<span data-metadata=""><span data-buffer="">Responsible invisible aligner treatments
At LetSmile we are taking our field of dentistry and its profession very seriously. We are familiar with the risks and dangers of incorrectly performed treatments – while at the same time we are also too familiar with the downsides of standard orthodontic treatments. Innovation comes from the need for change. And this need arises from the incredibly high prices and the inconvenience of physical, time-consuming treatments. This is what we are solving with our proposition. We make dental aesthetic treatments affordable and accessible for everyone. We do so by replacing the physical appointments with modern innovative software – while still having a full experienced dental team on board that approves and monitors your treatment. The limitations of this model are that we can’t treat everyone, which depends on the complexity of the teeth position. If we can’t treat you, we can already tell you very early in the process, which saves time and money. We then refer you to an orthodontic office, because that’s exactly what those orthodontic specialists have been studying for: solving complex cases. The beauty of invisible aligners and its processes is that it’s so predictable and easy, that this is really something you can do from home. In order to make our treatments so successful we take special care to the following fields:
Treatment planning
LetSmile was founded in 2020 and works with a specialized partner laboratory that has been successfully manufacturing clear aligners for over 8 years. Together, more than 100,000 patients in over 25 countries have already been treated, and over 2.5 million aligners have been produced. The software used and the manufacturing processes are based on many years of experience and established standards in aligner therapy.
Clear aligners are not a new development: they have been in use since the late 1990s and have been recognized as an orthodontic treatment since 2004. We combine this proven expertise with modern digital planning processes, clear treatment workflows, and personal support – entirely online.
Each treatment plan is created individually and medically reviewed and approved by licensed dentists or orthodontists. They are responsible for the professional assessment of the planned tooth movements based on the available records (e.g. impressions, photos, and simulations).
Our team also includes dental technicians as well as trained customer service and support staff. They are available throughout the entire treatment to assist with organizational questions, processes, and general inquiries. Medical decisions and adjustments are made exclusively by the treating dental professionals.
The 3D simulation provides a realistic preview of the intended treatment outcome before the start of treatment and serves as a guideline for the planned tooth movements.
However, since every person has an individual biological starting situation (e.g. bone structure, periodontal conditions, and the speed at which teeth move), the actual treatment progress may differ from the simulation. Therefore, a specific treatment outcome cannot be guaranteed.
If, immediately after completion of the planned treatment period, further adjustments are required, the case will be reviewed individually. A prerequisite for this is that the aligners were worn in accordance with the guidelines and that the course of treatment is verifiably documented.
Depending on the medical assessment, an additional corrective treatment (refinement) may be offered. This may include the fabrication of additional aligners and is carried out in accordance with the applicable conditions. The goal is always to achieve the best possible result within the scope of medical possibilities.
Clinical Dangers
During aligner treatment, there are important medical aspects that must be taken into account. Because we take these matters very seriously, we have summarized the key points transparently to explain how we handle specific situations and on what basis decisions are made.
Our treatments are deliberately limited to the front teeth (3–3 positions), meaning the teeth that are visible when smiling. The molars are not actively moved. As a result, we do not make targeted or drastic changes to the occlusion (bite).
We strongly recommend that all patients visit their dentist, orthodontist, or dental hygienist prior to starting treatment to ensure there are no untreated conditions such as cavities or periodontal disease.
If recent dental X-rays are available, they may be provided voluntarily and will be reviewed by our dental team. However, X-rays are not a requirement for front-teeth aligner treatment and are generally only necessary in more complex cases.
The quality of the dental impressions plays a crucial role in the success of the treatment. For this reason, we place great importance on proper impression taking. Patients receive comprehensive support throughout this process, including detailed instructions, guided videos, and personal feedback after submitting photos of their impressions.
Once the impressions arrive at the laboratory, they are carefully reviewed. If they are not suitable for accurate planning, production will not be initiated and new impressions will be requested.
The regular in-person appointments required in traditional orthodontic treatments are replaced in our online model by structured digital monitoring steps. During treatment, patients submit photos at defined intervals, which are reviewed by our dental team to assess treatment progress and oral health.
This approach is sufficient for the types of treatments we offer and allows for safe, efficient remote supervision.
Material
Despite our affordable price compared to the other players in the market, we do make use of the highest and most advanced material for our invisible aligner materials. We use the “K Flex 3 layer foil” which is fully BPA free, CE certified and produced in Dusseldorf, Germany. The three layer foil offers more comfort, while at the same time it offers higher elasticity for the right pressure to push your teeth into the new position.
K Flex consists of a combination of high-performing materials with three layers in a dual-shell structure. The material combines an inner shell and an outer shell. The inner shell is tough and grips the teeth firmly to exert a firm and sustained force on the teeth and move them in a precisely controlled manner. The outer shell provides abrasion resistance, acting as a tough barrier to grinding or bruxing forces of the teeth. Sandwiched between the outer and inner shells, lies the central elastomeric layer which provides elasticity to the entire structure.
The central layer prevents the aligners from getting deformed over time, which is a common disadvantage with most clear aligners with high intensity use due to repeated insertion and removal. It provides the Clear Aligners with the ability to rebound and recover from mechanical deformation. Forces applied in any direction – including rotational forces – receive a rebound response.
Financial Dangers
Oftentimes, we see companies in this field offering to pay for the treatment during up to 72 months (i.e. 6 years) of installment payments, so that you only pay a very limited amount of money per month. However, we strongly believe that besides the financial risk that this implies for you directly – a negative credit score (f.ex. relevant for your interaction with banks and payment providers) and a lot of interest payment – it is also not ethical to have you pay 6 years for a treatment of less than one year. With LetSmile we are super straightforward about all the costs upfront, no misconceptions and three fixed prices for the complete aligner treatment – only the impression kit for your treatment planning comes on top beforehand.
We have the most affordable price in the market which we can offer by only treating cosmetic cases (no molar treatments, cf. above), and we don’t have to pay for physical stores because we do everything online. Next to that, we decided that we won’t strive for huge margins, but rather offer a fair price and set a new industry standard.
Legal
At LetSmile, every treatment is carried out under the medical responsibility of a licensed dentist or orthodontist who reviews and approves the individual treatment plan.
Our partner laboratory is responsible for the technical implementation, the quality of the manufactured aligners, and their production based on the approved treatment plan. All medical assessments and decisions are made exclusively by the treating dental professionals.
We work with a dedicated group of experienced dentists and orthodontists who specialize in treatment with clear aligners and are familiar with applicable European telemedicine regulations, which form the basis of our remote treatment model.
All parties involved work closely together to provide each patient with a carefully planned, professionally sound, and medically appropriate treatment in accordance with current dental standards.
As with any orthodontic treatment, a specific treatment outcome cannot be guaranteed.
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