POSTED UNDER SmileDirectClub Reviews
SCAM! Please Visit a Real Orthodontist Professional. This is a Scam.
UPDATED FROM engillette
Update from real orthodontist
$2,000
I was able to visit a true orthodontist and received the following list of areas of treatment. A number of issues on this list was shared with smile direct club before I even participated in their plan and not once did they say, “ you aren’t a good candidate for smile direct club because of ...”.secondaly, after wearing smile direct club for four months there is absolutely no change in my teeth and I still have a list of areas of improvement as long as the one attached. I do plan on reaching out the American dentist association, BBB and anyone else to spread the word. Save your money!
Replies (2)
Yes, it is a terrible company. I know someone who isn't a candidate for any kind of tooth movement but got Smile Direct because they accepted her. It turns out she has periodontal problems and will now be losing all her teeth thanks to Smile Direct Club.
ORIGINAL POST
I would not recommend smile direct club to my...
I would not recommend smile direct club to my worst enemy. During my first visit I made it known my concerns with my bite and slight spacing for which the lady doing my scan stated is something they see all the time and that it shouldn’t easily addressable. Leaving the office, I get a call because what I thought was a brochure she was giving me was actually the paperwork she needed me to sign and send her picture so that she doesn’t get in trouble (not the most professional). From the beginning there were signs that I wish I would have paid attention to. Fast forward about 12 days from my first scan, I get my treatment plan and 30 days from my scan I get notification that my aligners are on their way to my house. As I review the 3D scan of my plan I noticed no difference in my smile specifically my bite and spacing,so I immediately contact a rep via their chat option to inform them of my concerns. The customer service rep just tells me to go through with my plan as it would be best to complete it and then revisit the concerns afterwards being they’ve already sent the aligners on their way. If they truly wanted to provide excellent service I would n have been told to jus tho through the plan anyway.. the concerns I had would have actually been given some attention by smile direct club. They neglected to do that and as time went on, it got worse. I wore them religiously 23 hours a day only taking them out to brush and eat. Some of them weren’t cut properly causing bruising on my gums (I can understand that this may be a possibility) but after four days they also all seemed to rip. I complete my treatment and as originally suspected, my concerns were still evident with no change in my bite and spacing...the same concerns that were “easily addressable”. To correct the issue I had to go in for another scan which leads to a second treatment plan for two additional months. This second scan happened on March 14th, now over thirty days later, no aligners and horrible/ non existant communication from smile direct club. I’ve sense made an appointment to speak to a real orthodontist as you do not get proper care from smile direct club, you do not get follow ups from an actual license orthodontist not even a phone call before or after treatment. They tell you someone will call you and that doesn't happen and soon after they ignore your emails altogether. You call and ask to speak to manager and no one is available or the phone magically disconnects. On top of that, you get different stories depending on who you talk to. It is my opinion that there are no true medical professionals running this place and is just "customer service" agents acting as subject matter experts. As I look back on all that has transpired with smile direct club, I've determined that they will tell you you are good candidate to simply get your money when in actuality, they cannnot address your concerns. Save yourself the trouble, waisted money and headache and go to an actual orthodontist that can provide you with true candid advice and legitimate orthodontia services. Smile direct club is a scam! run!!
P.s. my picture above by my name is from 2015 so my teeth weren’t in horrible shape to begin with which is probably why they just assumed I would be an “easy addressable” patient they could just take money from without truly attempting to understand my concerns and properly asses them.
P.s. my picture above by my name is from 2015 so my teeth weren’t in horrible shape to begin with which is probably why they just assumed I would be an “easy addressable” patient they could just take money from without truly attempting to understand my concerns and properly asses them.
