Six Month Smiles is an orthodontic treatment created for adults (aged 16 and above) with misaligned, crooked, and spaced teeth.
The teeth straightening program uses tooth-colored wires for your discretion. They also have clear aligner trays available if you prefer to get adult braces that you can take off any time.
As the name states, they claim this teeth straightening treatment will give you a better smile in an average treatment time of 6 months.
As good as it may sound, Six Month Smiles is not for everyone. But how will you know if it is the right treatment for you?
Here, we give a review on how Six Month Smiles work to help you make an informed decision.
Pros
- Quick treatment time
- Offers discreet braces and clear aligners that you can mix and match
- Affordable treatment
- In-house guidance from start to end
Cons
- Very limited treatment – works best for front teeth
- Will not work on correcting bite problems
Six Month Smiles Review: How does it work?
First, you need to do a consultation to see if you are a candidate for the program. To do so, you have to meet up with a Six Month Smiles provider in your area to assess the condition of your teeth.
You can go to their official website to look for Six Month Smiles dentists in your area. They have a “Find a Doctor” page. If you find that there are no dentists in your area, you can fill out a form on the site and their Care Team will look for Providers in your area for you.
Once you find a Six Month Smiles provider, you have to visit them in their office to be assessed. The dentist will take pictures and x-rays of your teeth. You will pay for the consultation but the payment will be deducted from the total treatment cost if you decide to proceed with the treatment.
Once the provider examines you and finds you to be a good candidate for the program, you will be approved for the treatment and the provider will immediately take impressions of your teeth. Your impressions will be sent to the Six Month Smiles lab.
The Six Month Smiles provider will have to wait for Six Month Smiles to produce the customized clear braces or clear aligners kit for you. It usually takes about one to two weeks for them to be shipped to your dentist’s office.
When you go to your appointment, it will only take an hour or less to install your Six Month Smiles braces and you will be happily on your way. Once your clear braces are bonded to your teeth, the dentist will give you instructions on how to care for them. Generally, you will have to floss and brush your teeth regularly and rinse with water after meals so that you do not stain the tooth-colored braces.
If you choose to go with the Six Month Smiles aligners, you will be instructed to wear them for 22 hours each day. You can only remove them when you are drinking, eating, or brushing your teeth.
Six Month Smiles Review: Treatment
The Six Month Smiles program is an in-office treatment. This means you will be required to visit your dentist in their office to monitor your progress. This contributes to its expensive cost.
However, the good thing about this is that you have an appointed guide in every step of the journey. You get to discuss any concerns you may have with your dentist in person. If things are not going right, it will be easier to modify your treatment plan.
Another good thing about an in-office treatment is that your Six Month Smiles provider will stand as the middle man between you and Six Month Smiles. Basically, your dentist will be doing most of the work.
You have to know that this treatment was created specifically for general dentists and not orthodontists. This could mean the treatment you will be getting will be less effective, which is why I only recommend it for those who have very minor issues unless you find a Six Month Smiles provider who is an orthodontist.
You should know that an orthodontist has more years of training compared to a dentist. This makes them more fit for the job when it comes to procedures like straightening your teeth.
Take note that the Six Month Smiles is a cosmetic treatment so they will not work as good as metal braces. If you have reached the end of your treatment and you are not happy with the result, your dentist can help you find a solution.
If you are using clear aligners, your dentist could order additional aligners to finish the work. If you are using the clear Six Month Smiles braces, they can remain and be adjusted for longer than 6 months. Or they can finish the job with another type of cosmetic orthodontic treatment.
Of course, this extra work means you have to pay extra too. To avoid paying for extra work, only get this treatment if you have minor problems in your front teeth. Otherwise, consider checking out other treatment options.
Once your treatment is over, you will be asked to wear a retainer every night for life. This is the case for any teeth straightening or orthodontic treatment. The retainers are required to ensure that your teeth will maintain its improved form.
Six Month Smiles Review: Appearance on your teeth
Clear aligners
The clear aligners are made out of Zendura plastics – the same material that Invisalign and Candid use. This material is not only safe and reliable but also they are comfortable.
