Invisalign Express vs. Six Month Smiles: How They Actually Compare

For years, orthodontic treatment was a one-track process. You went to the orthodontist for metal braces, and that was that. But after Invisalign produced the first mainstream clear aligner system in 1997, the industry evolved rapidly. New companies started finding more convenient, affordable ways to craft and use clear aligners. Of these companies, Six Month Smiles was one of the first.

Invisalign didn’t sit back and enjoy their success either. Over the past two decades, they’ve been consistently improving their clear aligner treatment and expanding the options they offer their providers. They designed Invisalign Express, to correct minor cases in just a few months. While Invisalign Express and Six Month Smiles might seem similar on the surface, they’re more different than you might think. This comparison guide covers all the most important differences between them.

Company Overviews

Invisalign is an industry pioneer, the longest-standing and most widely known company in the industry. For years, they’ve delivered a highly versatile and powerful clear aligner treatment available. And in 2012, they introduced a more affordable option with Invisalign Express.

Invisalign Express treatment includes many of the same procedures as the original Invisalign, just dialed back. Your dentist will still scan your teeth and create your aligners, and you’ll still need to schedule regular office visits. But, the timeline is much shorter — typically just a few months. Just know that it’s only suitable for minor misalignments, and not every provider offers it.

Six Month Smiles is the brainchild of its CEO and founder, Dr. Ryan Swain. In the mid-2000s, Dr. Swain had patients who were seeking less-visible alternatives to traditional braces and cheaper, more convenient alternatives to Invisalign. So, he began developing his own treatment that could take the best qualities of both braces and Invisalign, and Six Month Smiles was born. Initially, Six Month Smiles only offered clear braces, but now they offer clear aligners as well.

Scope of Treatment Comparison

One of the most pressing questions you probably have about these treatments is “do they work?” You have an ideal smile in mind, and you should be confident that your treatment provider can make it happen. The first step is determining whether they can correct your specific misalignment. Even though Invisalign Express and Six Month Smiles can’t treat severe cases like Invisalign’s full treatment, you can count on either to handle mild cases — and with Six Month Smiles, even a little more.

What Can They Treat?

Invisalign Express comes in three different packages — Express 5, Express 7, and Express 10 — each named for the number of aligners they contain. Invisalign’s Comprehensive treatment usually takes 20+ aligners, so dentists use Express for much milder cases. According to Align Technology, it’s primarily intended for:

• Relapses: This is when a patient had previous orthodontic treatment, but didn’t wear their retainer enough, causing their teeth to shift back. Typically, these misalignments are very minor.
• Anterior, Aesthetic Alignment: This means minor, cosmetic changes to the front 6–8 teeth.

Typically, this means dental gaps or crowding of 2mm or less — so it won’t work for severe cases or ones that involve a bite issue like underbite or crossbite. Ultimately, your provider will determine whether Invisalign Express is a suitable option for your case.

Six Month Smiles is similar. They say their goal is “to accomplish most, but not all, of what would be done with traditional orthodontic treatment.” The company sets their treatment window to 6–10 months, so it usually won’t work for jawbone shifts, molar movements, root repositioning, rotations, and other Class III malocclusions.

According to the company’s FAQs for clinicians, their aligners can treat:

• Crowding between 4 and 10 millimeters
• Spacing between 3 and 7 millimeters
• Mild anterior crossbites
• Posterior crossbites with favorable root positions
• Limited cases of open and deep bite, when elastics are incorporated

On their website, Six Month Smiles mentions very limited cases where their aligners can move the posterior teeth. However, they do not emphasize these cases, and some clinicians say the system can only move the frontal teeth.

Additional Attachments

One of the top advantages of traditional in-office treatments is that they allow dentists to supplement your aligners with other attachments. But because of their short treatment times and minimal office visits, Invisalign Express and Six Month Smiles don’t always incorporate the same attachments as full treatments. Fortunately, they don’t often need them, as they typically treat minor conditions anyway.

Both companies can, however, incorporate engagers. These attachments are tiny, tooth-colored shapes that help improve the aligners’ control and range of tooth movement. So while dentists typically use them for minor cases, they’re capable of more complex dental shifts — although if that’s what you need, your dentist may recommend Invisalign or another comprehensive aligner plan.

Clinical Oversight

Both companies have built a lot of dentist involvement into their treatments, giving them resources, support, and options for customization.

After your Invisalign provider scans your teeth, Invisalign’s ClinCheck software will create your treatment plan. Then, your dentist will tweak it, and they can modify it any time to better suit your needs. Many providers request office visits every 4–10 weeks so they can make sure your teeth are moving as planned, add attachments, and alter your treatment plan (if necessary). Since the timeline for Express is so short, you might end up only needing a couple of appointments.

