Smile Direct Club vs Candid: The Ultimate Aligner Showdown
Hey there, fellow smile seekers! If you‘re reading this, chances are you‘re considering straightening your teeth with at-home invisible aligners. As someone who‘s tried both Smile Direct Club and Candid (and spent countless hours researching), I‘m here to give you the lowdown on how these two popular brands stack up.
We‘ll dive into all the juicy details – from first impressions (pun intended) to the final results. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to confidently choose the best brand for your unique smile goals and lifestyle. Let‘s get this smile party started!
Smile Direct Club vs Candid: At a Glance
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, here‘s a quick overview of the key similarities and differences between Smile Direct Club and Candid:
| Feature | Smile Direct Club | Candid |
|---|---|---|
| Invisible aligners | ✓ | ✓ |
| At-home impression kit | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free 3D teeth scan option | ✓ | ✓ |
| Treatment plan created by orthodontists | ✓ | ✓ |
| Approved for mild to moderate cases | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accepts HSA/FSA | ✓ | ✓ |
| Avg treatment time | 4-6 months | 6 months |
| Avg cost | $1950 | $1895 |
| Monthly financing options | ✓ | ✓ |
| 100% orthodontist-directed | X | ✓ |
| Progress check-ins every 90 days | ✓ | Every 14 days |
| Nighttime-only aligner plan | ✓ | X |
| Physical locations | 300+ | 13 |
| Premium whitening included | ✓ | ✓ |
As you can see, Smile Direct Club and Candid have a lot in common! But there are some key differences worth noting, which we‘ll unpack further.
The Journey to a Straighter Smile
I know you‘re dying to get your hands (er, teeth) on some aligners, but there are a few important steps to complete first! Here‘s how the process compares for Smile Direct Club vs Candid:
Step 1: The Smile Assessment
First things first, you‘ll need to find out if you‘re a candidate for clear aligners. Both Smile Direct Club and Candid have a short online quiz that asks about your age, dental history, and what you‘re hoping to fix (crowding, spacing, bite issues, etc). It takes less than a minute and is actually kind of fun!
I did the quizzes for both brands and was told I was a "great candidate" thanks to some mild crowding in my lower teeth. Woo!
If the quiz gives you a thumbs up, the next step is to get a 3D scan or impression of your teeth. You‘ve got two options:
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Order an impression kit to DIY at home. The kit costs $59 from Smile Direct Club or $95 from Candid, and includes everything you need to make molds of your top and bottom teeth. Personally, I found Candid‘s kit to be a bit easier to use thanks to their handy cheek stretcher and extra putty.
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Book a free visit to get a 3D scan. Smile Direct Club has 300+ SmileShop locations across the country, while Candid has about 13 Studio locations. During your 30-minute appointment, a trained technician will use a fancy wand-like camera to create a digital map of your teeth. It‘s super quick, painless, and kinda mesmerizing to see your bite on the big screen!
I opted for the 3D scans with both brands for the sake of convenience (and because I‘m a sucker for free stuff). The SmileShop and Candid Studio experiences were very similar – friendly staff, modern vibes, and lots of before/after pics to get you pumped for your new smile.
Step 2: Crafting Your Custom Treatment Plan
Once your scans or impressions are complete, they‘ll be reviewed by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to create your treatment plan. This is where Candid stands out, since they work exclusively with orthodontists (teeth-straightening specialists with 2-3 years of extra training). Meanwhile, Smile Direct Club works with both general dentists and orthodontists.
I personally liked knowing an orthodontist was overseeing every step of my Candid treatment. It gave me extra peace of mind!
Within about 72 hours, Smile Direct Club will send you a digital preview of your new smile. Candid takes a bit longer – around 2 weeks – but I thought the extra level of detail in my treatment plan was worth the wait. Both brands clearly explain each step of the process and how long it will take.
I had a few adjustments made to my Candid plan (I wanted to focus more on fixing an overbite), and the orthodontist happily tweaked it to my liking. Smile Direct Club also allows revisions if you‘re not totally happy with your projected results.
Step 3: Time to Meet Your Aligners!
