Table of Contents
- What Went Wrong? The Reasons Behind the Fall
- A Storm of Customer Complaints and Lawsuits
- Financial Struggles and Unsustainable Business Model
- Intense Competition
- The Collapse of Customer Support
- Former SDC Customers’ Concern
- Byte vs. Smile Direct Club: A Tale of Two Downfalls
- Smile Direct Club Alternatives
- Final Thought
- FAQs
For years, Smile Direct Club has claimed to be the best clear aligner provider and a game changer in the orthodontic industry, promising a faster, cheaper, and a reliable treatment alternative to braces. Established in 2014, the company gave a standard solution to millions wanting a straighter smile. Reports claim that the SDC had worked with 225 licensed professionals and had 300 retail locations across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
However, in a shocking turn of events, SDC filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and within less than 3 months, in December 2023 they announced that they were shutting down. On their website, they published:
“ SmileDirectClub made the incredibly difficult decision to wind down its global operations. Thank you for your support and letting us improve over 2 million smiles and lives.”
So, what went wrong? How did a billion-dollar disruptor in the clear aligner industry suddenly crash? And most importantly, what should the stranded Smile Direct Club customers do now? Let’s break it all down.
What Went Wrong? The Reasons Behind the Fall
Smile Direct Club bankruptcywas not an overnight event, rather, it consisted of years of increasing problems, poor customer satisfaction, and financial mismanagement. The following are the key causes what happened to Smile Direct Club.
A Storm of Customer Complaints and Lawsuits
The company claimed to be the biggest provider of clear aligners, offered a perfect solution for people looking for affordable and hassle-free ways to straighten their teeth, ut the Smile Direct Club bankruptcy has proved this claim wrong. As more customers completed their treatment, or in many cases, failed to complete it— it was as if the floodgate of complaints, bad reviews, and lawsuits opened. People were facing issues like:
- Ill-fitting aligners
- Delays and poor services
- Refund and warranty issues
- Damage to teeth
- Teeth sifting back after the treatment
A former customer of Smile Direct Club told the Independent:
“It does feel like they have just walked away. They have left people in the lurch. It’s almost like we are still waiting for something to happen. We don’t know where we are at. It still feels up in the air.”
Financial Struggles and Unsustainable Business Model
Smile Direct Club’s biggest selling point was its affordability, but behind the scenes, the company was hemorrhaging money. SDC poured millions into the aggressive advertising campaign, from TV commercials to influencer sponsorship. This helped build brand awareness, but the return on investment was not strong enough.
They offered financing plans that led to unpaid debts, the company, when shutting down, already communicated with the Smile Pay clients regarding their payment plan program, that they will have to continue to pay until the completion of their payment program.
Intense Competition
When SDC was launched, it had the first-mover advantage in the discreet and at-home clear aligners space. But brands like Invisalign, Byte, and Aligner32 moved ahead to provide more reliable and well-supervised treatment. A common belief was set among the customers that paying a little extra causes no harm if in return you are getting standard care and quality products. This shift in mindset hurt SDC’s ability to retain customers, leading to its eventual decline.
The Collapse of Customer Support
When Smile Direct Club was first launched, it promised not just affordable at-home teeth straightening but also exceptional customer support to guide users through the process. However, as the company grew, it became more notorious for complaints about customer service, unresponsive support teams, and failure to resolve customers' concerns. By the time Smile Direct Club filed for bankruptcy, its customer service had completely collapsed.
Former SDC Customers’ Concern
“Is Smile Direct Club still in business in any way? The answer to this question is no! Smile Direct Club bankruptcy has caused it to go completely out of business. Despite the promise of revolutionary, affordable, convenient, and at-home teeth straightening, customers’ journey with Smile Direct Club has been anything but smooth. Post the Smile Direct Club shutdown, customers with ongoing treatment were left with no access to aligners, support, or refinements.
Canceled Orders and Treatment Plans
All the orders were terminated by Smile Direct Club without any notice. Some had already paid for their aligners but never received them. Also, there is no customer support. Thus, these challenges made it difficult for the patients to continue their treatment.
Payment Obligations and Refunds
Although SDC immediately halted all services, the company informed Smile Pay customers—its internal payment plan program—that they must continue making monthly payments until their plan is fully paid.
