Invisalign is the better choice for most people because a doctor plans and monitors it in person, and SmileDirectClub shut down in December 2023, so it's no longer an option. SDC was the budget pick, and that appeal was real. But the invisalign vs smile direct question has changed. Today it's really in-office care versus at-home aligners.
People still search smile direct club vs invisalign for good reasons. SDC cost far less. A company called SmileSet bought its technology. And thousands of customers were left mid-treatment when it closed. Below: the real cost gap, what each option could treat, and what to do if you were an SDC patient.
Table of contents
- Invisalign vs Smile Direct Club at a Glance
- Is Smile Direct Club Still in Business?
- The Main Difference Between Invisalign and Smile Direct: Who Supervises Your Treatment
- Were Smile Direct Aligners Made by Invisalign?
- What Each Option Can Treat
- Invisalign vs Smile Direct Cost
- Which Is Faster: Invisalign or Smile Direct?
- Is Invisalign Better Than Smile Direct? Our Honest Verdict
- Were You a Smile Direct Club Patient? What to Do Now
- What to do next
- Invisalign vs Smile Direct: Frequently Asked Questions
Invisalign vs Smile Direct Club at a Glance
Here's the short version, side by side.
| Factor | Invisalign | SmileDirectClub |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Available through trained doctors | Shut down in December 2023 |
| How treatment starts | In-person exam and iTero digital scan | At-home impression kit or in-store scan |
| Doctor oversight | In-office check-ins with your orthodontist | Remote review by a state-licensed dentist or orthodontist |
| Case types | Mild to complex, depending on your bite | Minor to moderate |
| Attachments and IPR | Used when your plan needs them | None in the aligners Align made for SDC |
| Typical time | 6–18 months at Diamond Braces (varies by case) | About 4–6 months |
| Typical cost | About $3,000–$8,000 | About $1,950 upfront, or more than $2,500 on the payment plan |
The biggest gap isn't the plastic. It's who examines you and who follows your case, and that's what the rest of this page unpacks.
Is Smile Direct Club Still in Business?
No. SmileDirectClub, often shortened to "Smile Club," no longer operates, so you can't start treatment with it today.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 29, 2023 (source: Bloomberg). On December 8, 2023, it announced the "incredibly difficult decision to wind down its global operations, effective immediately," as Forbes Health reported.
That ended new treatment overnight. It also means any smile club vs invisalign comparison that still treats SDC as a current option is out of date.
The more useful questions now are what happened to the people already in treatment, and who owns what SDC left behind.
What Happened to Patients in the Middle of Treatment
The shutdown landed on people partway through treatment. According to Fortune, orders that hadn't shipped were canceled, SmileDirectClub's Lifetime Smile Guarantee ended, and the company urged customers to see their local dentist or orthodontist.
New York's Attorney General later described the scale: "While tens of thousands of consumers were still receiving aligner treatment, the company announced that it was shutting down." Monthly payments kept being charged even though no treatment was being provided.
In December 2024, the New York Attorney General recovered $4.8 million for more than 28,000 consumers, including 2,265 New Yorkers.
Who Owns SmileDirectClub's Technology Now?
A company called SmileSet says it "acquired SmileDirectClub's… technology and assets." It also says it is "a distinct business entity" and that it "cannot honor SmileDirectClub's previous guarantees or warranties" (source: SmileSet).
Its model is at-home. You send impressions or a scan, and a "state-licensed dental professional" reviews your images and creates the plan. In September 2026, its site listed aligners starting at $995.
That's why today's version of this comparison isn't really Invisalign vs SDC. It's in-office treatment versus at-home treatment.
The Main Difference Between Invisalign and Smile Direct: Who Supervises Your Treatment
The main difference between Invisalign and Smile Direct is who supervises your treatment. With Invisalign, an orthodontist examines you in person, plans every move digitally and checks your progress in the office. SmileDirectClub relied on impression kits or scans plus remote reviews by a licensed dentist or orthodontist, so most customers didn't need an office visit during treatment.
That exam matters. In its December 2023 statement on direct-to-consumer aligners, the American Dental Association warned that "moving teeth without knowing all aspects of a patient's oral condition has the potential to cause bone loss, lost teeth, receding gums, bite problems, jaw pain, and other damaging and permanent issues."
An in-person exam is how an orthodontist checks your gums, bone and bite before a single tooth moves.
How In-Office Invisalign Works
Here's what treatment looks like when a doctor runs it from start to finish:
- Book a free consultation. There's no obligation to start.
- Get an in-person exam. Your orthodontist checks your teeth, bite and gums, with diagnostic records such as x-rays when your case calls for them.
- Get an iTero digital scan. No goopy impressions.
