SmileDirectClub Is Gone: What Former Customers Should Do Now

In September 2023, SmileDirectClub once one of the largest direct-to-consumer aligner companies in the world filed for bankruptcy and shut down operations almost overnight. The closure left an estimated 50,000 or more customers in various stages of active treatment with no provider, no support, and no clear path forward. Many more had completed treatment but now face the reality of needing replacement retainers with nowhere to turn.

If you are one of those former SmileDirectClub customers, this article is written specifically for you. We will explain what happened, what your options are, and what to do depending on where you were in the treatment process when the company closed.

What Happened to SmileDirectClub?

SmileDirectClub grew rapidly through aggressive marketing, low entry-price aligners, and a direct-to-consumer model that removed the need for in-person orthodontist visits. At its peak, the company had served millions of customers across the United States and internationally. However, the business faced mounting financial pressure from declining sales, increasing competition, and legal challenges related to its clinical oversight model.

In September 2023, the company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy not a reorganization, but a full liquidation. Clubs closed. Customer service went dark. Existing treatment plans were abandoned mid-stream. Unlike a business restructuring, there was no transition plan, no referral to successor providers, and no organized process for affected customers to complete their care.

What Former SDC Customers Should Do Right Now

Step 1: Don’t Stop Wearing What You Have

If you have remaining aligners from your SmileDirectClub treatment, continue wearing them as prescribed. Stopping abruptly allows your teeth to shift back toward their original positions, potentially undoing progress you already paid for. If you have completed your aligner series and have retainers, wear your retainers every night. This is the most important immediate action.

Step 2: See a Local Dentist or Orthodontist for an Assessment

Book an appointment with a local dental professional to have your current tooth position assessed. They can tell you: how far along your treatment was, whether the progress made so far is stable, whether additional movement is still needed, and what kind of provider or solution makes sense for your specific situation. This assessment does not obligate you to any treatment it just gives you an accurate picture of where things stand.

Step 3: Get Your Dental Records If Possible

SmileDirectClub’s digital records may still be partially accessible through its legacy systems or through the bankruptcy estate. Some customers have been able to retrieve their 3D scan data, treatment history, and aligner progression records. This information can help a new provider continue your treatment more accurately rather than starting from scratch.

Step 4: Find a Replacement Provider

Your options fall into three general categories depending on how far along you were in treatment:

• Treatment was completed, just need retainers: A new at-home aligner provider including Smiles.club can take new impressions of your current tooth position and fabricate a custom retainer. This is the most straightforward scenario.
• Treatment was mostly complete (in the final stages): A new provider’s reviewing orthodontist can evaluate your impressions and determine whether minor refinements are needed. In many cases, a new retainer holding your current position is sufficient.
• Treatment was significantly incomplete: You will likely need a new full or partial treatment plan. A new provider can assess your current position against your original goals and build a plan that gets you the rest of the way there. Smiles.club’s licensed orthodontists review every case and can advise on the most efficient path forward.

What to Look For in a SmileDirectClub Replacement

The SmileDirectClub experience taught a lot of former customers some hard lessons about what to look for and what to avoid in a clear aligner provider. Here is what matters most:

• Transparent, all-inclusive pricing. SDC customers often discovered additional fees during or after treatment. Look for a provider that tells you the total cost upfront including the impression kit, all aligners, and the retainer with nothing hidden.
• A genuine money-back guarantee. If you submit impressions and are not a candidate, you should get a full refund. Period.
• US-based company with US-made aligners. A company with domestic operations and manufacturing is more accountable and less likely to vanish without notice.
• State-licensed orthodontist oversight. Your treatment plan should be designed and approved by a credentialed professional not an algorithm.
• Non-toxic, BPA-free materials. The quality of the plastic your aligners are made from matters for your health and for the accuracy of your treatment.

Why Smiles.club Is a Strong SmileDirectClub Alternative

Smiles.club was built on the principles that SDC ultimately failed to uphold: transparent pricing, professional orthodontist oversight, non-toxic US-made materials, and a straightforward money-back guarantee for patients who do not qualify. We are based in Pleasant Grove, Utah a real company with real people and every treatment plan is personally reviewed and designed by a state-licensed orthodontist.

For former SmileDirectClub customers, our process starts with a new set of at-home impressions. Your impressions are reviewed by our orthodontist, who assesses your current tooth position and builds a treatment plan based on where you are now and where you want to end up. If you need only a retainer, we make that. If you need finishing aligners, we build that plan. If you are not a candidate for any reason, you receive a full refund.

The Bottom Line

SmileDirectClub’s closure was a shock to tens of thousands of people in the middle of dental treatment. If you were one of them, the most important thing to know is that you are not out of options. Keep wearing what you have, get a professional assessment, and find a provider with the transparency and stability that SDC ultimately lacked. Your treatment can be completed and your investment protected.

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