Replies (5)
We're sorry to hear that you've gotten this impression. We would like to clarify that all SmilePlans are approved by and followed by a dentist or orthodontist licensed in the state of the customer they are treating. In addition, we have a dental team available to speak to customers about any clinical questions or concerns they may have throughout treatment. Our Customer Care team operates as a liaison between customer and dental professional and are not authorized to provide any medical advising. Our SmilePlans are created to show optimal results within our protocol. However, as detailed in our Consent and History form, there are limitations to our aligners, as we don't use attachments or traditional orthodontic procedures, so the SmilePlan is the only way to view a projection of how SmileDirectClub aligners can treat a customer's smile. We'll be sure to reach out via DM to discuss further.
Do not reach out to me. What should have been said that wasn’t said is that you guys cannot Andreas my concerns instead of saying they were easily addressable just to get money from me. And since you mention you work with licensed professional and dentist/orthodontist directly, are we (the customer/consumer in this scenario)able to contact them directly? If I needed attachments or was a better candidate for traditional orthodontia care then I should have been told that my desired results weren’t achievable. Furthermore, your smile guarantee is joke and the biggest scam of all. What exactly are you guys guaranteeing?
We provide a projection of what we can offer each customer within our SmilePlan that all customers sign off on before beginning treatment along with acknowledging the limitations outlined in our Consent and History. The Consent and History form also indicates that customers may benefit from seeking traditional orthodontic procedures outside of treatment for further adjustment. At no point does SmileDirectClub guarantee results, as that is not possible within a medical procedure. Also in our Consent and History is the restriction that customers should not reach out directly to their provider. That said, we have a dental team available to assist with clinical concerns and customers can request a call with a dentist/orthodontist by appointment as well. Our smile guarantee states that we will refund customers for the impression kit if the customer is not deemed qualified for treatment.
I just want to point out something that was mentioned in the above comment, and hopefully save someone from making the same mistakes, for anyone reading the comment above, and considering doing Smile Direct Club, one huge thing that was said is, "At no point does SmileDirectClub guarantee results". That should have anyone considering forking over $1,500+ doing this, running for the hills. They just told you they at no point do they guarantee results. When is the last time you have paid over 1,500 dollars for something and there is no guarantee, no warranty? You are basically giving the company thousands of dollars, and the company literally has no liability to produce the results they have shown you. Sure, they will tell you they have tried, and their aligners are not able to produce the movement needed, but this will be after the fact, after you have given them money. Do not let their wording fool you. I wouldn't go as far as calling it a total scam, because you do get aligners, and a treatment plan, but after that, if you actually get the results they show you, it would be a complete miracle. It's a best, a quick, temporary fix. Again, and it has been said several times before, do not get desperate. Save the money needed to get to a real orthodontist, and have your issues fixed properly. Your teeth are vital, and smile direct club results are not even what I would consider satisfactory. It is a total money grab. Ask me how I know how.
Hi there, Tony. You would find the same information in any orthodontic or medical procedure. When it comes to a medical treatment, results cannot be guaranteed.
I had this same experience . I’m on my last tray and my gap is the only thing that has closed. The trays also created extra spaces in my upper row ... I’m highly disappointed and could have went to real orthodontist that would’ve guaranteed great results ...
Have you looked into a real orthodontist . Did they give you any advice .? I’m looking into a real orthodontist ...
Hi there-
I certainly did go to a real ortho. I have traditional braces now because SDC has left such a horrible impression in my mind regarding aligners. I shared these concerns with my ortho and apparently our concerns about SDC isn't new to the ortho industry. Be sure to share your concerns with your current ortho as they can only assist in spreading the word so that others do not have to go through this. I hope your treatment goes well!
I certainly did go to a real ortho. I have traditional braces now because SDC has left such a horrible impression in my mind regarding aligners. I shared these concerns with my ortho and apparently our concerns about SDC isn't new to the ortho industry. Be sure to share your concerns with your current ortho as they can only assist in spreading the word so that others do not have to go through this. I hope your treatment goes well!
Professionals by law aren't able to guarantee but they follow through on what they say. SDC does not. I shared an area of concern and that wasn't addressed at all!
Im having the very same issue with smile direct club. Im getting Invisalign now bc SDC messed up my bite and left additional spaces in my teeth. Did they refund your money?


All the best,
Erika