Smile Direct Club offers doctor-directed teeth straightening via convenient, affordable aligners.
Available in nighttime and daytime options, Smile Direct Club fixes teeth alignment issues with average treatment times of 4 to 10 months, depending on your type of aligner.
Is Smile Direct Club legit? Should you buy aligners through Smile Direct Club? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Smile Direct Club today in our review.
What is Smile Direct Club?
Smile Direct Club was founded in 2014 to provide affordable and convenient oral care solutions to anyone.
Since launch, Smile Direct Club has helped more than two million people improve their smiles and access cutting-edge dental telehealth services.
Smile Direct Club also offers SmileShops across the United States. SmileShops include hundreds of affiliated state-licensed dentists and orthodontists in all 50 states. Whether you want to access Smile Direct Club services over the internet or in-person, you have multiple options.
Smile Direct Club’s flagship products include a daytime aligner and nighttime aligner. You wear the daytime aligner 22 hours a day to improve your smile in around 4 to 6 months. Or, you wear the nighttime aligner 10 continuous hours each night to improve your smile in around 8 to 10 months.
Smile Direct Club Benefits
Smile Direct Club is a leader in the online dental health scene. Some of the benefits of straightening teeth with Smile Direct Club include:
- 2 million satisfied customers to date
- Individual treatment plans prescribed, directed, and managed by state-licensed doctors
- 100% of doctors have 5+ years of aligner therapy experience
- Online and in-person treatment available in all 50 states via local SmileShops
- Aligners made by largest clear aligner manufacturer in the United States
- Lifetime smile guarantee
Buy Smile Direct Club today and start enjoying the benefits!
How Does Smile Direct Club Work?
Your journey to a better smile starts with an impression kit. You can order an at-home impression kit for $59 (with free returns). Or, you can book a free 3D scan at any Smile Direct Club SmileShop location nationwide.
After completing an impression kit, you get an individual treatment plan prescribed, directed, and managed by a state-licensed doctor.
Smile Direct Club has doctors licensed in all 50 states. When you work with Smile Direct Club, you work with one of these doctors to ensure Smile Direct Club’s aligners are the right fit for you.
Each Smile Direct Club doctor has 5+ years of aligner therapy experience. Together, these doctors have straightened the teeth of more than two million Smile Direct Club members worldwide.
To create an aligner customized to you, Smile Direct Club uses advanced technology like Smart Sculpt (to ensure a precise fit) and Comfort Sense (to safely and gradually move your teeth into the correct position).
All aligners are made in the United States. In fact, Smile Direct Club works with America’s largest clear retainer manufacturer to create customized manufacturers unique to your mouth.
As a testament to Smile Direct Club’s longevity in the industry, the company holds dozens of patents related to clear aligners, comfortable treatment, and overall dental care. They’re a genuine leader in the clear retainer industry.
Smile Direct Club’s aligners cost as little as $3 per day ($89 per month). Or, you can pay a one time fee of $2,050. You can also finance retainers, pay with insurance, or use money in your HSA or FSA to cover the cost.
Once you’ve completed your Smile Direct Club program after 4 to 10 months, you can buy retainers for $99 per set. Retainers prevent your teeth from slipping back to their previous positions. Smile Direct Club also backs its claims with a Lifetime Smile Guarantee.
Visit official website to learn more about Smile Direct Club >>>
Smile Direct Club Aligner Options
Smile Direct Club offers two flagship aligner options. You can choose the daytime option for a shorter average treatment time. Or, you can wear the nighttime aligners, which have a longer treatment time but are worn at home.
Here are Smile Direct Club’s two flagship aligner options:
Smile Direct Club Nighttime Aligners
- 10 hours of continuous wear each night
- Average treatment time of 8 to 10 months
- $2,050 or $89 per month
Smile Direct Club Daytime Aligners
- 22 hours of wear time each day
- Take out aligner when eating or drinking
- Average treatment time of 4 to 6 months
- $2,050 or $89 per month
Smile Direct Club Features
From Byte to Invisalign, there are other invisible aligner options available today. Why pick Smile Direct Club? What makes Smile Direct Club different from other companies?
