No one likes to go to the dentist. Frankly, it’s a hassle: you have to set up an appointment and endure the annoyance of the dentist’s office. Then they give you a referral to the orthodontist, making you repeat the process. All. Over. Again. Is a straight smile worth all the trouble?
Luckily, there’s an alternative: you can get a million-dollar smile from the comfort of your own home with home clear aligners. Using a home clear alignment system, you can ditch the dentist and straighten your teeth on your own. Home clear aligners aren’t just convenient, either. For many people, they’re also much faster and cheaper than braces.
NewSmile is one of the many clear aligner companies on the market. And frankly, they’re one of the newest: they got started in the Spring of 2020. But is NewSmile right for you? In this review, we’ll give you the full scoop on NewSmile: the good, the bad, and how to know if they’re right for you.
Is NewSmile Legit?
NewSmile is essentially the “new kid on the block” on the teledentistry scene. That said, teledentistry, or remote dental treatment, is still a relatively new industry (the “oldest” company started in just 2014). NewSmile started just last year, so if you’re wondering if they’re “too good to be true,” you’re not alone.
It’s tough to give a true stamp of approval to such a new business, but so far, we like what we’ve seen from NewSmile. They have the second-most affordable treatment kit on the market. And while they might not have a ton of reviews just yet, those they do have are pretty encouraging. We also like the fact that they give a hefty $200 discount to members of the military.
Granted, there are a few downsides to NewSmile’s treatment (although we’ll cover them in-depth later). The primary downside is that NewSmile only works for mild to moderate cosmetic cases of misalignment.
How Does NewSmile Work?
NewSmile’s startup process is relatively simple: they ship you an impression kit. Then, you take molds of your teeth, and send them back so NewSmile can design and ship custom aligners to kick off your treatment. For most people, treatment lasts 4-6 months. Here’s a fly-by of what to expect when using NewSmile:
Step 1: You order an impression kit from NewSmile and create 3D molds of your teeth. Afterwards, you send those molds back to NewSmile; shipping is easy thanks to a prepaid shipping label.
Step 2: NewSmile analyzes the mold you’ve created to develop a treatment plan that’s unique to you.
Step 3: Pay for your treatment all in one go, or sign up for financing (there’s no credit check) and pay as you go.
Step 4: You wear the custom aligners sent to you by NewSmile and gradually make your way to a straighter smile.
Advantages and Disadvantages of NewSmile
NewSmile and other home clear aligner systems are all pretty convenient, but there are other perks, too. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of using NewSmile to straighten your teeth:
NewSmile Advantages
NewSmile has the second-most affordable treatment kit on the market. They also run decent sales, too.
To make things even better, NewSmile’s affordable price tag packs a lot of value: the kit includes your impression kit, all of your aligners, whitening, and one bottle of whitening.
NewSmile offers both daytime and nighttime treatment. Even better: they offer both types for the same price. Other companies charge extra for nighttime treatment.
Their treatment speed of 4-6 range isn’t the fastest on the market (that honor goes to Byte), but they take second place in the speed category.
NewSmile Disadvantages
NewSmile is best suited for cosmetic dental cases. They can handle some tougher cases, but if you need extensive corrections, you’d be better off visiting your orthodontist or using an in-office treatment.
NewSmile uses a mixed team of dentists and orthodontists on their treatment team, so there’s a chance that your treatment could be designed by a dentist, not an orthodontist.
NewSmile’s impression kits aren’t the easiest to use. They offer a couple tips and tricks to help with the process, but many customers struggle with this step. And unfortunately, since NewSmile doesn’t have any retail locations, impression kits are your only option.
NewSmile is still building their online reputation. They don’t have a ton of 3rd-party reviews yet. They have several hundred listed on their site, but we prefer to rely on external reviews. As they grow, this probably won’t be as much of an issue, but it’s worth noting.
Still curious about NewSmile? Check out our in-depth review below.
NewSmile: Treatment Efficiency
Everyone will have a slightly different experience with NewSmile. That’s because everyone’s smile is different. Your treatment timeline depends on a few factors:
- The severity of your teeth crowding or spacing
- How long you wear your aligners each day
NewSmile is not the fastest treatment method on the market (Byte is), but you won’t be kept waiting too long to see the smile of your dreams. Their daytime treatment lasts between 4-6 months on average. But if you opt for nighttime treatment (which only requires 10 hours of consecutive wear), you’ll reach the end of your treatment in 8-10 months.
For sake of comparison, the industry average is 6 months. By comparison, the average treatment with Byte lasts 3-4 months. So NewSmile is just a touch faster than average, but if you’re in an absolute rush to see your perfect smile, look into Byte.
