Who are SmileDirectClub?

SmileDirectClub was a teledentistry company that provided clear aligners as an alternative to traditional braces for teeth straightening. The company was founded in 2014 and operated on a direct-to-consumer model, allowing customers to receive dental treatment remotely without in-person visits to a traditional orthodontist.

While this model offers convenience, it has its downsides and SmileDirectClub has faced some controversies. Criticisms included the lack of in-person supervision, quality of care and the effectiveness of remote treatment.

Despite these concerns, SmileDirectClub established itself as a market leader in mail-order orthodontics and treated more than 2 million patients.

Unfortunately, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and subsequently ‘wound down its global operations’. Patients were given no warning and very little support. The website was replaced by a concise FAQ page, advising customers that treatment was no longer available and to seek help from their local dentist (many of whom won’t have experience in orthodontics).

How we can help

If you’ve been affected by the collapse of SmileDirectClub, we’re here to guide you through your options and help you get your smile back on track.

We specialise in straightening teeth, and our orthodontists in Hove, East Sussex have decades of experience.

You can get started with a no-obligation free consultation where we’ll examine your smile and go through all your options, including Invisalign, fixed braces and retainers to keep your teeth straight.

Invisalign is a fantastic clear aligner system that, like SmileDirectClub, uses custom-made aligners to straighten teeth. Better still, Invisalign is more advanced with extra features and combined with the care and supervision of a specialist, we can achieve incredible results.

Dr Iain Hoeltschi is an Invisalign Diamond provider, and he’s been given a generous discount on lab fees from Invisalign that we can pass on to patients of SmileDirectClub.

Smile for life

When SmileDirectClub closed, it also meant the end of its lifetime guarantee, which included free touch-ups for life.

Retention is an essential part of orthodontic treatment, and we provide fixed and removable retainers as standard.

If you’ve already completed your treatment with SmileDirectClub but you’re concerned that your teeth are moving, or you don’t have retainers, don’t hesitate to get in touch.