Adults want alternatives to braces to fix their smiles. Though we're aware of the need to protect our oral and orthopedic hygiene, the idea of braces can lead adults to put off proper teeth alignment treatment. We want straight teeth without a mouthful of metal.
Today, there are several alternatives to braces for teeth alignment. People have chosen clear, virtually invisible teeth alignment molds that straighten our smiles without metal for years. Two of the most popular invisible aligners are Invisalign and Smilelign.
What are the differences between Smilelign vs. Invisalign? These products have surprised patients worldwide with their results. Most patients praise these treatments as having been a great alternative to braces. Though they are quite similar in form and function, there are some differences for patients to consider when choosing between the two.
What is Smilelign?
How can we compare Smilelign vs. Invisalign?
Smilelign is widely popular in the UK. These invisible molds sit inside of your mouth during the day and straighten your teeth – the same way braces do. They are removable when you eat or brush your teeth.
Treatment begins with a 3D scan of your mouth. Your dentist will determine if you are a good fit for Smilelign treatment. From here, the dentist will create pre-aligners. These are initial molds made for your mouth that will simulate the feeling of Smileligners. You will try these on and see if you like the fit or if they need adjusting.
After this test, you can determine if you want to commit to the full Smilelign treatment. The treatment cost will ultimately depend on how many aligners will be necessary to straighten your smile.
How Does Smilelign Compare to Invisalign?
The main differences between Smilelign and Invisalign are in the initial stages of treatment and the cost of each treatment.
With Smilelign, the initial pre-aligners will help you determine if the aligners' fit is comfortable enough for you to use. Invisalign offers no initial test molds for you to try on before you commit to treatment. These pre-aligners cost between $175 and $234.
Invisalign has an assessment tool on their website that will help you determine if you are a good fit for treatment. You can get this data in just minutes. Smilelign requires you to visit your dentist to see if you are the right candidate for treatment.
Cost
There is also a difference in cost between Smilelign vs. Invisalign. The cost of Smilelign is between $1170 for simpler cases to $2926 for treatment. You can compare this cost to Invisalign that costs, on average, between $3,000 to $5,000 for treatment.
Smilelign is undoubtedly more affordable. However, treatment can take longer if the pre-aligners are not comfortable enough the first time and require adjusting. Both products accomplish the same task, however. The selection of either can come down to how much you're willing to spend for the treatment and which options are available through your dentist.
Smilelign and Invisalign have both won high praise with consumers. Reviewers of both treatments say that both molds took some getting used to initially but eventually became more comfortable. Reviews also state that patients were ultimately satisfied with their straighter teeth.
Sources and References
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[1]
Clinical effectiveness of Invisalign® orthodontic treatment: a systematic reviewProgress in Orthodonticshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6160377/
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[2]
Patient experiences with clear aligners: a scoping reviewThe European Journal of Orthodonticshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12001029/
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[3]
A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapiesBMC Oral Healthhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6343314/
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[4]
A Comparative Study on the Efficiency of Clear Aligners Versus Conventional Braces in Adult Orthodontic PatientsJournal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Scienceshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11805330/
All sources accessed and verified on . Medical information reviewed for accuracy and compliance with current guidelines.
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Reviewed by Dr. Nasim Mechoui , BDS (Bristol)
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