Here are some of the features that distinguish Smile Direct Club from other brands:
3D Printed Aligners: Smile Direct Club works with the largest invisible aligner manufacturer in the United States to 3D print aligners based on the shape of your mouth.
Comfort Sense: Smile Direct Club uses Comfort Sense to ensure its aligners are as comfortable in your mouth as possible. That technology involves using 3D printers and laser manufacturing to cut aligners to the optimal standards to match the contour of your teeth, improving the fit at your gumline. Comfort Sense also involves using soft, medium, and hard aligners to gradually nudge your teeth into their optimal position.
Smart Sculpt: In addition to Comfort Sense, Comfort Sense uses Smart Sculpt to create retainers specific to your teeth and mouth. Smart Sculpt involves using advanced 3D printing standards to cut the optimal retainer based on each curve of your mouth, leading to a better fit. Comfort Sense uses a 3D image of your mouth and Smart Sculpt technology to ensure the best fit.
Wear Aligners for 10 to 22 Hours: You can wear your Smile Direct Club aligners for 10 hours each night (using the nighttime retainers) or 22 hours a day (using the daytime retainers). The daytime retainers have shorter average treatment times (taking 4 to 6 months, on average, to fix your teeth), while the nighttime retainers have longer average treatment times (taking 8 to 10 months, on average, to fix teeth).
Available in Multiple Countries: Smile Direct Club is available in all 50 states in the United States. The company has also expanded to the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Customers in all countries can access local SmileShops for in-person impressions, then get aligners shipped directly to their address.
Possibly Covered by Insurance: Smile Direct Club may be wholly or partially covered by your dental insurance. In fact, you can visit the Smile Direct Club insurance page to determine exactly how much your provider will cover, making it easy to see the out-of-pocket cost of treatment before you begin. Smile Direct Club’s insurance partners include United Healthcare, MetLife, Aetna, Anthem, Empire, Dominion National, and Capital, among others.
HSA & FSA Eligible: You can pay for Smile Direct Club’s aligners using funds from your HSA or FSA. The company accepts both. Just process your HSA or FSA debit card like you would use any credit or debit card.
Financing Available: Smile Direct Club offers financing with 100% approval. You can pay as little as $3 per day ($89 per month) for 26 months ($2,564 total) to finance the cost of your Smile Direct Club aligners. Plus, there are no credit checks or forms to complete. APRs vary from state to state.
Affordable Treatment: At $2,050 for daytime or nighttime aligners, Smile Direct Club is one of the more affordable treatment options available today. The company emphasizes affordability by cutting out the middleman, avoiding markups, and dealing directly with customers. Overall, Smile Direct Club aims to cost around 60% less than braces while offering comparable results.
2 Million Smiles Served: Smile Direct Club has helped more than 2 million customers improve their smile since launching in 2014.
Lifetime Smile Guarantee: Smile Direct Club offers a Lifetime Smile Guarantee, which protects your purchase at multiple stages. You can receive a full refund on Smile Direct Club if you’re unhappy within the first 30 days of treatment. You can also receive a full refund on your impression kit ($59) if a doctor determines aligners aren’t the right choice for you.
Free Teeth Whitening with Every Purchase: Smile Direct Club wants you to show off your new smile after you straighten it. All purchases come with complimentary Bright On teeth whitening.
Aligners & Retainers Made in the United States: All Smile Direct Club aligners and retainers are made in the United States from BPA-free material. In fact, Smile Direct Club manufactures an aligner every 6 seconds at its ISO-certified, FDA-registered, 3D-printing facility in the United States.
Mobile App: Smile Direct Club has a top-rated mobile app for iOS and Android. That mobile app lets you track the progress of your smile, contact customer service, and access other parts of the Smile Direct Club experience from the comfort of your mobile device.
Available to Teens: Smile Direct Club offers treatment for teenagers, and the company markets its aligners to teens and parents who want to straighten teeth. Whether avoiding the high cost of braces or looking for more discreet options, you can give your teen a lifetime of confidence with Smile Direct Club.
