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 alignment system, you can ditch the dentist and straighten your teeth on your own. Home aligners aren’t just convenient, either. For many people, they’re also faster and cheaper than braces and Invisalign.
There are a lot of different options for home clear alignment systems (Invisalign doesn’t have a monopoly!). For example, SnapCorrect is one company that’s joined the home aligner scene. But is SnapCorrect right for you? In this review, we’ll give you the full scoop on SnapCorrect and their home clear aligner system.
How Does SnapCorrect Work?
SnapCorrect is relatively simple: once you submit your order, they ship you an impression kit. You take impressions of your teeth, send them back, and SnapCorrect’s team creates your treatment. For most people, treatment lasts an average of 8 or 9 months (the difference depends on the severity of your crowding or spacing).
- Step 1: You order an impression kit from SnapCorrect and create 3D impressions of your teeth. You’ll also take some “Smile Selfies” to give a full picture of your pre-treatment smile. Once your impressions and photos are complete, you’ll send them back. Shipping is easy thanks to a prepaid shipping label.
- Step 2: SnapCorrect’s team of dental professionals will analyze the molds you’ve made to create a personalized treatment plan. If you’re not a candidate for treatment, then SnapCorrect will refund the cost of the impression kit.
- Step 3: Pay for your treatment all in one go, or sign up for SnapCorrect’s payment plan, courtesy of Affirm. These plans are flexible, but you’ll need to pass a credit check and make a minimum monthly payment of $84.95.
- Step 4: You’ll fill out a Consent to Treat form and a Medical Questionnaire. These forms help with legal concerns and ensure that you’re a good candidate for treatment. If you approve your treatment, SnapCorrect will send you your aligners. You wear each for two weeks and make your way to a straighter smile.
What Sets SnapCorrect Apart?
Haven’t heard of SnapCorrect? Founded in 2017, they’re one of the newer home alignment systems in the industry. Compared to some of their competitors, SnapCorrect is a less well-known name with a smaller customer base.
One major plus to SnapCorrect? They provide whitening treatment for life once you are a customer. Other companies include one bottle or box. But SnapCorrect’s whitening treatment never runs out.
The one disadvantage of home clear aligners is that they aren’t right for everyone. Some extreme cases are best served in an office setting by an orthodontist. With SnapCorrect, there’s little risk, though. You can try out an impression kit at home. If it turns out that you’re not a candidate for treatment, they’ll refund you—no worries, no commitments.
Product Quality
SnapCorrect’s clear aligners apply pressure to your teeth to gradually move them into a straighter smile. But what are these aligners made of? Let’s take a closer look.
Materials
SnapCorrect’s aligners are manufactured by Raintree Essix—a respected dental supply company that’s been making clear aligners since 2005. These aligners are made of medical-grade, BPA free plastic. You can feel confident that your SnapCorrect aligners are safe, effective, and made from quality materials.
One drawback to SnapCorrect’s aligners? They aren’t compatible to use with the free whitening gel. Every other provider we review sells whitening that is safe to use in conjunction with your aligners, but not SnapCorrect.
It isn’t the end of the world to wait until the end of treatment to whiten your smile; but if you’re eager to wrap up this process as soon as possible, you may not want to create an additional step.
Appearance
There are two ways to cut the tops of your aligners: straight across, or scalloped to match your gumline. It’s a bit of a trade-off whichever option you get—the scallop cut aligners are slightly less noticeable since they don’t overlap with your gumline; but the straight across cut is able to exert more force since it can anchor on your gums.
SnapCorrect scallops their aligners, so you’ll have a very low profile look to your treatment; even if you lose out on some effectiveness.
SnapCorrect prides themselves on having very clear looking clear aligners. This may sound counterintuitive, but super transparent aligners aren’t always the most low profile. For example, providers like Invisalign and Candid manufacture their aligners to look a little bit frosted. This matte finish makes aligners look more natural, since it better mimics the porous surface of your teeth.
SnapCorrect’s clear aligners are a bit more noticeable because of their transparency and their shine. But appearance is subjective, so choose whichever clear aligner better fits your preferences. Some people like ultra clear looking aligners; they like the added gleam it gives their smiles!
