Smileie: Costs, Process, and What to Know About Getting Clear Braces Online

Patients can get started with Smileie in a few steps. To opt into the regular virtual plan, you’ll click “Get Started” on their website, which will prompt you to fill out a 30-second survey. You’ll receive an impressions kit, which includes a guide that shows you how to make a mold of your teeth. It comes with a return label to send the impression back, and they will make a 3D treatment plan.

Once you approve your clear braces plan, the aligners can be sent to your home. Every two weeks, you will upload progress photos, and if you don’t, you may be subject to “fines.” This is to ensure you’re properly progressing.

Treatment time varies — it can take up to six months, but patients can start seeing results within six weeks. Even after you finish your treatment, however, you will continue to wear retainers to maintain your progress. Two sets come with your treatment plan, but you can always order more as needed.

“Our founders recognized that many people were seeking an alternative to expensive, time-consuming braces,” the representative adds. “They saw the opportunity to create a solution that fit better into modern, busy lives.”

With Smileie Pro, the enrollment process is in-person

If you care to pay a little extra for in-person care, you can enroll with Smileie Pro. First, you’ll locate a Smileie Pro center near you, then schedule your intraoral scan and consultation. They will design a treatment plan for you, and monitor your progress via the app. You will do any adjustments and follow-ups in person, and use provided retainers after you’re done.

• Day time Aligners
  • Single Arch
  • Double Arch
• Night-Time Aligners
  • Single Arch
  • Double Arch
• Impression Kit/Treatment Plan
• Smileie Pro (in-person appointments)

Beauty

Clear Retainers: What Dentists and Orthodontists Want You To Know

Once you complete clear dental aligners or traditional braces treatment to straighten your teeth, it is essential to use a retainer to keep your teeth in their new position. While you could use a traditional plastic and metal retainer, clear retainers offer a more discreet and comfortable way to “retain” your straight teeth after braces. […]

Smileie’s website is relatively easy to navigate. You can learn more information by perusing the pricing, guarantees, how it works and Smileie Pro — or you can just go straight to “Get Started.” If you aren’t ultimately a good candidate for the treatment, you get a full refund for your purchase. Your plan can also be revised at any time. Above all else, the brand rep says Smileie looks to provide a simple experience.

“Smileie’s website is designed with user experience in mind, ensuring that our customers can easily navigate through the process of learning about our products, scheduling consultations, and ordering their aligners,” the brand representative adds. “We’ve focused on simplifying the journey from initial inquiry to the final product, with clear instructions, interactive tools, and a responsive support team available to guide customers every step of the way.”

Customer service answers can answer questions for prospective and existing customers

If you have any questions before getting started, you can call Smileie’s support number (1-800-210-0464) Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm CST. We called just before 5pm in mid-January, with questions regarding insurance, treatment options and availability. After navigating a short menu, we were connected to an agent almost immediately — they were knowledgable and friendly.

We also used the Live Chat function. We were connected to a live agent pretty quickly, and they were able to answer our questions in a timely manner. Alternatively, you can reach out via email (hello@smileie.com). It may take slightly longer to be connected to an agent than calling by phone or through Live Chat — but we received a response in about 10 minutes.

“We provide personalized support through every stage of the treatment process. Whether it’s guiding customers through their first impressions or addressing concerns during treatment, our team is available to offer support,” the brand representative tells us. “We also actively listen to our customers, incorporating their feedback to continuously enhance our service offerings.”

Patient support doesn’t include direct contact with a provider, but consultations are free

One drawback to Smileie is that patients cannot contact their provider directly with questions or concerns. It’s free to reach out for support, but to connect with a provider, you must contact the customer service number, live chat or email. You can’t direct message your provider, which would make the communications process easier.

However, you can book free consultations with providers at any time. Additionally, refining your treatment is free, if you feel it isn’t giving you the desired results.