SmileShop Locations Nationwide: Smile Direct Club works with dentists in all 50 states to offer SmileShops, which are in-person clinics where you can get an impression and create a 3D image of your mouth. If you don’t want to complete an impression at home, or if you want to interact with a Smile Direct Club dental professional in person, then you can schedule a free 30-minute visit at a SmileShop in your area. You can view SmileShop locations at the official website here.
How to Get Started with Smile Direct Club
You can get started with Smile Direct Club in three simple steps, including:
Step 1) Order an impression kit or visit a SmileShop for an in-person scan. You can order an impression kit to your address for $59. Complete the impression kit at home, then ship it back for free. Or, you can complete an impression at a SmileShop in-person. Smile Direct Club maintains hundreds of SmileShop locations across the United States, partnering with local dentists to offer easy, in-person impressions.
Step 2) Smile Direct Club’s state-licensed doctors create a customized treatment plan. Smile Direct Club’s team of state-licensed doctors review your 3D image, photos, and medical history to determine if aligners are the right choice for you. Then, the company manufactures aligners unique to your mouth using Smart Sculpt technology. Aligners also use ComfortSense to gradually nudge your teeth into their optimal position.
Step 3) Wear aligners daily to adjust your teeth. If you chose the daytime aligners, then you’ll wear the aligners for around 22 hours a day, taking them out only when eating or drinking. If you wear the nighttime aligners, then you wear the aligners for around 10 continuous hours each night. Daytime aligners correct your teeth within 4 to 6 months, while nighttime aligners work within 8 to 10 months.
All Smile Direct Club purchases are backed by the Lifetime Smile Guarantee. If you’re unhappy at any step of the process, you can request a complete refund. Smile Direct Club will refund the cost of the impression kit if aligners aren’t the right choice for you, for example, and the company will refund 100% of your purchase within 30 days if you’re unsatisfied.
Other Smile Direct Club Products
Smile Direct Club’s flagship products are its daytime and nighttime aligners. However, the company offers other products, including teeth whitening kits, touch-up gel pens, water flossers, and more.
Here are all products currently available through Smile Direct Club:
Premium Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light ($40): Whiten teeth using the included gel, then enhance the effects with the LED light. The LED light activates the active ingredient inside the gel to enhance the cleaning effects.
Ultra-Gentle Sensitivity-Free Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light ($50): Smile Direct Club makes a special version of its teeth whitening gel for those with sensitive teeth, helping you improve the appearance of your teeth regardless of their sensitivity.
Gel Kits ($25 to $75): Smile Direct Club’s gel kits include gel pens, teeth whitening gel, and replacement gels for the whitening kits above. You can use an enamel-safe whitening agent and no-mess brush applicator to paint gel directly on your teeth.
Pro Series ($25 to $90): Smile Direct Club offers a Pro Series of teeth whitening products. This pro series includes teeth whitening kits at various levels of intensity to improve the whiteness of your teeth dramatically.
Teeth Whitening Strips ($30 for 18 Strips): Smile Direct Club offers teeth whitening strips. Just place the strips on your teeth, then let them dissolve to noticeably improve the whiteness of your teeth.
Accessories & Enhancers ($17 to $25): Smile Direct Club offers accessories and enhancers, including teeth whitening gel pens, touch up pens, stain barriers, and LED accessory lights, among others.
Water Flosser ($40): Smile Direct Club’s water flosser makes it easy to floss your teeth quickly and effectively. You can also buy replacement water flosser tips for $5 (for a two-pack).
Countertop Flosser ($60): Smile Direct Club also offers a countertop flossing system, allowing you to save space while enjoying the benefits of a water flosser.
Toothbrushes ($19 to $23): Smile Direct Club offers electric toothbrushes, some of which include an aligner. The electric toothbrushes can keep your teeth straight and clean using proven dental technology.