Treatment Oversight
You might be wondering how at-home clear aligner companies keep an eye on your treatment if you never have to leave the house. Other remote providers do this by asking their customers to regularly submit photos throughout treatment for their team to review.
Unfortunately, SnapCorrect doesn’t have a similar system—you won’t be sending in photos at regular intervals. You’ll just follow your treatment plan from start to finish, and if you have any questions you can reach out to their customer support.
We tested SnapCorrect’s customer support channels ourselves—phone, email, and webchat—and we got pretty quick responses across the board. For example, we waited less than five minutes to talk with them via webchat. And their availability is good, too. You can contact them anytime from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.
SnapCorrect’s treatment length is just a touch longer than average; most people can expect to wait 8-9 months for their perfect smile. To put it in perspective, one competitor, Byte, can wrap up some treatments in just 4 months. But other at-home clear aligner systems clock in at around 6 months, so treatment speed with SnapCorrect is just a tad slower.
9 months may seem like a long time, but it’s still faster than braces. Traditional braces require 24 months on average. Not only that, all through a traditional treatment like braces and Invisalign you’ll need to attend in-person appointments every 4-8 weeks, which can be hard to fit into a busy schedule.
SnapCorrect doesn’t offer much treatment oversight; so if that’s important to you, we’d suggest taking a look at some other options. But if you prefer a hands-off approach, then SnapCorrect could be just the right fit for you.
Bang For Your Buck
One of the main draws to at-home clear aligners is the affordability. Let’s take a look at the nitty gritty details of the cost of SnapCorrect.
Startup Costs
SnapCorrect’s $95 impression kit gets the ball rolling. You create 3D molds of your teeth using the included putty and trays, which allow SnapCorrect to create your custom aligners. SnapCorrect even includes some extra putty in the kit; in case you aren’t an impression-making prodigy right out of the gate.
Aligner Kit
SnapCorrect’s $1,749 alignment bundle includes everything you’ll need to straighten your teeth without stepping foot in the orthodontist’s office. You’ll get the impression kit, a preview of your treatment plan, and of course, your aligners. SnapCorrect also offers you your first set of aftercare retainers at no additional cost. Plus, let’s not forget the ongoing perk of free whitening for life.
Financing
SnapCorrect offers financing thanks to a third-party partner called Affirm. You can enroll in payment plans that last for 6, 12, or 24 months. Your APR varies from 10-30% depending on the payment plan you choose, so it’s cheaper to pay up front if you can swing it. This payment plan requires a credit check, so not everyone will be approved.
Insurance
If your insurance plan has orthodontic benefits, it’s possible your SnapCorrect treatment may be partially covered. Many insurance providers deem clear aligner treatments as “cosmetic” and won’t cover it, but that’s gradually changing over time. Be sure to reach out to your insurance provider to get a full grasp on what your coverage includes before moving ahead with SnapCorrect.
Refinement Policy
Sometimes at the end of your treatment, your smile may still need a bit of adjusting. This isn’t so unusual; teeth can be a bit stubborn and difficult to fully predict. If you need some additional movement, then you’ll need to spring for refinements (extra aligners).
Some of SnapCorrect’s competitors offer refinements for free, but unfortunately you’ll need to dish out some extra money to complete your treatment with SnapCorrect.
There’s no set price on refinements; this will all depend on how many additional sets of aligners you need. However, it can range from $349-$949; which is a much higher cost than their competitors.
For comparison, AlignerCo charges $200 for refinements regardless of how many you need; but their treatment is priced so low that this only brings your total to $1,345-$1,545. Whereas with SnapCorrect, refinements will increase your cost to $2,098-2,698; a pretty significant jump.
On top of the high price tag, according to their third party reviews, SnapCorrect isn’t very quick to get your refinements manufactured. To be fair, that’s an issue for most aligner providers. However, their lack of remote monitoring might worsen this problem, since they’re not receiving any photo updates throughout the treatment. Competitors like Candid get photo updates every 14 days, so it’s likelier they could catch an issue early and avoid the later chaos.