NewSmile Customer Reviews
Buying anything on the internet is convenient, but sometimes it’s hard to trust. In the “old days,” you could just ask your family and neighbors for their recommendations. Now, word of mouth often gets replaced with online reviews. What are other customers saying about NewSmile?
Like we mentioned earlier, NewSmile doesn’t have a ton of third-party reviews. But despite that, it’s important to consider what reviews there are. And we should account for the good and the bad. So, here are a few of the things customers like about NewSmile:
- Customer support is friendly, helpful, and prompt
- Process is straightforward and easy to complete
- Video conferences make taking impressions easier
But there are a few drawbacks, too:
- Takes a while to receive aligners (7-8 weeks after ordering impression kit)
- Some shipping delays (may be COVID-related in many cases)
- Notable wait for new impression trays if the originals do not fit
For as young as they are, NewSmile has a pretty impressive reputation online. But we take this with a grain of salt since so few of the reviews are hosted on third-party sites (we only found around 85). With enough time, they’ll probably gain even more reviews. When that happens, we’ll have a bit more confidence in their online reputation.
NewSmile Prices and Features
NewSmile is more affordable than braces, but there is still cost involved. Here’s the impact NewSmile will have on your wallet:
- Impression kit, $139: The impression kit gets the ball rolling with your treatment. The kit’s cost is non-refundable unless you’re not a candidate for treatment. That said, the impression kit includes an orthodontist or dentist review and a customized treatment plan at no extra cost. And NewSmile frequently runs sales on this kit. That said, we should note that if you buy their Fast Track bundle, the kit is included in the bundle price.
- Total cost of treatment, $1,595: This treatment bundle includes everything you’ll need to straighten your teeth without stepping foot in the orthodontist’s office. You’ll get an impression kit, all the aligners in your treatment, a free bottle of whitening treatment, and your first set of post-treatment retainers.
If you don’t want to pay the whole $1,595 all at once, NewSmile does offer a financing option. It doesn’t require a credit check, either. All it takes is a $295 downpayment and 24 monthly payments of $58. This takes your total price to $1,687, so you do save a touch by paying it all in one go.
NewSmile Customer Support
NewSmile is a mixed bag when it comes to customer support. On one hand, they do a great job supporting each customer by responding pretty promptly to emails, phone calls, and messages. Like we mentioned earlier, many online reviewers specifically mention the good customer support they’ve received from NewSmile. And as an added plus, they offer video conferences for impression sessions.
That said, actually getting in touch with their customer support is tricky; they have pretty limited hours. They’re only available from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST on weekdays. Other companies offer wide ranges of support times (more than 12 hours) on every day of the week. So NewSmile is a bit lacking in this department. If you encounter an issue on the weekend, you’ll have to grit and bear it until Monday.
NewSmile Alternatives
Is NewSmile right for you? It’s an important question to ask. Treating your smile is a big decision. You keep your grin for life! So, you’ll also want to consider all the alternatives that are available. NewSmile does a decent job in such a short time in business, but we do have some other options we prefer. Here are a few other companies to consider:
Byte
Our #1 pick for home clear aligners is Byte. If you’re in a rush to see your new smile, then Byte should be your first pick, too. Their HyperByte system cuts most treatments down to just 3-4 months. Plus, they have an unmatched Byte for Life guarantee.
Candid
Candid is pricier, but their Remote Monitoring program best mimics the orthodontist oversight you’d get from an in-person treatment method. Their Candid Studios also allow you to skip the impression kit process.
AlignerCo
NewSmile takes second place to AlignerCo in the price department, who prides themselves on being the most affordable home aligner treatment—and their tiny price tag of $1,145 proves it.
Smile Direct Club
With Smile Direct, you can take advantage of a nighttime treatment option to avoid wearing your aligners all day. They also have more than 300 SmileShop locations across the country, so it’s more convenient to get started.
Should You Use NewSmile?
NewSmile has a lot of positives, but that doesn’t mean that they’re right for everyone. Let’s talk about when you should use NewSmile and when you should steer clear.
✔ When to use NewSmile:
If “affordable” is one of your priorities when choosing a clear aligner, then you’d probably choose between NewSmile and AlignerCo. AlignerCo is cheaper, but their kit doesn’t include any extras. So if you’d like perks like whitening and free retainers, you might want to go with NewSmile.
✖ When NOT to use NewSmile:
If you have a bite issue like underbite or a severe case of crowding or spacing, then you’re probably not a good candidate for any home alignment system—NewSmile or otherwise. If you’re in a rush or you’d rather work with a well-established brand, there are better options.
Final Verdict:
All told, NewSmile is an intriguing newcomer on the clear aligner scene. They don’t win our top pick, though. That honor still goes to Byte. We’ll have a better idea of what to say about NewSmile when they’ve established a bigger customer base.