Once you give the green light on your treatment plan, your custom aligners will be produced and shipped to your door. Smile Direct Club aligners are made from BPA-free plastic by Align Technology (the makers of Invisalign). Candid‘s aligners are 3D-printed at a state-of-the-art orthodontic lab using high-quality, BPA-free plastics.
From unboxing my aligners, I could tell both brands put a lot of thought into their packaging and instructions. Smile Direct Club includes a handy booklet and aligner case, while Candid won me over with their chic toiletry bag, cheek stretcher, and free whitening pen (a $25 value!).
Both brands also have user-friendly apps to help you stay on track with treatment. I‘m especially fond of Candid‘s app, which sends personalized reminders and lets you upload aligner selfies for your orthodontist to review.
Step 4: Grin and Wear It
Now for the fun part – actually wearing your aligners! You‘ll need to pop them in for 22 hours per day, only removing to eat, drink, brush and floss. I‘m not gonna lie, the first few days can be a bit uncomfortable as your teeth adjust. But the discomfort is totally normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain meds.
One big perk of Smile Direct Club is their Nighttime Aligners option, which only need to be worn for 10 continuous hours per day (aka while you sleep). I have several friends who went this route and loved the flexibility it offered. Candid doesn‘t currently offer a nighttime-only option.
Step 5: Checking In On Your Progress
With Smile Direct Club, you‘ll have virtual check-ins via the SDC app every 90 days. You‘ll snap some photos of your teeth wearing the aligners, and a dentist or orthodontist will review them to keep your smile on track.
Candid takes a slightly different approach with their Remote Monitoring program. Every 14 days, you‘ll complete a virtual check-in via the CandidApp where you‘ll send photos to your orthodontist and receive personalized feedback. I really appreciated the extra accountability and knowing my doctor was keeping such a close eye on my progress!
Both brands make it easy to get in touch with their customer support teams via phone, email, or chat if any issues arise during treatment. I had to reach out to Smile Direct Club at one point because an aligner wasn‘t fitting quite right, and they promptly sent me a replacement free of charge.
Let‘s Talk Numbers
I know what you‘re thinking: "This all sounds great, but how much is it gonna cost me?" The good news is, both Smile Direct Club and Candid are significantly more affordable than braces, which can run you $5,000 or more!
Here‘s the scoop on pricing:
Smile Direct Club:
- One-time cost: $1950
- SmilePay monthly payments: $89/month for 24 months + $250 deposit
- Impression kit: $59
- Retainers: $99 per set
Candid:
- One-time cost: $1895
- Monthly payments: Starting at $99/month for 24 months + $399 deposit (varies based on credit check)
- Starter kit: $95
- Retainers: $99 per set
As you can see, the base cost for Smile Direct Club and Candid are very comparable. Candid does have a slightly higher deposit and impression kit cost. However, I felt the extra $36 for Candid‘s starter kit was worth it for the cheek stretcher and bonus whitening pen.
Both brands also offer financing options through third-party lenders like Affirm, which can help make treatment even more affordable by spreading the cost over 24-36 months. Just keep in mind you‘ll likely need a decent credit score to qualify for the best rates.
It‘s also worth noting that some insurance plans will cover a portion of aligner treatment. Both Smile Direct Club and Candid will help you check coverage and file claims. In my case, insurance reimbursed me for about 25% of the total cost. Score!
Satisfaction Guaranteed?
Let‘s be real – no one wants to shell out almost $2K on something that doesn‘t deliver results. The good news is, both Smile Direct Club and Candid are so confident you‘ll love your new smile, they offer robust satisfaction guarantees.
With Smile Direct Club, you can return your aligners for a full refund within the first 30 days of treatment, no questions asked. They also have a Club Warranty where they‘ll send you free refinements if you‘re not totally satisfied with your results at the end of treatment.
Candid offers a similar Risk-Free Guarantee where you can request a full refund on the aligners within 30 days for any reason. That means if you start treatment and decide it‘s not for you, you‘re only out the cost of the starter kit.
I thankfully didn‘t need to take advantage of the guarantees, but I love that both brands stand behind their products and are willing to go the extra smile (er, mile) to ensure customer happiness.