Post-Treatment Costs
At-home clear aligners are affordable, but you’ll still want to protect your investment. The best way to keep your smile in its new position is with post-treatment retainers. SnapCorrect includes your first set for free in your treatment bundle. These retainers are durable, but they won’t last forever. You’ll need to replace them every 6 months or so—for $95 per set; which is pretty on par with the industry average.
Customer Experience
The cost and quality of your clear aligner treatment are important, but so is how you’re treated throughout the process. Let’s see what you can expect when you choose SnapCorrect for your clear aligner treatment.
Reviews
Buying anything on the internet can feel like a leap of faith. In the “old days,” you could just ask your family and neighbors for their recommendations. Now, word of mouth often gets replaced with online customer reviews. What are other customers saying about SnapCorrect?
It’s important to account for both the good and the bad. So, here are a few of the things customers like about SnapCorrect:
- Customer service is friendly and understanding
- Affordable yet effective treatment
- Treatment is less painful than some competitors
- The clear aligners are practically invisible
But there are a few drawbacks, too:
- Offering impression kit assistance or a physical location would guarantee good aligner fit
- Promotions offer a whitening pen, which is not sent with the original shipment
- Post-treatment retainers aren’t always sent out promptly
- Customer service can be unresponsive
SnapCorrect used to receive much more praise for their customer support team, but unfortunately their overall effectiveness seems to have decreased over time. Judging by SnapCorrect’s reviews, this is a great option if nothing unexpected happens during your treatment. However, if you need to have additional aligners made, or if you have an issue that needs resolving, it seems that SnapCorrect pretty consistently drops the ball.
Retainers especially seem to be a big issue for SnapCorrect. Many customers report ordering a retainer and not hearing anything for weeks, sometimes months at a time. In some cases by the time the retainers eventually arrived, their teeth had moved out of position, and they required additional aligner treatment.
This has never been our experience with SnapCorrect; we’ve always received prompt responses to our questions no matter which method we used to contact them. That doesn’t mean that those other customers’ experiences are invalid, it just means that it’s possible to have a few different customer service experiences when you choose SnapCorrect.
One thing we like about SnapCorrect is that even in negative reviews their support team is still praised for being friendly and helpful—despite their long periods of unresponsiveness. We hope that SnapCorrect’s support team just hit a bit of a rough patch, and they’ll address these issues and provide their customers with prompt service again.
Comfort
We aren’t going to sugar coat it; moving your teeth from one position to another is never going to be a total pleasure cruise—there’s going to be some soreness as your teeth gradually move into their new alignment. That being said, discomfort should typically occur during the first day or two when you switch to a new aligner; it shouldn’t be constant.
We feel encouraged from SnapCorrect’s third party reviews that their aligners provide a comfortable wear experience for the majority of their customers. Many of their customers reported how much better this experience felt compared to braces treatments they’d had in the past.
Overall, customers praised the comfort of SnapCorrect’s aligners, and appreciated that SnapCorrect provided them with an emery board to file down any aligner edges that cause discomfort.
Guarantees
SnapCorrect really only has one guarantee: if you are found to be unsuitable for their clear aligner treatment, they will refund you the cost of the impression kit. This is the industry standard guarantee. If you are deemed to be a candidate for their treatment, then you won’t be eligible for a refund on the impression kit.
What if I break an aligner?
Unfortunately SnapCorrect doesn’t replace lost or broken aligners. Depending on when your aligner breaks, you’ll either go back to your previous aligner, or move on to the following aligner. This may cause some additional discomfort, but at least you won’t need to wait for a replacement to be manufactured.
Best SnapCorrect Alternatives
Is SnapCorrect right for you? After all, treating your smile is a big decision. You keep it for life! So, you may want to consider some alternatives to SnapCorrect. Here are 4 other options to keep in mind:
Byte
Byte has the shortest treatment lengths on the market. Thanks to their HyperByte technology, Byte can correct some smiles within just 4 months. They offer both nighttime and full-day wear schedules, plus a lifetime guarantee, too.