Common Questions About NewSmile
Does NewSmile ever offer discounts?
Yes; as we’re writing this, NewSmile is currently running a sale for $400 off their aligners. They frequently run sales on their impression kits, too. Those are seasonal sales, though, so you might need to be patient for another deal to come around. There’s only one year-long discount: $200 off aligners for members of the military.
What if I’m not happy with the outcome?
NewSmile is (largely) a non-refundable service. The only refund they offer is if their treatment team decides that you’re not a good candidate for their aligners. If that happens, NewSmile will refund your total cost (whether that’s just the impression kit or the Fast Track bundle).
Does NewSmile offer nighttime-only treatment?
Yes! If you use NewSmile’s nighttime-only treatment, then your treatment schedule will look a touch different. You’ll wear your aligners for just 10 hours per day as opposed to the usual 22 hours. And your total treatment time will last longer: 8-10 months instead of 4-6.
Do I need an X-ray before NewSmile treatment?
No X-ray needed with NewSmile! The impression kit is all you need to get started, and it measures the spaces and orientation of your teeth, not your bone structure. That’s assuming you have a relatively normal bone structure, though. If you suspect that your jaw is a slightly different shape or that you have a bad overbite or underbite, then you may want to get an X-ray to be sure.
How does NewSmile compare to Byte, Candid, and AlignerCo?
NewSmile sits at the second-most affordable treatment option (AlignerCo costs less at a cheap $1,145). And they’re the second-fastest behind Byte. Candid has a better treatment oversight thanks to their Remote Monitoring program.
Is NewSmile better than braces and Invisalign?
It all depends on what you mean by “better.” Braces, Invisalign, and NewSmile will all get the job done and leave you with an impressive grin. The real questions are how fast does treatment go, and how much are you willing to spend? Of all these options, NewSmile is the cheapest and quickest treatment.
Is NewSmile cheaper than braces or Invisalign?
Yes! NewSmile is cheaper than both traditional braces and Invisalign. Before insurance, NewSmile costs $1,595. Invisalign can cost several thousand dollars before insurance. The same goes for braces. Ultimately, NewSmile can cost thousands less.
Does NewSmile treatment last forever?
Left unchecked, teeth will shift post-treatment. As you age (or for women, during pregnancy), your teeth have a tendency to move. And after treatment, your teeth tend to shift back to their original positions. To prevent that, you need to wear post-treatment retainers.
Does NewSmile offer teeth whitening services?
Yes! NewSmile includes a bottle of whitening with every aligner kit. If you run out and want more, you can buy a new bottle for $39.
I’m in a rush – is NewSmile the fastest at-home treatment option available?
NewSmile is pretty quick (4-6 months for daytime treatment), but if you’re in a rush, you should look into Byte. Their average treatment lasts 3-4 months thanks to their HyperByte system.
Does NewSmile have a refund policy?
NewSmile does not offer refunds for their aligners or impression kits. The only exception to this: if you take impressions and turn out not to be a good candidate for treatment, they’ll refund the impression kit price along with anything you prepaid on your aligners.
What happens if I mess up my impressions?
If you botch your impressions, get in touch with customer support. They’ll help you get started on getting another one, or if needed, new trays that fit better.
Does NewSmile have upsells?
NewSmile doesn’t have any hard upsells during their order process. They do have a soft one by including a free bottle of their whitening treatment, but that’s it. And since there’s no commitment to buy the whitener going forward, it’s not really a true upsell.
Will NewSmile make me talk funny?
With any home aligner system, you have a foreign object in your mouth. That’s unavoidable. So, your mouth might feel a bit funny, and you could have the slightest hint of a lisp. For most people, though, the aligners are minimally invasive and practically imperceptible to others. And the lisp usually goes away after a few days as you adjust.
How many hours a day should I wear my NewSmile aligners?
If you use traditional NewSmile treatment, you need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. If you opt for the nighttime version, you’ll only wear them for ten hours each day.
Can I drink coffee while using NewSmile?
With any aligners, you should not eat or drink anything (except water) with your aligners in. That said, you can remove them during meals and snacks, drink, replace them, and repeat as needed.
What happens if I lose my aligners (or retainers)?
Get in contact with customer support right away. They’ll get started with sending you a replacement. While you wait for the replacement to arrive, wear an aligner from your previous set. That will keep your teeth from shifting too far back.
Is NewSmile covered by insurance?
That depends. If you have orthodontic benefits included in your insurance coverage, then you can probably get reimbursement for NewSmile treatment. We recommend consulting with your provider before purchasing, just to be sure.
How can I contact NewSmile’s customer support?
You can contact NewSmile through a messaging portal on their website, but for more traditional support, it’s best to contact them via phone at 1-888-231-7725.