Cleaning Tablets for Aligners ($7.50 for 32): Keep your Smile Direct Club retainers and aligners clean with universal cleaning tablets.
Smile Spa Ultrasonic & UV Cleaning Machine for Aligners & Retainers ($38): You can keep your retainers and aligners clean using the power of ultrasonic and ultraviolet (UV) technology. Just place your aligner or retainer in the case, press the button, and sanitize everything.
Aligner Case ($15): Smile Direct Club offers a standard aligner case for $15, making it easy to securely store your aligner or retainer.
Trackable Retainer & Aligner Case ($30): Smile Direct Club also offers a trackable retainer and aligner case. Powered by Tile, the case features a smart tracker, making it easy to know the location of your aligner and retainer at all times.
Lip Balm ($5): If aligners are scratching your lips or leaving you feeling dry, then you can use Smile Direct Club’s lip balm, priced at $5 for a two-pack.
Selfie Light ($10): Smile Direct Club even offers a selfie light, making it easy to take the best before and after photos of your smile.
Movemints Aligner-Seating Mints ($5): Movemints are mints designed to help seat your aligner. By chewing the mints, you can seat your aligner into its optimal position.
Smile Direct Club Reviews: What Do Customers Say?
Smile Direct Club has 2 million customers worldwide to date, and many customers have successful fixed teeth alignment issues using Smile Direct Club retainers.
Here are some of the Smile Direct Club reviews found online today:
Many customers have shared their Smile Direct Club story online via the #sdctruestory hashtag. Some customers used Smile Direct Club after being disappointed with braces. Others used Smile Direct Club to fix noticeable gaps in their teeth, reverse alignment problems after years of misaligned teeth, and solve other dental health problems.
Dentists have left positive reviews for Smile Direct Club. In addition to maintaining SmileShop locations at dentists across the country, Smile Direct Club works with state-licensed dentists and doctors to create optimal treatment plans. One dentist quoted on the official Smile Direct Club website claims his “patients are getting great, great results from Smile Direct Club.”
The official website and company’s official social media pages are filled with before-and-after images from customers who have successfully fixed their dental health issues using Smile Direct Club. Many customers
Smile Direct Club has received criticism from media around the world. A CBC Marketplace hidden camera investigation, for example, found Smile Direct Club customers were receiving misleading and potentially harmful information from employees about the average treatment time for aligners and retainers. That investigation also found Smile Direct Club’s products had damaged the teeth of some users. Smile Direct Club has also faced legal issues with dentists around the world, and the company has responded by filing lawsuits against dental associations in California, Georgia, Alabama, and Manitoba. NBC also published a criticism of Smile Direct Club in 2020, arguing its at-home aligner kits “may do more harm than good” based on several patient horror stories. Despite these criticisms, most patients seem to have a positive experience with Smile Direct Club.
Smile Direct Club has a B+ rating on the Better Business Bureau website with an average rating of 3.17 stars out of 5 from 1,930+ customers, including 2,050+ complaints closed in the last three years.
Hear from real people who have used Smile Direct Club >>>
One of the most controversial parts of Smile Direct Club is the apparent requirement that people requesting a refund may need to sign a nondisclosure agreement to receive their refund. The BBB recently added an alert to the Smile Direct Club page about a 2022 lawsuit against the company filed by the District of Columbia Attorney General, who criticized the company for requiring patients to sign non-disclosure agreement to receive a refund. In July 2023, Smile Direct Club reached a settlement with the District of Columbia while expressly denying the issue.
Consumer Affairs has an average rating of 4.2 stars out of 5 for Smile Direct Club based on 180+ reviews. Most customers (60%) gave the company an average 5-star rating out of 5, with only a small number (16%) giving the company a 1-star rating. Customers praised Smile Direct Club for its discreet and clear aligners, the competitive pricing, and the fast treatment.
Like other invisible aligner companies, Smile Direct Club focuses on mild to moderate alignment issues. The company’s products are not designed to fix severe teeth alignment issues. Some of the negative reviews online come from customers who were disappointed with being turned away by Smile Direct Club, for example, after the company’s products were found to not be suitable for their needs.