Candid
Candid began as a fully remote clear aligner provider, but recently made the switch to “CanidPro,” a hybrid at-home/in-office treatment option. If you’re interested in the convenience of home aligners, but want the robust oversight of in-office care, look no further than Candid. Their sophisticated CandidMonitoring system allows you to complete the majority of your treatment from home—without compromising on oversight.
AlignerCo
SnapCorrect has a fair sticker price, but AlignerCo outshines them—by several hundred dollars. If you need a super budget-friendly option, AlignerCo is the way to go.
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 office locations across the country, so it’s convenient to get started.
Should You Use SnapCorrect?
SnapCorrect has a lot of positives, but that doesn’t mean that they’re right for everyone. Let’s talk about when you should use SnapCorrect and when you should steer clear.
✔ When to use SnapCorrect:
SnapCorrect can treat most mild and moderate cases, even if you’ve had braces before. If you want to straighten your teeth (and then whiten them indefinitely), then SnapCorrect is the way to go.
✖ When NOT to use SnapCorrect:
If your case of crowding or spacing is severe, or you have a bite issue like overbite or underbite, then you’re probably not a good candidate for any home alignment system—SnapCorrect or otherwise. Those cases are better served by an orthodontist using in-person methods.
Final Verdict:
All told, SnapCorrect is a viable option to straighten your teeth without visiting the orthodontist’s office. That said, they’re not our top choice for home clear aligners (that honor goes to Byte). SnapCorrect is a good value, and their free whitening for life is an intriguing perk. That said, they fall a bit short when compared to competitors in other categories. Competitors like Byte and Candid are more efficient and take less time.
Ultimately, it’s up to you: if you want the best treatment on the market, you might want to look elsewhere; if you want free whitening and affordability, then SnapCorrect is a good choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’m not happy with the outcome?
If you complete SnapCorrect’s treatment and you’re not pleased with your new smile, contact SnapCorrect’s support. They’ll reassess your case and work with you to get your smile back on track.
The only true refund SnapCorrect offers is for their impression kits. If SnapCorrect determines that you’re not a candidate for home clear aligners, they’ll refund the cost of the impression kit, no questions asked. But if you are a candidate, then there is no refund, even if you choose not to go with the treatment.
Does SnapCorrect offer nighttime-only treatment?
SnapCorrect does not currently offer a nighttime-only treatment. In fact, they recommend that you wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day. Basically, when you’re not eating or drinking, you should be wearing your SnapCorrect aligners, day or night. If you don’t wear them long enough, you run the risk of needing new aligners (and paying for them, too).
Do I need an X-ray before SnapCorrect treatment?
Technically speaking, you can get treatment from SnapCorrect without an X-ray. However, SnapCorrect recommends that you have a routine check-up with your dentist (which often includes an X-ray) before beginning treatment. This helps check for any pre-existing dental issues that might throw off your SnapCorrect treatment.
One related note: 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. Bite issues can hinder effective treatment, and only a traditional orthodontist can treat those deeper issues.
How does SnapCorrect compare to Candid, Byte, AlignerCo and Smile Direct?
SnapCorrect has an affordable base price, and their free whitening for life is a nice perk. The only option that’s cheaper than them is AlignerCo (which is several hundred dollars cheaper than SnapCorrect). Compared to Byte, though, SnapCorrect’s treatment lengths are much longer.
Byte’s can correct some smiles in just 4 months. Candid is able to offer a higher level of treatment oversight than SnapCorrect, but Candid’s price tag is much higher. Smile Direct’s advantage over SnapCorrect is their SmileShops, where you can get a scan of your teeth completed in person instead of the DIY impression kit. All told, SnapCorrect doesn’t stand out from its competitors for much except for their whitening offering.
Is SnapCorrect better than braces and Invisalign?
It all depends on what you mean by “better.” Braces, Invisalign, and SnapCorrect will all get the job done and leave you with an impressive grin. The real questions are: how quickly will it transform your smile? And how much are you willing to spend? Of these three options, SnapCorrect is the cheapest and quickest way to get treatment.
Is SnapCorrect cheaper than braces or Invisalign?