Six Month Smiles providers typically have a similar setup. Your provider will scan your teeth, then send the scans to Six Month Smiles. If they’ve chosen to use the company’s CONFIDEX digital treatment planning (not every provider does), a team of orthodontists will digitally analyze your case and — If they feel you’re a good fit — design your treatment plan. After that, you’ll make appointments to visit the office every 4–10 weeks, depending on your case and your dentist’s preferences.

Manufacturer Quality

Invisalign’s parent company, Align Technology, is the largest and most experienced clear aligner producer in the US. They’ve been creating high-quality aligners since the 90s, and they’re always improving their products. Currently, Align Technology uses a patented material called SmartTrack for Invisalign and Invisalign Express, which the company claims moves your teeth more precisely and comfortably.

Six Month Smiles makes their own aligners using Zendura FLX plastic — from the same company Invisalign once sourced for their materials. Zendura claims their FLX material retains 50% greater force over time than other materials. One 2020 study confirms that it loses less force than certain competing plastics, but it didn’t include SmartTrack, so it’s tough to say how they compare directly.

Affordability Comparison

Most often, orthodontic treatments that require office visits and direct dentist oversight aren’t cheap. Fitting them into a tight budget might not even seem realistic.

There’s no denying that Invisalign Express and Six Month Smiles are an investment, but there are ways to make teeth straightening much more affordable. Their initial prices can be intimidating, but you’ll want to dig deeper to evaluate insurance and financing options, as they can make treatment significantly more reasonable. On average, Invisalign Express seems to be the more affordable option, but not by much.

Sticker Price

Sticker price is the total cost of your treatment, and it’s tough to nail down for in-office options like Invisalign Express and Six Month Smiles. The cost of these treatments depends mostly on your particular dentist and the complexity of your condition. On their FAQ page, Six Month Smiles says their average cost is $3,500–$5,000. Invisalign doesn’t give a range for their Express treatment, but based on our research, it looks like it can be anywhere between $1,500 and $4,000.

What About Insurance?

Insurance companies sometimes consider Invisalign Express and Six Month Smiles treatment “alternative” or “specialty” procedures, so they might not be as likely to cover treatment in full. Plus, if your case is relatively minor, there’s a chance that insurers might consider it cosmetic and not medically necessary. Still, if your dental insurance includes orthodontic coverage, there’s a decent chance that you’ll receive partial coverage for either treatment.

But you shouldn’t just assume! Be sure to speak with both your insurance company and your dentist’s office before diving into treatment. If you’re covered, the office will handle insurance payments and paperwork on your behalf.

Financing Options

If you don’t have a couple of thousand dollars cash in your wallet, you’re probably looking for a way to break up your payments. Fortunately, many dentist and orthodontist offices have payment plan options for Invisalign Express or Six Month Smiles.

There are also third-party companies that offer financing for orthodontic treatments, but these companies often require a credit check to qualify; so if you’re not confident with your credit score, they might not be a good option. Plus, their plans can come with high interest rates, and you’ll end up paying much more in the long run.

Convenience Comparison

It seems like life gets busier every day for adults who juggle work, family, and social responsibilities. Many industries are attempting to make their products and services more convenient, and the clear aligner industry has followed suit.

Clear aligner companies worked for years to develop easier and more accessible treatments, resulting in modified plans like Invisalign Express and Six Month Smiles. We don’t think they’re as convenient as at-home options, but with shorter treatment times and fewer office visits, each of these options presents a great alternative for busy adults seeking efficient treatment without sacrificing dentist face-time.

Startup Process

To get the ball rolling with Invisalign Express of Six Month Smiles, all you need to do is schedule a consultation with a provider to find out if the treatment is right for you. If you’re a good fit, your dentist can scan your teeth right there in the office and begin designing your aligners.

Visiting your dentist is often easier than making molds of your teeth on your own, like you’d have to for most at-home aligners. Invisalign has a lot more providers than Six Month Smiles, so it might be easier to find one. Just remember that not every Invisalign provider offers the Express option.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Invisalign Express and Six Month Smiles focus on mild conditions that they can confidently correct within a short timeframe. Six Month Smiles isn’t shy about their treatment time — it’s right there in the name. This doesn’t mean that every single case will wrap up in exactly six months, though. According to the company’s FAQ page, treatment can take anywhere between six and ten months.

You can expect similar results from Invisalign Express. Your treatment time will depend on whether you’re using the five, seven, or ten-aligner option, but it typically ranges from three to six months, usually closer to six. During this time, you’ll need to visit your dentist around every 4–10 weeks.