- Review your ClinCheck plan. Invisalign's software lets your provider map out every step in advance, using 3D models of your teeth.
- Receive your first aligners. They're typically ready 2–4 weeks after your scan.
- Check in at the office. Your orthodontist tracks how your teeth are moving.
- Finish with refinements and a retainer. Extra aligners fine-tune the result if needed, then a retainer holds it.
The aligners are made from SmartTrack, which Invisalign describes as "a proprietary material that moves your teeth more predictably and comfortably." When a tooth needs more grip, your orthodontist adds SmartForce attachments, "small, tooth-colored pieces that help aligners to move your teeth more effectively."
It's a well-worn path. Align says it has helped doctors treat approximately 22.8 million patients with the Invisalign System. Diamond Braces is a Diamond+ Top 1% Invisalign Provider, and licensed orthodontists deliver and monitor Invisalign at Diamond Braces in the office.
How the Smile Direct Model Worked
SmileDirectClub was built for convenience. You started with a $59 at-home impression kit or an in-store 3D scan at a SmileShop. A "state-licensed dentist or orthodontist" reviewed your plan and progress photos remotely, and your aligners were "sent to your home all at once" (source: Forbes Health).
Office visits weren't part of the plan. SDC said "most SmileDirectClub customers don't need to make any additional visits to a dental office during their clear aligner treatment, aside from regular dental cleanings."
That's a big reason it cost less. It's also the part the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) questions. The first item on its consumer checklist asks whether "comprehensive diagnostic records like x-rays" are taken before treatment starts. For the wider category, see our guide to mail-order aligners vs Invisalign.
Were Smile Direct Aligners Made by Invisalign?
Not in the way most people think. Align Technology, the company behind Invisalign, manufactured SmileDirectClub's aligners for a few years, but they were never Invisalign.
In July 2016, Align took "a 17% stake in SmileDirectClub for $46.7 million" and agreed to supply what its own announcement called "Non-Invisalign Clear Aligners." The spec was narrow: "up to 20 stages without attachments or interproximal reduction (IPR), and will be manufactured by Align per SmileDirectClub's specifications for minor tooth movement" (source: Align Technology).
Align kept its own brand separate: "The Invisalign brand and system of clear aligners will continue to be available exclusively for in office treatment with Invisalign-trained orthodontists and general dentists."
The partnership didn't last. In March 2019, an arbitrator ordered Align to close its Invisalign stores and give up its stake in SDC, while the supply agreement stayed in place through 2019 (source: Align Technology). That agreement expired at the end of 2019 (source: The Motley Fool).
So: same manufacturer for a while, but a different product and a different protocol.
Why Attachments and IPR Matter
Those two missing pieces explain a lot.
Attachments are small, tooth-colored bumps bonded to certain teeth. They give the aligner something to push against, which helps it rotate a tooth or move it up or down.
IPR (gentle polishing between teeth) removes a tiny amount of enamel to make room when teeth are crowded. Your orthodontist does it in the office, only when your plan calls for it.
Without either tool, aligners have fewer ways to move teeth. That fits Align's own description of SDC's trays: made "for minor tooth movement." If you're curious, here's how Invisalign attachments work day to day.
What Each Option Can Treat
SmileDirectClub's lower price came from treating a narrower set of cases. That's the heart of whether Invisalign is better than Smile Direct Club for you: it depends on what your bite needs.
Cases At-Home Aligners Were Designed For
SDC marketed its aligners for "minor to moderate" teeth correction (source: Forbes Health), and Align built them "for minor tooth movement." In practice, that meant cases such as:
- Small gaps between teeth
- Mild crowding
- Minor shifting after earlier braces
The catch is deciding what counts as mild. That takes an exam of your teeth, gums and bite, not a selfie. A photo can't show how your top and bottom teeth actually meet.
Cases That Need an Orthodontist
These situations typically need an orthodontist to plan treatment in person:
- Bite problems, such as overbite, underbite, crossbite or open bite
- Teeth that are significantly rotated
- Moderate to severe crowding
- Gum or bone concerns
- Crowns, implants or other dental work already in your mouth
- Kids and teens who are still growing
The AAO's consumer checklist asks how you'll know whether your "teeth and gums are healthy enough for orthodontic treatment." That's an exam question, not a checkbox.
None of this rules out clear aligners. Often, these cases can still be treated with Invisalign or braces. They just need a licensed orthodontist to plan the moves and watch them happen. If you're unsure where you fit, start with who is a good Invisalign candidate. Your orthodontist will confirm at your consult.
Invisalign vs Smile Direct Cost
SmileDirectClub cost about $1,950 upfront, or more than $2,500 on its payment plan. Invisalign typically costs $3,000 to $8,000, depending on your case.
