In This Article
In This Article
Meet NewSmile, one of the latest providers of clear aligner treatments. The company joined the ranks of Candid, ALIGNERCO, Byte (also a new company), and SmileDirectClub to make teeth straightening more accessible to everyone.
NewSmile was originally founded in Canada in 2020. But it has recently made its way to the United States. They offer clear or “invisible” aligners as a convenient way to straighten teeth.
NewSmile teeth aligners are removable and made of clear plastic, so they’re more comfortable, more discreet, and less intrusive than traditional metal braces. Aligners are barely noticeable, which is why they are also called invisible braces.
Like its predecessors, NewSmile aligners correct some types of misaligned teeth without going to the dentist. But its biggest selling point is affordable pricing. The total cost of NewSmile treatment is $1,295 (for daytime aligners) and $1,395 (for night aligners).
When it comes to affordability, it’s second only to ALIGNERCO which ranges from $1,145 to $1,345. NewSmile is also cheaper than orthodontic treatment and offers flexible payment options. For comparison, metal braces and Invisalign cost $3,000 to $8,000.
There aren’t many NewSmile reviews that compare it to other aligner companies. So in this NewSmile review, we will see if it’s any better than more established brands, or if cheaper prices are the only thing it has to offer.
NewSmile offers clear aligners for daytime and nighttime use:
You can wear day aligners throughout most of the day, whether you’re working in the office or doing chores at home. If you want to eat, brush your teeth, or clear your aligners, you can take them out anytime.
But if you prefer a nighttime-only option, NewSmile offers these aligners too. You can put them on before heading to bed and take them out in the morning. However, we don’t recommend using night aligners since they are not proven to be safe and effective.
Night aligners may move teeth too fast. This can damage your teeth, gums, and surrounding bone tissue. It can also ruin your bite.
You can use NewSmile clear aligners if you want straighter teeth. It can treat mild to moderate cases of misaligned teeth. A good candidate for treatment will have these symptoms:
However, not everyone is qualified for at-home teeth straightening. People who want to use invisible aligners must first take the Smile Assessment and some impressions of their teeth.
Clear teeth aligners are not suitable for individuals with poor dental health. So if you have cavities, gum disease, or some related dental issue — you might want to address them first.
NewSmile does not specify a minimum age requirement. But if you don’t have all of your permanent adult teeth, the company might refuse to treat you.
People with dental crowns, tooth implants, bridges, and some missing teeth may also be ineligible for aligner treatment. However, NewSmile might make some exceptions depending on your case.
Follow these steps so you can get started with NewSmile treatment:
NewSmile lets you take a quick survey on their website. After answering a few questions, you can immediately find out if you’re eligible for treatment.
The Smile Assessment also gives you the option to upload a photo of your natural bite. The “bite” refers to the way your upper and lower teeth come together when your jaw is closed.
We don’t recommend skipping this step. It’s a better way of finding out if you can safely straighten teeth with at-home clear aligners.
Once you qualify, you can choose from the following treatment packages:
NewSmile shows you what’s included in each package and how much it costs. The company also highlights the benefits of choosing a package, such as being able to pay for it through split payments or a monthly payment plan.
It depends. A good question to ask yourself is how much you are willing to pay before you begin treatment with NewSmile aligners.
If you want to spend the least amount possible and are unsure whether you are fully qualified for treatment, you should order the impression kit. This is also a good choice if you’re exploring other options and don’t want to commit to NewSmile.
Keep in mind: The Smile Assessment Quiz is only a pre-qualifying step. If your teeth impressions show signs of severe malocclusion, NewSmile might not proceed with your treatment.
But if you are ready to commit to treatment or are willing to pay more upfront, you can choose from other packages and payment plans. NewSmile offers risk-free payment. If their doctors decide later on that you are not qualified, you can get a full refund.
NewSmile will send your impression kit as soon as you process payment. Here’s what you get with the kit:
You will also receive an email to book a one-on-one video call with an Impression Specialist.
NewSmile’s Impression Specialist is there to help you take accurate molds of your teeth. They will walk you through the impression process. You can also ask them questions during the video call.
When you’re done taking dental impressions, use the prepaid shipping label and send them back to NewSmile for evaluation. NewSmile recommends sending your impression kit within 12 days of receiving it.
A licensed dentist or orthodontist will review your impressions to see if you qualify for treatment. People who do not meet NewSmile’s qualifications will be refunded the full amount they paid for the impression kit and/or their treatment plan.