However, the overall finish is too shiny that it kind of looks unnatural. If you want clear aligners to look as natural as possible, you should check out other brands that have a frosted finish. Some people like the shininess though as they feel like it gives an extra gleam to their smile.
The clear aligners can be cut straight or they can be trimmed to match your gum line. Between the two, having them trimmed to fit your gum line will appear more pleasing. However, straight-cut clear aligners apply four times the amount of force on your teeth so they are more effective in moving your teeth into the right position.
Clear braces
Six Month Smiles braces are clear and more noticeable compared to the Six Month Smiles aligners. However, the tooth-colored wires and translucent brackets can blend with your teeth and give you enough discretion. People will only notice that you have them on up close.
If you want the effectiveness of traditional braces but not the metallic look of them, the Six Month Smiles braces are a great step up when it comes to appearance.
6 Month Smile Review: Customer service
Since this is an in-office treatment, your Six Month Smiles provider can address any concerns you have personally. You can easily give your dentist a call in their office or talk to them face-to-face on your next appointment.
This is great since you are talking to someone who knows you and your case. This is a more efficient process compared to asking a question to a customer service representative who may not even have knowledge of dental matters.
Your Six Month Smiles provider can collaborate with the Six Month Smiles support team if there need to be any revisions in your treatment plan.
If you want to contact Six Month Smiles directly, you can go to their website and leave a message through their Contact Us form, send them an e-mail, give them a call, or reach out to their social media pages. They can answer your question within 24 hours. You can find their email address and phone number on their website.
Six Month Smile Review: Price
The good news is Six Month Smiles actually has a cheaper price tag compared to traditional braces. But the cost will vary depending on your dental case. It can range between $3500 and $5000. Your dentist will have the final say on the cost of six month smile treatment as this is a case-to-case basis.
There are multiple financing options for you to choose from when it comes to dealing with Six Month Smiles.
Monthly plan
Six Month Smiles offers a monthly plan where you give a down payment of $399 and will be paying as low as $86 per month.
Insurance
Some healthcare and dental insurance can cover a portion of the Six Month Smiles treatment. To be sure, contact your insurance provider and ask if this is possible.
HSA and FSA
You also have the other option of combining your private dental insurance with your Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flex Spending Account (FSA). This option can greatly reduce your out-of-pocket cost.
Dentist payment plans
Most dentists will also offer payment plans to help you deal with the cost but take note that this option usually requires a credit check and high interest rates. If you have a bad credit score, you may not be able to qualify for this payment plan.
Six Month Smiles Treatment: What to expect
By the first month, you will notice that some movement has begun. You will be seeing your Six Month Smiles dentist a couple more times after that since you will be needing three to seven adjustments on your clear adult braces, depending on how the treatment is progressing. By the 6th month, you can take your braces off!
Aside from providing quick results through a 6-month average treatment time, Six Month Smiles claim their clear braces to be comfortable and safe to use.
Six Month Smiles only works on your front teeth, which is basically just what you need to work on for a great smile. Most people do not realize that this is just a front teeth treatment and often end up being disappointed because of the limitations of the treatment plan. They end up getting another treatment for the second time to work on their other teeth and end up consuming more money and time on dental treatments.
Since it is only effective for your front teeth, basically, you will not feel any improvements in the way you bite. The treatment by Six Month Smiles will not correct any bite problems or help widen a bite.
Six Month Smile Review: Comparison to other brands
Some people would ask, why take Six Month Smiles when there are better-looking options like Invisalign?
When comparing Six Month Smiles with the brand Invisalign, some cases would have to deal with filing the teeth to make space for the teeth to move around. It does look more aesthetically pleasing to the point that you hardly notice they are there. But it is a costly option and you also have to do regular office visits and pay for them.
Even if you go with the 6 Month Smiles clear aligners, it is still an in-office treatment. If you want to take the invisible braces option but remotely, meaning you do not have to do office visits, I suggest you explore other brands like Candid or SmileDirect since they offer the same treatment at a lower cost.