Real People, Real Results
You didn‘t think I‘d make you scroll this far without some juicy before and afters, did you? Both Smile Direct Club and Candid have some incredible smile transformations on their websites. But I wanted to dig a little deeper and see what REAL customers had to say about their experiences.
I scoured through hundreds of reviews on sites like the BBB, Consumer Affairs, Reddit, and Trustpilot to get the scoop. Here are some key takeaways:
Smile Direct Club Reviews
Customer rating: 4.3/5 from 4,097 reviews on Trustpilot
Common praise:
- Affordable and convenient alternative to braces
- Friendly and responsive customer service
- Noticeable results in just a few months
- Easy to use app for tracking progress
Room for improvement:
- Some customers had issues with the at-home impression kit
- A few people needed mid-course corrections or refinements
- Customer service can be hit or miss
Candid Reviews
Customer rating: 4.5/5 from 389 reviews on Trustpilot
Common praise:
- Assigned orthodontist provides personalized care and frequent check-ins
- High-quality aligners that are comfortable and durable
- Excellent results in 6 months or less
- User-friendly app with frequent reminders
Room for improvement:
- Higher startup cost for impression kit compared to SDC
- Longer wait time for initial treatment plan (2-3 weeks)
- Insurance coverage can be tricky
One Candid customer shared:
"I LOVE my Candid experience and results! My assigned orthodontist was so informative and attentive during my treatment. The aligners were easy to put in and remove, and I started seeing a difference in my smile within the first month. I can‘t stop smiling now!"
And a Smile Direct Club customer raved:
"Smile Direct Club was a game-changer for me! I always wanted to straighten my teeth but couldn‘t afford braces. SDC‘s payment plan made it doable, and I‘m thrilled with my results. The customer service team was also really helpful when I had questions about wearing my aligners."
Of course, no product is perfect and individual results may vary. But overall, it seems both Smile Direct Club and Candid have a strong track record of creating confident smiles and happy customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does Smile Direct Club or Candid treatment take?
A: The average Smile Direct Club treatment plan takes 4-6 months. Candid treatment typically takes 6 months, though some customers may finish sooner or take longer depending on their unique needs.
Q: What happens after I finish treatment?
A: After your last set of aligners, both brands will check to make sure you‘re 100% satisfied with your results. Congrats, you‘re officially a graduate! To keep your new smile in place, you‘ll need to wear custom retainers. Smile Direct Club and Candid both offer retainers for $99 per set, and you‘ll wear them full-time for the first 2 weeks. After that, you can transition to wearing them just at night indefinitely.
Q: Are there any potential risks or side effects?
A: As with any orthodontic treatment, there are some minor risks to be aware of. The most common side effects are temporary discomfort or sensitivity, especially when switching to a new set of aligners. More serious (but rare) risks include tooth/gum damage or allergic reactions to the aligner material. That‘s why it‘s so important to follow your prescribed treatment plan and keep up with regular dental check-ups!
Q: How do I keep my aligners clean?
A: Great question! Proper aligner hygiene is key to avoiding funky smells and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Always rinse your aligners whenever you remove them, and brush them gently with a soft toothbrush at least once per day. For a deeper clean, you can soak them in a denture cleaner or diluted mouthwash. Never use hot water on your aligners, as it can warp the plastic.
The Verdict
Phew, that was a lot of info! If you made it this far, give yourself a pat on the back (and maybe book a teeth whitening session to celebrate). I hope this ultimate showdown of Smile Direct Club vs Candid has given you the intel you need to choose the best aligner brand for your smile.
Both brands offer a convenient and affordable way to straighten your teeth from home, and have the track record to prove it. Smile Direct Club is a great option if you‘re looking for an outstanding value, flexible nighttime-only treatment, and the convenience of 300+ physical locations. Candid has a slight edge when it comes to personalized care thanks to their orthodontist-only network and Remote Monitoring program.
At the end of the day, you really can‘t go wrong with either company. It all comes down to your unique needs, budget, and smile goals. The only thing left to do is take the first step by completing the free Smile Assessment or booking a scan!
In the meantime, drop any other questions or experiences you‘ve had with Smile Direct Club or Candid in the comments below. Us smile seekers gotta stick together. 😉
Until next time, keep grinning!
Xoxo,
Your Trusty Smile Guru