If you pass the evaluation, a dental professional will create your treatment plan and send it to you via email. The plan includes 3D photos of what your teeth may look like before and after completing the NewSmile treatment.
You can request changes to your treatment plan. But if you’re satisfied with the “new smile” on your 3D treatment preview, you can go ahead and approve it. NewSmile will then start making your custom aligners.
Optional step: If you ordered the initial impression kit, NewSmile will give you the option to pay for your clear aligners before proceeding to the next steps.
Within weeks of approving your treatment plan, your teeth straightening kit should arrive. The package will include:
Remember to wear your NewSmile aligners correctly. This means keeping them on for 22 hours a day with daytime treatment or 10 hours a day with nighttime treatment.
Each aligner that comes with your kit is designed to move your teeth in a specific direction. You’ll be switching aligners every 2 to 3 weeks to slowly get your teeth straight.
During which time, you have to upload new photos of your teeth on the NewSmile Aligner Monitoring App. You can use the app to keep track of your progress and get reminders when it’s time to change aligners.
NewSmile is generally safe for at-home teeth straightening. The company works with a network of doctors to ensure that you’re a good candidate for treatment.
According to a survey, very few people (6.6%) who use clear aligners experience negative effects.1 Still, we recommend seeing a dentist or orthodontist who can assess your jaw and teeth for alignment issues, along with your overall dental health.
A dental professional can help you determine if you can undergo clear aligner treatment without complications. They will also check if you can safely treat your condition with clear aligners or if orthodontic treatment like traditional braces or Invisalign is the best option.
BPA and latex are associated with numerous safety concerns. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic compound that is used in food packaging. Studies show that it contaminates food and accumulates in the body.2
Latex is derived naturally. But it is known to cause allergies in up to 30.4% of people.3
Long-term exposure to BPA can lead to adverse health effects when consumed over a period of time.2 Meanwhile, latex can cause instant allergic reactions. The symptoms of which can range from mild to severe.4
NewSmile’s daytime and nighttime-only aligners do not contain these compounds. They are safe to wear even for extended periods.
Six months is the shortest time you can safely straighten teeth with invisible braces.5 Moving teeth too fast is associated with several risks. It can damage your teeth, gums, and bone tissue. If your teeth don’t align properly, it can lead to bite problems.6
The company’s average treatment time is 4 to 6 months for their daytime aligners. Although less than the ideal range, this doesn’t make NewSmile aligners totally unsafe.
Actual treatment times will still depend on your condition. So if you have moderately crooked teeth, treatment may last 6 months or longer.
NewSmile’s nighttime-only option has a treatment timeline of 8 to 10 months. Even though it seems safe, it poses other risks.
Based on a survey, about 87.5% of people who use invisible braces for straighter teeth are satisfied with their results.1 However, this study only applies to daytime treatment.
Daytime aligners place teeth under constant pressure throughout most of the day. According to orthodontists, this continuous force is necessary for straightening teeth.
A night-only option limits the exposure of your teeth to the same constant pressure needed for healthy tooth movement. This is because night aligners are worn for fewer hours. When you’re not wearing them, the teeth gets subjected to counter-forces.
To summarize, nighttime aligners may not be as safe or as effective as day aligners. They can cause the patient’s teeth to move back to their original place or shift in an undesirable direction.
NewSmile gives you five ways to purchase your clear teeth aligners:
Fast Track is available with a one-time payment and saves you the most money. It covers your assessment and entire treatment plan with daytime aligners.
The kit includes your impression kit, 3D treatment preview, and NewSmile aligners. You will also receive whitening treatment and free retainers with your package.
It offers the same inclusions as Fast Track treatment. But instead of paying $1,295 upfront, you have to make a $77 monthly payment for 18 months.
Rates start at 0% interest. If you choose this method, the total cost of NewSmile treatment will be $1,386. It’s not as affordable as Fast Track, but it’s one of the most flexible payment options that doesn’t require down payment.
Similar to Fast Track, this payment plan lets you buy NewSmile aligners with a one-time payment. The package includes an impression kit and 3D treatment preview, along with free whitening treatments and retainers. But instead of daytime aligners, you get night aligners.
New Smile’s nighttime treatment is also available on a monthly payment plan. It costs $83 per month for 18 months.
If you choose this plan, you will receive the same inclusions as the Night Aligners package. It brings the total treatment costs to $1,494.