The thing about traditional braces is that they are definitely more effective and work best for severe cases of malocclusion. But Six Month Smiles turns out to be a better visual choice compared to traditional braces. For some cases, getting traditional braces means tooth extraction and waiting a long 2 years to get treated. The metal braces are not even visually appealing and it could lower your self-confidence.
Six Month Smiles may not be entirely clear or invisible but the fact that they use tooth-colored brackets, bands, and wires means they are also hardly noticeable from afar.
FAQs
Does 6 Month Smile really work?
You have to take note that 6 Month Smiles always say “average treatment time” meaning this will not be a guarantee. Most patients do get to finish their treatment time in six months, while other people will have a treatment time of 9 months. It is more of a case-to-case basis.
Do I need to see a dentist for Six Month Smile treatment on my teeth?
Yes, you do. Whether you choose the clear braces or clear aligners, trained professionals are needed to monitor your treatment from start to finish and to make adjustments to your clear braces to produce the best results.
If you are looking for a DIY or remote straightening treatment, I suggest you check out another option like Candid, Byte, or SmileDirectClub.
Is 6 Month Smile dangerous?
The clear braces do not hurt but you will feel a bit of discomfort during the first few days that you are wearing them. You will eventually get used to it and function as if they are not there after that.
There will be a bit of pain and discomfort when adjustments are made but it is a short one and people barely complain after. The folks at 6 Month Smiles compare the experience to getting a workout at the gym. You will feel sore after working out but then you eventually get better.
If you only have a mild to moderate case of crooked teeth, misalignment, or gap, I suggest you go for clear aligners or invisible braces from another option like AlignerCo, Straight My Teeth, New Smile, or Clear Correct as these may not be as aggressive.
Will I be able to eat comfortably with clear braces?
The thing about braces is that your teeth are loosening up so they can move around to the right position. This would make you feel some slight discomfort when you are eating.
Some people claim they feel like they have to learn how to eat all over again. You have to rediscover the best places to chew and how to prevent food from getting trapped in your braces.
Make sure that you floss and brush your teeth after eating. Braces mean there are more spaces for food to get trapped in.
Once you have your braces on, you may find yourself taking smaller bites and chewing more slowly and carefully. It is best to choose your meals wisely especially if you are eating in public.
Can 6 Month Smile correct overbite?
No. The treatment plan only works on the front teeth so it will not have any impact on your bite. If you need to correct your overbite, you have to try other another brand or seek out other orthodontic treatment options.
Which is better, Invisalign or 6 Month Smile?
Having all things considered, Invisalign has lesser limitations than 6 month smile. If you want to straighten not just your front teeth, Invisalign is a better choice. However, Invisalign is also more expensive.
Conclusion
Overall, Six Month Smiles is best for adults who have a mild case of crowding, misalignment, or spacing in their front teeth. If you have these minor flaws, you can work on them to boost your confidence with Six Month Smiles.
The shortened treatment time of 6 months is actually because it is focused on moving only the most visible teeth. If you want to work on areas beyond that, you might need to look for other options. Six Month Smiles are very limited and work best for front teeth correction.
Orthodontic treatment does not come cheap so you have to make sure that the treatment you choose will give you great results to get your money’s worth. Six Month Smiles is created to be an expedited, cosmetic treatment that deals with minor issues. Because of this, 6 Month Smiles is not recommended for patients who have dental issues or need more orthodontic attention.
If all you are aiming for is a straighter smile and you are not dealing with any other dental issues, the Six Month Smile system is worth a try. The clear aligners and clear braces cost cheaper than traditional braces or leading brands like Invisalign and they also offer a faster treatment time.
Weighing the pros and cons, 6 Month Smiles have mostly positive reviews from their patients but the results are not as dramatic as one would hope they would be. If you are seeking a major change, it is best to seek other options.
That being said, I suggest that you still consult an orthodontist first before you try out any straightening treatment. This is because to be approved as a candidate for these treatments, you need to have good oral health and no oral issues such as cavities or gum issues. Getting expert opinion will help you acknowledge all your options before making a decision.