Yes! SnapCorrect is cheaper than both traditional braces and Invisalign. Before insurance, SnapCorrect costs $1,749. In contrast, Invisalign can cost several thousand dollars before insurance. The same goes for braces. Ultimately, SnapCorrect can cost thousands less.
Does SnapCorrect treatment last forever?
Occasionally, teeth will shift after you finish treatment. As you age (or during a pregnancy), your teeth have a tendency to move. However, you can prevent this shift by wearing your post-treatment retainers. The first set is delivered to you free of charge, and additional retainers cost $95. SnapCorrect suggests you should wear these retainers for 22 hours per day for six weeks; after that, you can wear them at night alone.
Does SnapCorrect offer teeth whitening services?
Yes! SnapCorrect actually offers whitening services for life once you are a customer. Other companies offer just one free whitening kit with treatment, and you need to pay for extras. But SnapCorrect’s is complimentary. That said, you cannot start whitening until your treatment is finished. The whitening SnapCorrect offers doesn’t mix well with your aligners, so it’s better to whiten afterward.
I’m in a rush – is SnapCorrect the fastest at-home treatment option available?
SnapCorrect uses aligners that are cut to match your gum line. These are a touch less visible than straight-cut aligners, but they aren’t quite as effective. As a result, SnapCorrect is a bit slower than some competitors. If speed is the most important factor for you, then we recommend Byte. Byte’s HyperByte technology shortens treatments to 4 months for some people.
Does SnapCorrect have a refund policy?
SnapCorrect’s refund policy is pretty standard for the industry. If you buy an impression kit and it turns out that you’re not a good candidate for treatment, SnapCorrect will refund the cost of the kit and any money you prepaid on your aligners.
Beyond that, though, SnapCorrect does not offer refunds for its treatment system after you sign the Consent to Treat form. That said, if you complete your prescribed treatment and you’re not pleased with the final result, SnapCorrect will work with you to make it right. You can apply for a refinement, which will provide you with any additional aligners to achieve the smile of your dreams.
What happens if I mess up my impressions?
Impressions are the most important step of your treatment; doing it right ensures that your aligners will fit your teeth properly. If you do mess them up, SnapCorrect’s team will let you know, and you’ll need to try again.
Common mistakes with impressions include not biting deep enough into the putty or scraping the sides of the tray. This prevents a full view of your teeth. Thankfully, SnapCorrect includes a comprehensive impression guide in each kit to help you get it right the first time. With SnapCorrect, you can even use an impression kit from another company and then send it to SnapCorrect instead.
Does SnapCorrect have upsells?
SnapCorrect doesn’t have any hard upsells during their order process. They do include whitening treatment with the kit, but since it’s complimentary for life, then it’s not an upsell in the slightest sense.
Is there an age requirement for using SnapCorrect?
SnapCorrect doesn’t have a strict age requirement for their treatment. Their only requirement is that all candidates for treatment have all their adult teeth. If a minor wants to use SnapCorrect, they need to obtain parental consent for both the cost and the treatment itself.
On one last note, you should think about your wisdom teeth before getting alignment treatment. If they’re not in yet, or you need to get them removed, you may decide to take care of that first. If not, your teeth may shift and ruin your SnapCorrect alignment.
Will SnapCorrect 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.
How many hours a day should I wear my SnapCorrect aligners?
With SnapCorrect, you need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. If you don’t wear the aligners long enough each day, your chances of discomfort during treatment increase and you might not see the results you want.
Can I drink coffee while using SnapCorrect?
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.
Is SnapCorrect covered by insurance?
SnapCorrect accepts most flexible care payment plans. It’s also possible that your treatment will be partially covered by your insurance, but that all depends on your carrier. You should check with your provider to see if you have orthodontic benefits before purchasing anything from SnapCorrect. The responsibility is ultimately yours to check your own insurance coverage.
How can I contact SnapCorrect’s customer support?
You can contact SnapCorrect by email, phone, or webchat on their website. All three methods are pretty quick, so you can pick whichever is most convenient for you. Their phone number is (360) 244-4141 and you can email them anytime at customerservice@snapcorrect.com.