The gap pays for what in-office care adds: an in-person exam, a doctor's digital plan and office check-ins as your teeth move.
What Smile Direct Club Cost
According to Forbes Health, SDC treatment cost $1,950 as a single payment, and a retainer cost $99.
The monthly plan cost more. New York's Attorney General described SmilePay as "a $250 up-front payment, followed by 26 monthly installment payments of approximately $89 per month, for a total of more than $2,500."
If you're comparing monthly costs, that's the figure to use.
What Invisalign Costs at Diamond Braces
Invisalign typically costs $3,000 to $8,000, depending on how complex your case is.
At Diamond Braces, Invisalign is available from $120/month with insurance, with $0 down through CareCredit financing (subject to approval). Your consultation is free.
Diamond's pricing includes a +$1,000 Invisalign upgrade fee. It covers lab costs and includes refinements, the extra aligners some cases need to fine-tune the result.
Your exact total depends on your bite and your coverage, and you get it at your consultation. You can see how treatment is priced on our Invisalign pricing page and compare $0-down financing options.
Good to know: insurance isn't required to finance. If you have both, insurance offsets part of the cost and financing spreads out the rest.
The Cost Nobody Budgets For: Retreatment
A lower starting price only saves money if the treatment works the first time.
In the AAO's annual public policy survey, "77% of members have treated patients needing retreatment after using DTC aligners without an initial in-person exam," as DrBicuspid reported in September 2024.
That's a survey of orthodontists, not patients, so it doesn't tell you how often at-home treatment goes wrong. It does tell you retreatment is common enough that most orthodontists have seen it.
If a case has to be redone, the upfront savings can disappear.
Does Insurance Cover Invisalign or Smile Direct?
Some dental plans with orthodontic benefits cover part of Invisalign. That benefit usually comes as a lifetime orthodontic maximum, typically $1,000 to $3,000, and what you get depends on your plan.
Medicaid generally doesn't cover Invisalign, though coverage depends on your plan. SmileDirectClub no longer operates, so there's nothing left to bill.
Diamond Braces accepts hundreds of insurance plans, including Medicaid. Our Smile Concierge team verifies your benefits and handles the claims and billing, so you know what you'll owe before you commit. See the insurance plans we accept.
Which Is Faster: Invisalign or Smile Direct?
SmileDirectClub was usually faster. Its treatment typically took "four to six months," according to Forbes Health. Invisalign at Diamond Braces takes 6–18 months, depending on your case.
The difference wasn't better technology. SDC only treated minor movements, so there was less to do. Faster meant less work, not a better result.
A truly mild case can be short with Invisalign too. Your orthodontist gives you a realistic estimate at your consult, and results vary by case.
Once you decide to start, the wait is short: first aligners are typically ready 2–4 weeks after your scan. Here's how soon your first trays arrive.
Is Invisalign Better Than Smile Direct? Our Honest Verdict
For most people, yes. Invisalign is better than Smile Direct because it starts with a diagnosis, it can treat a wider range of bites, and a doctor follows your case in person.
That doesn't make SDC's appeal imaginary. It cost less, it skipped office visits, and for some mild cases that trade-off made sense to people. The weak spot was the missing in-person exam and follow-up.
So is Smile Direct better than Invisalign? Only on upfront price and convenience, not on oversight.
If you're asking which is better, Invisalign or Smile Direct, the answer today is simpler: SDC is gone. The real choice is between in-office care and another at-home brand. If cost is your sticking point, our guide on whether Invisalign is worth it walks through the trade-offs.
Whatever you choose, ask the right questions first.
5 Questions to Ask Any At-Home Aligner Company
The AAO's consumer alert lists 13 questions to ask any direct-to-consumer orthodontic company. These five cover the biggest gaps:
- Are diagnostic records like x-rays taken before treatment? X-rays show roots and bone that a photo can't.
- Does the fee include any in-person visits? If not, no one checks your progress face to face.
- Do you know the name of the dentist or orthodontist on your case? You should know who is responsible for your teeth.
- Who is responsible for detecting problems during treatment? Someone has to spot a tooth that isn't moving as planned.
- Is there a dentist or orthodontist near you for an emergency? A cracked aligner or a sore spot shouldn't mean waiting on an email.
If a company can't answer these clearly, that tells you something.
Were You a Smile Direct Club Patient? What to Do Now
If SDC closed while you were mid-treatment, that wasn't your fault. An unfinished case can usually be picked up by an orthodontist, and starting Invisalign after Smile Direct Club, or braces, is a common path.
If Your Treatment Was Never Finished
Start with an in-person exam. Your orthodontist looks at your teeth, bite and gums, takes an iTero scan to see exactly where your teeth ended up, and uses diagnostic records such as x-rays if your case needs them.