Byte vs. Smile Direct Club: A Tale of Two Downfalls
The clear aligner industry was once dominated by disruptors like Byte and Smile Direct Club (SDC) but has faced significant turmoil in recent years. While both companies aimed to revolutionize orthodontics with direct-to-consumer (DTC) aligners, their journeys ended in downfall—though in different ways.
| Smile Direct Club | Byte |
|---|---|
| Despite its rapid rise, SDC struggled with legal challenges, customer dissatisfaction, and financial instability. The company faced multiple lawsuits, regulatory scrutiny, and growing skepticism from dental professionals regarding the safety and effectiveness of its treatment. | Unlike SDC, Byte’s downfall was less dramatic. Byte gradually lost momentum, with declining marketing efforts and reduced visibility in the market. In early 2024, Byte’s operations were shut down, due to financial underperformance and a strategic shift in priorities. |
| SDC filed for bankruptcy in September 2023. In December 2023, the company announced an abrupt shutdown, immediately terminating all services, including customer support, while still requiring Smile Pay customers to continue payments. | Byte customers, unlike SDC’s, were not left completely in the dark. Many were transitioned to Dentsply’s alternative treatment options, avoiding the abrupt service termination |
Smile Direct Club Alternatives
We understand the frustration of unfinished treatments, unanswered questions, and wasted money after Smile Direct Club Bankruptcy.. You may now be looking for Smile Direct Club’s alternatives. Let us introduce you to Aligner32— your trusted alternative for clear aligner treatment. If Smile Direct Club's bankruptcy has cost you also and the company has left you stranded, Aligner32 has got you covered.
Aligner32: Your New Direct-to-Consumer Aligner Company
If affordability and quality are your priority, then you have come to the right place. Have a look at the following solution and see why aligner32 is the most trusted one amongSmile Direct Club alternatives.
Took Impressions But Never Got My Treatment Plan
If you made the impressions before Smile Direct Club bankruptcy, but never got the treatment plan for your teeth alignment? Don’t worry! We are here to help you out. Just start your personalized alignment treatment with Aligner32 and get an advanced smile makeover without any stress.
My Treatment is Ongoing
Your treatment is ongoing, and Smile Direct Club has left you in the middle. No worries! Contact our 24/7 support to resolve all your confusion about the treatment, or start your journey with Aligner32 by ordering our premium-quality clear aligners at discounted rates.
Need Post-Treatment Plan
If you have completed your aligner treatment with Smile Direct Club, then you are surely looking for ways to retain your results. Aligner32 offers custom-made retainers at affordable rates shipped directly to your doorstep.
Final Thought
If you are a former Smile Direct Club customer and want a reliable alternative for teeth alignment treatment, switch to Aligner32 now. You will not be disappointed. Secure your smile journey with our promised professional care, and explore your options to get the treatment without any delay!
FAQs
Q1. Why did SmileDirectClub shut down?
A: Smile Direct Club (SDC) shut down due to a combination of financial struggles, legal challenges, and declining consumer confidence.
Q2. Why do dentists not recommend SmileDirectClub?
A: Smile Direct Club was not recommended by dentists. They cautioned continuously against the risk of misdiagnosis and the lack of informed consent, especially during all stages of treatment.
Q3. What is the best Smile Direct Club alternative?
A: If you are a former Smile Direct Club customer and looking for an alternative for your teeth alignment treatment, Aligner32 is the only one that can fulfill all your needs to align your teeth.
Q4. Can I use my existing Byte impression kit with a new provider?
A: Yes, if you have bought Smile Direct Club’s impression kit but your treatment is not started yet, you can send your impressions to Aligner32 and we will use them to make a personalized treatment plan for you.
Q5. What if I’ve completed treatment with Byte and need retainers?
A: After completing your treatment with Smile Direct Club, it's time for retainers to maintain the results. Aligner32 helps you retain your results by manufacturing premium retainers from strong medical-grade materials for a flawless fit and long-lasting protection for your smile.
References
British Dental Association. (2023, December 11). Smile Club collapse: It shouldn’t have taken a bankruptcy to protect patients. British Dental Assocation. https://www.bda.org/media-centre/smile-club-collapse-it-shouldn-t-have-taken-a-bankruptcy-to-protect-patients/
Why Did Smile Direct Club Shut Down & What It Means for You. (n.d.). HIP. https://hip.agency/why-did-smile-direct-club-shut-down/#:~:text=Why%20Did%20Smile%20Direct%20Club%20Go%20Out%20Of%20Business%3F,service%20for%20a%20fair%20price.
Staff. (2024, March 4). Smile Direct is Bankrupt, So Here Are Your Alternatives. Dental Health Society. https://dentalhealthsociety.com/braces/smile-direct-is-bankrupt-so-here-are-your-alternatives/
Grantham-Philips, W. (2023, December 29). SmileDirectClub is shutting down. Here’s the impact on its customers | AP News. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/smile-direct-club-shuts-down-bankruptcy-ecff8127b0bf54812a98217dde5a2170