As we mentioned earlier, you can purchase the impression kit if you’re not ready to commit to any of NewSmile’s treatment plans. It costs $139 and includes all your impression tools.
NewSmile’s treatment kits also include an appointment with the Impression Specialist and a treatment preview. Patients who qualify can pay for the teeth aligners after reviewing their treatment plan.
Below are the advantages and disadvantages of NewSmile treatment:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ It costs less than most teeth aligners | ✗ Does not have any physical locations for in-office consultations |
| ✓ Offers flexible payment options: You can either pay upfront or monthly | ✗ Only treats minor to moderate cases of misaligned teeth |
| ✓ Does not require down payment | ✗ Nighttime-only aligners are not as safe or effective as daytime aligners |
| ✓ NewSmile provides an Impression Specialist who can assist you when taking impressions via a one-on-one video call | ✗ There aren’t many NewSmile reviews from customers |
| ✓ NewSmile aligners are BPA-free and latex-free, so they’re safe to wear | ✗ Does not provide in-depth monitoring |
| ✓ Treatment includes free whitening foam and one set of post-treatment retainers | ✗ Has a higher risk for complications than traditional metal braces or Invisalign |
| ✓ NewSmile Monitoring App reminds you to change aligners and lets you keep track of your progress |
NewSmile is cheaper than most aligner brands. So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, it may be a good choice.
Other aligner companies might leave you to your devices when taking impressions — but not NewSmile. The company will guide you through the impression process so you’re less likely to make mistakes.
When your impression kit arrives, you can book a video chat with New Smile’s Impression Specialist. They will help you take perfect molds of your teeth.
NewSmile is still relatively new compared to other aligners, however. In the following sections, we compare it to its competitors.
These budget-friendly brands have almost the same price range if we calculate the total treatment costs. But there are a few subtle differences between the two:
ALIGNERCO has more flexible payment options which you can pay monthly with or without down payment. It also has a shorter payment period of 11 to 12 months. But you do have to pay $84 to $95 per month (for daytime aligners) and $102 to $105 per month (for night aligners).
NewSmile accepts monthly payments but they don’t give you an option for a down payment. The payment period is also longer at 18 months.
However, this means you only have to pay $77 per month (for daytime aligners) and $83 per month (for night aligners). So if you’re on a tight monthly budget, NewSmile’s payment options may be better.
SmileDirectClub (SDC) has been around since 2014, while NewSmile was only established in 2020. Despite being opposites in this respect, they share a lot in common.
Both companies have daytime and nighttime aligners, which you can purchase with monthly payments. Their average treatment time is also the same and lasts 4 to 6 months.
NewSmile might be able to guide you when taking impressions, but they don't have physical locations. If you want to get in-person teeth scans, SmileDirectClub is a clear winner since they have 50 Smile Studios in the United States.
Despite some negative reviews, SmileDirectClub is still more trusted than NewSmile.
Byte is the only aligner brand that offers a high-frequency vibration (HFV) device called HyperByte®. The company claims it can reduce your treatment time to 3 to 6 months.
However, the shortest period you can safely straighten teeth is 6 months.5 Studies on the use of HFV devices are also contradicting, with most evidence suggesting they have no effects on treatment time.7
Since Byte costs $600 more and poses the risk of moving teeth too fast, we think NewSmile is the better option for safer and more affordable teeth straightening.
NewSmile clear aligners may be more affordable. But if you want to get the most value for your money, there’s no other option but Candid.
For starters, NewSmile only works with dentists. While dentists specialize in oral health, orthodontists are experts in teeth alignment. Candid works exclusively with orthodontists, allowing them to provide better quality care.
Candid also provides in-person consultations. NewSmile only offers a Smile Assessment and an at-home impression kit. Even though they have a specialist who can help you out, the teeth scans that you can get at a Candid Studio are more accurate.
Above all, Candid aligners correct the whole bite — which other aligners are unable to do.
NewSmile and Invisalign are both removable clear aligners, which makes them convenient for everyday wear. The methods they use to correct teeth misalignment are different:
At-home invisible braces like NewSmile have shorter treatment periods. But they can only correct mild to moderate cases of malocclusion such as small gaps and overlapping teeth.
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment. Treatments last longer with Invisalign and take up to 24 months. However, they work just as well as traditional braces in correcting severe malocclusion, including problems with bite.
As such, we recommend Invisalign treatment for people with severely misaligned teeth. But if you are a candidate for clear aligners and want to have straight teeth at an affordable price, go for NewSmile treatment instead.