From there, you'll hear your options. That might be Invisalign or braces, depending on what moved and what didn't. Your orthodontist will confirm at your consult. Don't count on reusing old SDC aligners: a new plan starts from where your teeth are now.
If you still have your SDC records or leftover aligners, bring them along.
Your first consultation is free, and there's no obligation to start.
Find offices across NY, NJ, PA and CT, or get a free quote in a few minutes.
If Your Teeth Have Shifted Since
Teeth can drift back if you stopped wearing a retainer or never finished the plan. Sometimes the change is small. Sometimes it affects how your teeth bite together.
Here's more on why teeth shift back and how it's prevented.
An exam tells you which situation you're in: a new retainer, a short round of aligners or a fuller plan.
If You Need a New Retainer
If your teeth are still where SDC left them, a new retainer can hold them there. Diamond Braces offers several retainer options:
- Essix (clear, removable): $250
- Vivera (clear, removable): $300
- Fixed/Permanent (bonded wire behind the teeth): $350
Each retainer includes 2 virtual retainer checks. Retainers are usually included with covered orthodontic treatment, and your coverage depends on your plan.
If your teeth have already moved, get an exam first. A retainer holds teeth in place. It isn't designed to move them back.
What to do next
Want a second opinion from a Diamond+ Top 1% Invisalign Provider? That's the simplest next step, whether you're comparing options or picking up where SmileDirectClub left off. The cheaper option is gone, and what matters most now is who examines you and follows your case.
Diamond Braces is orthodontics-only, with licensed orthodontists, 175,000+ smiles and 65+ offices in NY, NJ, PA and CT. We accept hundreds of insurance plans, including Medicaid, and offer $0 down with financing. You can start with Virtual Start™: snap photos and submit your insurance from home. Your treatment itself happens in the office, with a licensed orthodontist.
Your consultation is free, and you'll leave knowing your options and your price. More than braces, we build confidence.
Find offices across NY, NJ, PA and CT, or get a free quote in a few minutes.
Find your nearest Diamond Braces office — 65+ locations across NY, NJ, PA and CT.
Invisalign vs Smile Direct: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smile Direct just as good as Invisalign?
For most cases, no. SmileDirectClub's trays were made for minor tooth movement, with no attachments or IPR, and treatment usually ran without in-office visits. Invisalign is planned and monitored in person by a doctor, so it can handle more complex bites. SmileDirectClub also stopped operating in December 2023.
Is Smile Direct Club still in business?
No. SmileDirectClub filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2023 and announced on December 8, 2023, that it was winding down its global operations. Orders that hadn't shipped were canceled, and SmileDirectClub's Lifetime Smile Guarantee ended. A separate company, SmileSet, says it bought SDC's technology and assets.
Is there a lawsuit against Smile Direct Club?
There have been several legal actions. In June 2023, SmileDirectClub paid $500,000 to settle a Washington, D.C. case over the nondisclosure agreements it required for refunds. In December 2024, New York's Attorney General recovered $4.8 million for more than 28,000 customers who were charged after the company shut down.
Were SmileDirectClub aligners made by Invisalign?
Align Technology, Invisalign's maker, manufactured them from 2016 until their supply agreement ended in 2019, but they weren't Invisalign. Align described them as non-Invisalign aligners with up to 20 stages and no attachments or IPR, built to SmileDirectClub's specifications for minor tooth movement.
Why is Smile Direct cheaper than Invisalign?
SmileDirectClub cost about $1,950 upfront because its model left out in-office visits and was built for minor tooth movement. Invisalign includes a doctor's exam, a digital treatment plan, attachments when needed and in-office check-ins. That's why it typically costs $3,000 to $8,000, depending on your case.
Is $3,000 a good price for Invisalign?
It's on the low end. Invisalign typically costs $3,000 to $8,000, depending on how much your teeth need to move and how long treatment lasts. Before comparing quotes, ask what's included: scans, attachments, refinements and retainers. At Diamond Braces, Invisalign is available from $120 a month with insurance.
Can an orthodontist fix Smile Direct Club results?
Often, yes. An orthodontist starts with an in-person exam of your teeth, bite and gums, then recommends Invisalign, braces or a new retainer based on what shifted or was left unfinished. In an AAO member survey, 77% of orthodontists had treated patients needing retreatment after DTC aligners used without an in-person exam.
Does insurance cover Invisalign or Smile Direct?
Some dental plans with orthodontic benefits cover part of Invisalign, up to a lifetime orthodontic maximum that's typically $1,000 to $3,000. Medicaid generally doesn't cover Invisalign, and coverage depends on your plan. SmileDirectClub no longer operates. At Diamond Braces, the Smile Concierge team verifies your benefits for you.
