Did you know that SmileDirectClub declared bankruptcy and canceled its services last year? It’s estimated that tens of thousands of patients are impacted by the news and probably have many questions. Will they be able to continue their treatment? What happens to those with ongoing payments? Is it feasible for customers to switch to Invisalign with their local dentist?
If you’ve been receiving direct-to-consumer teeth-aligner treatments from this company, continue reading to learn more about what you can expect moving forward.
What Happened to SmileDirectClub?
SmileDirectClub was founded in 2014 and provided clear dental aligners directly to patients through the mail. This was a huge convenience for millions of patients over the years, but unfortunately, it wasn’t always necessarily good for them. Without a qualified professional to perform an initial examination or monitor a patient’s ongoing progress, some people developed issues like gum disease or bite alignment problems. Legal battles ensued and it became difficult for the company to stay competitive with authorized providers of orthodontic treatments. As a result, they declared bankruptcy in the fall of 2023 and terminated their services in December.
Will I Still Have to Pay?
If you had signed up for a SmilePay plan to cover the cost of your direct-to-customer aligners, all questions about your financial obligations should be directed to the service provider, HFD. You can contact them online on their website at www.gohfd.com, by emailing support@gohfd.com, or by calling their customer service line at 1-877-874-3877.
If you already made payments towards a delivery that you never received, there aren’t specific instructions at this time. No additional information has been shared about possible refunds at this time, but the next steps may be communicated once the bankruptcy process is complete.
Will My Treatment Continue?
Unfortunately, current patients will no longer receive their new clear aligners, and new patients’ orders that weren’t shipped have been canceled. The only information the company has provided is to recommend that patients consult their doctor or dentist with any questions about resuming or completing their treatment.
Many dentists provide solutions like Invisalign which can do the same thing as the aligners you ordered, except with an expert’s guidance and supervision. Before you get started, though, you’ll need an appointment to have a consultation and examination. Then, your dentist can give you recommendations based on your current oral condition. If you have extremely overcrowded teeth or a severe bite misalignment, for example, they might recommend traditional braces, instead.
Though this may be an inconvenient surprise for many, your dentist is ready and willing to help you pick up the pieces so you can finally have the beautifully straight teeth that you deserve!
About the Practice
At Dentistry by Brand, experts have been helping patients of all ages improve their lives by building healthy smiles for over 30 years. They provide a full range of services to meet all your dental needs, including Invisalign orthodontics. Their friendly staff creates a warm and comfortable atmosphere, so you always feel welcomed and well cared for. If you were a SmileDirectClub customer and require assistance, you’re welcome to request a consultation appointment on the website or by calling (972) 495-9009.