In regards to a timeline, Smileie works pretty quickly, but the treatment time is flexible. First you’ll sign up and meet virtually with a provider (for Smileie Pro, this will be in-person). Then, you’ll receive an impression kit within two to three business days. Once you send back your impressions, Smileie will design your 3D treatment preview in 10 business days. This will include what your end results will look like and how many aligners you need. Finally, after you approve the preview, aligners will come in about 15 business days. Most treatment plans last between four and six months. However, a night-time plan generally lasts six to eight months, since the aligners are only worn for 10 hours at night.

“What truly sets Smileie apart is our focus on [flexibility],” the brand rep explains. “For example, we provide night-only aligners, which allow customers to wear their aligners while they sleep, making it even more convenient for people with busy schedules. Our transparent pricing and commitment to customer satisfaction through our dedicated support team make us stand out in a competitive market.”

Features and Benefits

• Can opt into virtual or in-person appointments
• Impressions take a few weeks to process
• Braces can be sent to your home
• Free retainers, teeth whitening kits and consultations
• Customer care for prospective customers is quick and easy to use
• Patient support is always available to those who need it

Beauty

I Had Invisible Braces. Here’s What I Wish I’d Known First

For most of my life, I was unhappy with my smile. More specifically, I had a gap in my front teeth, and I would rarely smile in pictures due to being self-conscious about showing my teeth. In 2020, I decided to do something about it and researched braces and invisible aligners. I decided that invisible […]

Part of what will dictate the cost of Smileie is what kind of plan you opt into. You can get single or double braces trays, which will be worn for 22 hours per day; or just nighttime aligners (also single or double). You can also just purchase the impression kit and treatment plan, to see if this is something you actually want. Alternatively, though, you can also pay more to do all of this in-person, with Smileie Pro.

Insurance can reimburse you

Dental insurance is not required to use Smileie. However, unlike many medical and dental treatments, you can’t pay up front with insurance. However, Smileie can provide you with an itemized receipt, which includes the complete dental billing codes. You can submit that to your insurance company to be paid back for some or all of the total cost. Is also accepts payment from FSA and HSA accounts.

As previously mentioned, once you approve of your treatment preview, Smileie will produce your aligners. These are shipped directly to your home, via Fedex, within about 15 business days.

Refunds are not possible, unless you are deemed not fit for treatment

Once you approve of your treatment plan, refunds are not possible. But if you have a problem with the fit or manufacturing of the aligners, they will be replaced for free. And if you are not deemed fit for treatment after buying, you are issued a full refund for the treatment (minus the cost of the impression kit) within 14 business days.

Each plan comes with two free retainers, which are sent to your home. Once you finish the treatment plan with your aligners, you’re expected to wear them every night. This ensures you maintain progress you made with your aligners, as teeth can shift back into place. And you can always buy more retainers if you lose or break yours. Most people will need to to wear retainers for at least six months—and some dentists suggest using one forever—after using clear braces, as your teeth gradually get fixed in their new positions.

Pros

• Standard plan is fully virtual
• Can be in-person with Pro plan
• Variety of plans (dual and single arches, night time braces, etc.)
• Patients receive teeth whitening kit and retainers
• Consultations and support is free
• Refinements are free
• Refunds are available if you are not fit for treatment
• Insurance may refund you but it isn’t required

Cons:

• Timeline takes a few weeks to get started
• No refunds after accepting your treatment plan
• Patients don’t have direct communication with their providers
• Aligners can sometimes be uncomfortable
• Results may be slower if person isn’t compliant with the treatment plan

Smileie is still evolving and updating

With orthodontics and technology constantly changing, Smileie tries to stay up-to-date. Treatments will continue to evolve, and so will the customer-facing interface: “We’re constantly refining our aligner technology, incorporating advanced 3D scanning and customized treatment plans to improve treatment outcomes,” says Smileie’s brand representative.

“Additionally, we continue to improve our online tools and support services to make the entire process as seamless as possible for our customers.”

Smileie makes it easy for customers to navigate their website and get started on a clear braces treatment plan. It may lack personal contact (unless you opt into the pro plan) but you can refine your treatment at any time. And the prices are relatively affordable, especially if your insurance is willing to reimburse you after the fact.