RealSelf has a 30% “worth it” rating based on 50+ recent reviews. Although some customers found Smile Direct Club improved crooked teeth, other customers found the company’s products did not work as advertised.
Trustpilot has glowing reviews for Smile Direct Club, including an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5 based on 29,000+ reviews. 90% of reviewers have given the company a perfect 5-star rating. Customers generally have good things to say about the quality of treatment, the customer service, and the overall Smile Direct Club experience.
Australian review aggregator website ProductReview.com.au has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 for Smile Direct Club based on 2,500+ reviews. Although some customers were disappointed with the results, most customers found the company’s products worked as advertised to fix smiles, straighten teeth, and correct mild to moderate alignment issues.
Overall, Smile Direct Club has helped more than 2 million customers straighten teeth, and the company is one of the largest aligner companies worldwide. Most reviews for Smile Direct Club are positive, and many customers find the company’s products work as advertised to give you straighter teeth.
Smile Direct Club Pricing
Smile Direct Club offers two easy payment options. You can finance your payment (Smile Direct Club offers a 100% financing acceptance rate). Or, you can pay upfront as a single fee.
Both the nighttime and daytime aligners are the same price.
Here’s how pricing works when ordering from Smile Direct Club today:
- SmilePay Financing: $89 per month for 26 months with $250 deposit ($2,564 total)
- Single Payment: $2,050
Visit the official website to get discounted prices!
You can signup for SmilePay financing with no credit checks, no forms to fill out, and 100% approval.
You can also use HSA, FSA, or CareCredit money to cover the cost. If you have dental insurance, then your dental insurance could wholly or partially cover Smile Direct Club’s fees.
Smile Direct Club Lifetime Smile Guarantee
Smile Direct Club offers a Lifetime Smile Guarantee. Here’s how that guarantee works:
If a doctor determines Smile Direct Club’s aligners aren’t a good fit, then the company refunds the cost of your impression kit or scan. In other words, if you paid $59 for an impression kit or visited a SmileShop in-person for a scan, it’s risk-free because you can receive a complete refund if aligners aren’t the right choice.
If you’re unhappy with your Smile Direct Club treatment within the first 30 days, then Smile Direct Club will refund your cost 100%.
If your treatment needs an aligner touch-up or adjustment, it’s free.
Contact the company’s customer service team to request a refund or learn more about the Lifetime Smile Guarantee.
About Smile Direct Club
Smile Direct Club is a teledentistry company based in Nashville, Tennessee. The company was co-founded in 2014 by Jordan Katzman and Alex Fenkell and has served 2 million customers worldwide to date. Today, Smile Direct Club maintains 300 retail locations across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
You can contact Smile Direct Club via the following:
- Phone: 1-800-848-7566
- Live Chat: SmileDirectClub.com
- App-Based Support: https://blogorigin.wpengine.com/smiledirectclub-app/
- Other Video Chat, Email, & Live Chat Contact Options: SmileDirectClub.com
Customer service contact information varies from country to country. Select the correct country flag on SmileDirectClub.com to view available customer service options for your location.
Final Word
Smile Direct Club is a leader in the invisible aligner space, offering 3D-printed aligners and retainers to make your teeth straight.
Backed by 2 million happy customers to date, Smile Direct Club has been improving smiles around the world since 2014. Today, the company continues to score top marks from dentists, orthodontists, and customers around the world.
To learn more about Smile Direct Club or to order an impression kit today, visit the official website at SmileDirectClub.com.
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Disclaimer:
Please understand that any advice or guidelines revealed here are not even remotely substitutes for sound medical or financial advice from a licensed healthcare provider or certified financial advisor. Make sure to consult with a professional physician or financial consultant before making any purchasing decision if you use medications or have concerns following the review details shared above. Individual results may vary and are not guaranteed as the statements regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA, or Health Canada approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and do not provide any kind of get-rich money scheme. Reviewer is not responsible for pricing inaccuracies. Check product sales page for final prices.
