NewSmile is a new player in the invisible braces market in the United States, having previously operated exclusively in Canada. After two years of continual success in Canada, NewSmile expanded to the United States where it maintains one office. NewSmile offers remote orthodontic treatment to people in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The company also ships its clear aligners to customers in Hong Kong.

One service feature that makes NewSmile unique is that every new aligner comes with a professional-grade whitening foam. This gives patients the opportunity to brighten their teeth as they straighten their smile. The company also includes two retainers with the first set of aligners.

NewSmile offers an online Smile Assessment that asks patients to answer a few questions and upload a current picture. Remote orthodontists employed by NewSmile use this information to create an individualized treatment plan for each patient.

How Does It Work?

Most people who desire to improve their appearance through teeth straightening and whitening are good candidates to become a patient of NewSmile. During the initial Smile Assessment, NewSmile seeks to understand the patient’s motives by asking them to select whether they want to complete treatment with clear braces for career reasons, because they are getting married, general self-improvement, to improve oral health, or other reasons.

NewSmile offers only remote treatment options at this time. After completing the Smile Assessment, NewSmile sends patients a kit containing molds for them to take an impression of their top and bottom rows of teeth. Impression Specialists are available by video call if patients have questions about how to obtain the most accurate impressions with the dental molds. Patients then return the impressions in a postage-paid envelope to NewSmile.

After receiving the patient’s impressions back, a laboratory technician with NewSmile creates a three-dimensional treatment preview to demonstrate how the teeth will look after treatment. Patients can see the 3D preview through email or video conference. NewSmile does not begin creating aligners until patients approve their preview.

The company also offers a risk-free impression experience, which means that patients pay nothing if the consulting orthodontist determines they are not a good candidate for remote orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. Most people do qualify for treatment, and NewSmile can even work with patients who have partial dentures or missing teeth.

NewSmile sends the first clear aligner in the mail a short time later with detailed instructions regarding its use. This includes a computer or smartphone-based monitoring application for patients to ensure that they finish their orthodontic treatment on time. Patients should replace each aligner with a new one that arrives by mail every few weeks.

NewSmile clear aligners work by applying gentle pressure to the teeth to move them into the desired position. Patients sometimes experience mild discomfort from the pressure at first, but this typically subsides after wearing the first and second aligners.

How Long Does it Take to Get Results?

NewSmile recommends that patients wear their clear aligner at least 22 hours a day and only remove it when eating or drinking. However, they can choose to leave the aligner in when drinking plain water. The company also offers a Night Aligner option that patients should wear for at least 10 consecutive hours. The second option is ideal for people with only minor cosmetic issues or those who prefer not to wear aligners during the day while at work or school.

The average treatment time with NewSmile clear orthodontic aligners is four to six months. Patients who require more significant teeth straightening may need to wear aligners for up to one year.

What Support is Available to You?

An orthodontist supervises the treatment of every patient and helps to plan their care. NewSmile offers several alternatives for patients to reach their customer service department, including a toll-free telephone number, live online chat, or video chat. Each of these options is available during regular business hours, and the company encourages patients to contact them with questions, concerns, or issues right away.

NewSmile offers additional patient support with its Smile Guarantee. If patients feel dissatisfied with their smile after completing treatment, the company will send additional retainers at no extra cost. The only requirement is that patients followed the initial treatment plan but did not receive the results they expected. NewSmile takes patient satisfaction seriously by using Raintree Essex plastic in all its aligners, which is the clearest type of plastic currently available.

What Does It Cost?

NewSmile offers these payment options.

• Fast Track, $1,195 paid upfront.
• 12-Month Plan, totaling $1,295 with a down payment of $295 and monthly interest-free payments of $84.
• Impression kit and preview only, $49. This option is for patients who feel unsure about starting the process but want to evaluate their options. They can continue treatment by approving the preview and paying for the aligners.
• Night Aligners Fast Track, $1,295 paid upfront.
• Night Aligners 12-Month Plan, totaling $1,395 with a down payment of $295 and monthly interest-free payments of $91.66.
• Night Aligners Preview Plan, $49.

NewSmile accepts flexible spending and health savings accounts. Patients can use their FSA/HSA debit card, or the company can provide receipts for them to request reimbursement. Most dental insurance providers do not cover treatment with at-home invisible aligners, but patients should check with their provider to confirm.

Setting up an Appointment

The first step to initiate treatment with NewSmile is to complete the online smile assessment. The company will then provide a timeline for each of the remaining steps.