If you’ve Googled “clear aligners” recently, you’ve probably come across the name SmileDirectClub. It is the biggest name in the mail-order aligner industry and is considered by many as Invisalign’s biggest competition.
SmileDirectClub is convenient to use, well-established, and with a price tag of just £1,739, it is significantly more affordable than in-office orthodontic treatments. We also love their permanent SmileShops, frequent pop-up shops, nighttime-only plan, and lifetime warranty.
But you still might find that you prefer their competition.
Since SmileDirectClub began operations in the UK in 2019 (and in some cases, before it did), several companies have hit the market offering at-home clear aligner therapy, often at lower prices and with special perks that set them apart. In this review, we’ll highlight the three best alternatives to SmileDirectClub and dig into their pros and cons.
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#1: Straight Teeth Direct
Straight Teeth Direct was founded in 2016. Their aligners are made in the UK, and they ship all around the globe. While they have a lot going for them, one prominent advantage is that they manufacture their aligners in stages, rather than making and shipping all the aligners at the start of treatment. This allows them to change their plans to address nuances in tooth movement and better perfect your final results.
They also factor in facial balance when designing their treatments, not just tooth-to-tooth relationships. This is a more holistic approach that ensures your smile enhances your overall appearance.
Throughout treatment, you’ll complete monthly check-ins with your assigned doctor, helping to replicate the in-office experience without the need to travel or schedule changes — though nothing can match being seen in person. The company guarantees their evaluation, impressions, replacements, and one round of refinements.
Straight Teeth Direct Advantages
- For one price, you get all the aligners you need for treatment plus one round of refinements, if you need them.
- They have multiple payment plans to choose from, letting you select the one best for your budget.
- Their customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive.
Straight Teeth Direct Drawbacks
- Most customers need to get started with an at-home impression kit because Straight Teeth Direct only has one physical location that offers teeth scanning (an alternative route to starting treatment).
- Their treatment might take slightly longer than some competitors.
#2: Virtuoso
Owned by the same company as Straight Teeth Direct, Virtuoso is one of the first to offer UK customers hybrid treatment not as an extra option, but as their standard approach. By incorporating both in-person appointments and remote oversight, their treatment is a unique blend of individualised patient care and convenience.
With every treatment, they include a Smart Dental Scope, which is about as close to in-person care as remote treatment gets. Plus, their app gives you direct access to experts. They might be slightly more expensive than other options, but you get a lot for your money.
Virtuoso Advantages:
- Virtuoso Aligners are owned by the same company as Straight Teeth Direct — so you can be confident they’re quality, research-backed products.
- They allow for flexible hybrid treatment, which combines the personalised care of a few in-office appointments with the superior convenience of remote oversight.
- Their dental scope allows for robust remote monitoring. Since it is small and easy to maneuver, you can capture all surfaces of your teeth in significant detail. It’s as close to in-person care as remote treatment gets.
- The Instant Dentist app gives you a direct line of communication to your doctor. Fully at-home treatments typically direct your questions to customer service representatives.
Virtuoso Drawbacks
- Compared to many other options, Virtuoso is pretty new, having launched in February 2022. This doesn’t mean it is a bad company, but there’s not much customer feedback out there yet.
- At £1,999, Virtuoso is more expensive than other options on this list. However, that price is lower than other treatments that incorporate in-person care.
#3: NewSmile
A big motivator for people considering remote clear aligners is the lower price tag compared to in-office options. And this is where NewSmile really stands out. Their all-day system costs just £1,395 and comes with extras that few other companies include, like an impression kit, aftercare retainers, and a whitening kit.
That, combined with their quality treatment and nighttime-only option, has helped NewSmile quickly make a name for themselves on the UK aligner market.
NewSmile Advantages
- NewSmile has the second lowest price of the companies we reviewed.
- They offer financing without a credit check, making treatment even more accessible.
- They offer convenient nighttime-only treatment, requiring just ten hours of daily wear.
NewSmile Drawbacks
- NewSmile doesn’t have any scanning locations, so you’ll need to start treatment with an at-home impression kit.
- NewSmile expanded to the UK later than some other companies, so most of their online reviews are from US and Canadian customers.
What About Invisalign?
Invisalign has always been the biggest name in clear aligner treatment. They were the first company to gain widespread recognition, and now they have providers in more than 90 countries. Since they first launched in the U.S. in 1998, they’ve corrected over 15 million smiles.
You might be wondering why Invisalign isn’t on this list. It’s because we don’t consider it to be a true alternative to SmileDirectClub.
SmileDirectClub is a remote treatment, meaning you can administer the entire treatment at home without in-person supervision. This translates into lower prices and greater freedom, but also a more limited treatment scope.
Invisalign is an in-office treatment. It requires frequent doctor’s appointments and can treat nearly the full range of orthodontic conditions, but it comes with a much higher price tag — around £4,500 in most cases.
While they both address misalignments, Invisalign and SmileDirectClub have different target markets. Potential SmileDirectClub customers are seeking convenient and affordable options for correcting mild-to-moderate misalignments. Invisalign, on the other hand, attracts people with more severe cases who prefer in-person care.
How Should I Evaluate My Options?
This is a quick look at some of the most important features of several at-home clear aligner companies operating in the UK. While we have those we prefer, the truth is that no option will always be the best choice for every person. This means you need to be able to evaluate each company carefully before making your decision. As you do, we suggest you focus on the following aspects:
- Effectiveness: This is the measure of how well a specific aligner company gets teeth to move into attractive and healthy positions. Look at who designs the treatment plans, where the aligners are made, and how they are designed.
- Affordability: At-home clear aligners are more affordable than traditional treatments, but a lot of factors contribute to pricing. Look at impression kits, aligners, retainers, whitening, discounts, financing, and more.
- Convenience: All remote treatments offer incredible convenience since you don’t need to disrupt your schedule for office visits. However, some companies offer additional features that make things easier. Look for in-person scans, remote monitoring, and treatment times.
- Appearance: Clear aligners are, by nature, less visible than metal braces. However, some companies designed their aligners to be less visible than the standard. Look at how they are cut along the gum line, their shininess, and whether they’re textured.
- Customer Friendliness: Due to the lack of in-person supervision, you want reliable remote support and guarantees. Look at company policies, remote monitoring programs, and customer service responsiveness.
Final Thoughts
SmileDirectClub is a great company with a long track record of results. There’s a reason that more than 1.5 million people have put their smiles in their hands.
At the same time, there are plenty of other quality companies you could work with, and one of them might be a better fit for you. If a company on this list caught your attention, check out in-depth reviews so you can make your decision with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features make for the most attractive aligners?
In terms of aesthetics, we prefer textured, matte aligners that are scalloped to match the gum line. These blend in best with the natural appearance of the teeth.
Which companies have nighttime-only options?
SmileDirectClub and NewSmile both have nighttime-only treatment options.
Which conditions do at-home aligners treat?
They can treat mild-to-moderate issues with crowding and spacing, usually just in the front six teeth.
Does the National Insurance cover at-home clear aligner treatment?
No, it does not. However, it sometimes covers in-office treatments if they are making corrections that improve dental or overall health.
How do I get started with at-home clear aligners?
You can either order an impression kit or — depending upon the company — get a 3D scan at one of their storefront locations.
Are remote clear aligners safe?
Yes, they are considered safe. This form of orthodontic treatment has been in use for over half a decade now and has excellent results.
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