Comfort & Daily Wear

Invisalign claims their SmartTrack plastic is more comfortable and moves teeth more predictably than other materials. Based on online reviews, it appears that some customers do find SmartTrack slightly more comfortable than Zendura — which Six Month Smiles uses — although it seems like both are top-quality materials.

Appearance Comparison

One of clear aligners’ best features is that they’re hardly visible. So, you can smile with confidence at work, social gatherings, and other special occasions. However, not all aligners look exactly the same.

Companies have been developing ways to make their aligners less noticeable for years, but each brand has their own ideas about what looks best. In many cases, it largely depends on each customer’s specific tastes and style. So, when considering your options, you’ll want to evaluate your own preferences.

Aligner Material

We already mentioned that Invisalign Express and Six Month Smiles use different plastics in their aligners. Invisalign’s aligners are slightly frosted and textured, while Six Month Smiles says that their aligners have “exceptional clarity.”

Your teeth are naturally porous, so they have matte surfaces. In our opinion, frosted, textured aligners better match these surfaces, while smooth, transparent aligners can seem artificially shiny. But this depends on your personal preferences. Some customers report preferring shiny aligners because of the way they make their teeth gleam.

Aligner Cut

There are two methods for cutting and shaping clear aligners. The first is trimming them to match the gum line, and the second is to cut them straight across the top so that they slightly overlap the gums. Both companies scallop their aligners to match your gums, which we think can make them less visible than the alternatives.

Attachments

In certain cases, dentists might apply attachments to supplement your Invisalign Express or Six Month Smiles aligners. While these small attachments empower more complex dental shifts, they also increase visibility. Attachments are often tooth-colored, so they don’t stand out too much, but observant bystanders might still notice them.

Clear Aligners vs. Braces

As we’ve already noted, Six Month Smiles also offers braces. Braces involve brackets and wires that are affixed to your teeth, so they’re much more visible than clear aligners. But as far as braces go, we think Six Month Smiles does a good job of making them discreet. They use clear brackets and tooth-colored wires, so the hardware blends in well and is less noticeable than metal braces. Still, if appearance is one of your priorities, we’d suggest going with aligners.

Patient Experience Comparison

Straightening your teeth can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you choose a less traditional treatment. You might be wondering what will happen if something goes wrong, how your office visits will go, and how your dentist will ensure your results. Although the quality of care may vary, depending on the practice you choose, we think the in-person care you’ll receive during Invisalign Express or Six Month Smiles treatment is typically highly personalized and helpful.

Customer Service

Invisalign and Six Month Smiles each have customer care teams available by email. But with issues related to your specific case, you’ll want to contact your dentist instead. During either treatment, your primary point of contact will be your dentist or orthodontist’s office, who will field any questions that come up. They handle your treatment, billing, records, and more, so they’re knowledgeable about your case and equipped to handle any issues that might arise.

Oversight

You’ll be visiting your dentist or orthodontist once every 4–10 weeks (on average) throughout Invisalign Express or Six Month Smiles treatment. They will examine your teeth, fit you for new aligners, adjust your clear braces, and/or modify your treatment if necessary. It might be inconvenient to schedule and attend these visits, but the peace of mind that you get from regular oversight can be worth it. Plus, it allows you to ask your dentist questions and address concerns on the spot instead of going back and forth via phone or email.

Warranty & Refund Policy

Since dentists administer and monitor both treatments, the chances that you’ll end up disappointed in the results are fairly low. Even so, there’s always a possibility that you might be dissatisfied. Neither Invisalign nor Six Month Smiles have a company-wide refund policy.

If your dentist approves you for either treatment, it means that your condition is minor enough to resolve on a short timeline, so you should see the results you want. But teeth don’t always move as expected and occasionally, cases require refinements. Since Invisalign Express is a limited treatment, designing and creating additional refinement aligners may cost extra.

The Six Month Smiles “Smile Promise” says that they won’t charge you or your dentist for these additional aligners, as long as you followed your wear schedule exactly, kept good oral hygiene, and attended all the required appointments. If you did all that, you probably won’t have to pay anything more. If you didn’t, you might end up with another bill.

Which Should You Choose?

When you’re looking for a blend of efficiency and careful oversight, and your condition is relatively minor, we consider Invisalign Express and Six Month Smiles great options. We think each one can deliver quality care for certain patients. Plus, they’re both well-established and have a long history of satisfied customers.

That said, there are differences in their aligners’ materials and the procedures that make them better-suited for certain conditions. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal smile goals and priorities.