Frequently asked questions

SmileShop is a dental education platform that helps you understand your dental care. Upload your treatment plan to see if you're overpaying, ask any dental question, and find verified offices with transparent pricing. All information comes from accredited sources like the ADA, NIH, and CDC.

Yes. Uploading your treatment plan, asking questions, and browsing offices is completely free. No signup required. SmileShop is supported by dental offices who pay to be listed on the platform.

Take a photo or upload a PDF of the treatment plan your dentist gave you. Our AI reads every CDT code, translates it into plain English, and compares each price against average costs for your area. You'll see whether each line item is below average, fair, or above average.

Sarah is SmileShop's AI new patient consultant. She can answer your dental questions, explain procedures, look up pricing at your nearest office, and help you book a free consultation. You can chat with her anytime on our website.

Yes. Uploaded treatment plans are processed securely and we strip all personal information (names, dates of birth, insurance IDs) before storing any data. We only keep anonymized procedure codes and pricing data to improve our cost comparisons.

CDT (Current Dental Terminology) codes are standardized codes used by dentists to identify specific procedures. For example, D2750 is a porcelain crown and D6010 is an implant placement. SmileShop translates these codes into plain English so you know exactly what you're paying for.

Prices vary based on geographic location (cities cost more), the type of dentist (specialists charge more), materials used (porcelain costs more than composite), office overhead (newer technology = higher costs), and complexity of your case. The same procedure can legitimately cost 2-3x more at one office vs another.

Free consultations at SmileShop offices typically include a comprehensive exam, 3D CT scan (for implant cases), and a detailed treatment plan with pricing. There's no obligation to proceed. You walk out knowing exactly what you need and what it costs.

No. SmileShop offices offer the same pricing whether you have insurance or not. Many patients find that for bigger procedures like implants, insurance only covers a small portion anyway (most plans cap at $1,000-$2,000/year). Financing options are available to break costs into monthly payments.

For most dental work, a general dentist is fine. For implants, you may need a prosthodontist or periodontist. Root canals on complex teeth go to an endodontist. Wisdom teeth removal is done by an oral surgeon. Braces need an orthodontist. Ask SmileShop's AI chatbot for specific guidance — just type your question on the homepage.

Dental offices can join SmileShop as Pro members. Pro offices get a verified profile page, an AI receptionist (Sarah) that handles calls 24/7, a patient management dashboard, and access to patients searching for dental care. Visit the For Dentists page for details.

Pro membership is $250/month. This includes the AI receptionist (Sarah), a verified profile page, patient management dashboard, SEO pages for your city, and access to patients who find your office through SmileShop. There is also a $90 per-booking fee for patients sourced through SmileShop.