SmileDirectClub permanently shut down in September 2023 after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. The company, which had treated over 2 million customers at $1,950 per treatment plan, ceased all operations with no transition of care. Patients mid-treatment were left without support, replacement aligners, or retainers. If you’re researching SmileDirectClub, you will need a different provider. The closest alternatives are Byte ($1,895–$2,295) for at-home treatment or Invisalign ($3,000–$8,000) through a licensed orthodontist.
| Clear Aligner Option (2025) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Byte All-Day (DTC at-home) | $1,895 |
| Byte At-Night (DTC at-home) | $2,295 |
| NewSmile (DTC at-home) | $1,195–$1,895 |
| Candid (hybrid DTC + in-office) | $2,400–$3,500 |
| Invisalign Lite/Express (in-office) | $1,800–$3,500 |
| Invisalign Full (in-office) | $3,000–$8,000 |
| ClearCorrect (in-office) | $2,000–$8,000 |
| SmileDirectClub | CLOSED (Sept. 2023) |
What Happened to SmileDirectClub
SmileDirectClub launched in 2014, pioneering the direct-to-consumer (DTC) clear aligner market. By 2021 it had treated approximately 1.8 million patients across the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, generating $750 million in annual revenue at its peak. The company’s model was straightforward: customers either visited a SmileShop for an intraoral scan or used a home impression kit, received aligners by mail, and were monitored remotely.
The company faced persistent legal and regulatory challenges. Multiple state dental boards sued or investigated SmileDirectClub for practicing dentistry without proper oversight. The American Association of Orthodontists repeatedly raised safety concerns. Consumer complaints about worsened bites, root damage, and abandoned mid-treatment cases accumulated.
By 2023, losses mounted and the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2023, quickly converting to Chapter 7 liquidation. All operations ceased immediately — SmileShops closed, customer service ended, and the website shut down. Patients who had paid in full and were weeks away from completing treatment had no recourse.
The SmileDirectClub collapse left thousands of patients without access to their remaining aligners, replacement trays, or retainers. Some reported teeth shifting back to original positions within weeks of treatment ending. This is the most significant risk of DTC-only orthodontic treatment — if the company closes, your treatment ends immediately with no continuity of care from a local provider who knows your case.
What Former SmileDirectClub Customers Should Do
If you were mid-treatment: See a local dentist or orthodontist immediately for an evaluation. Bring any records you have — photos, your last aligner tray, any paperwork from SmileDirectClub. The orthodontist can assess where your treatment stands and recommend whether continuing, pausing, or starting fresh with a new provider is appropriate.
If you completed treatment: Wear your last set of SmileDirectClub retainers as long as they last, then see a local dentist or orthodontist for replacement retainers. Custom retainers from an orthodontist or dentist cost $100–$600. Do not go without retainers — teeth will shift.
If you have unresolved bite issues: SmileDirectClub’s remote model was not designed to treat bite problems. If you developed jaw pain, bite changes, or discomfort during or after treatment, see an orthodontist for evaluation.
For refund claims: SmileDirectClub’s bankruptcy proceedings may allow unsecured creditors to file claims for refunds, but recovery amounts are typically pennies on the dollar in Chapter 7 liquidations. Check the bankruptcy court filings for the claims process.
SmileDirectClub vs. Competitors: What Was Different
Before its closure, SmileDirectClub competed primarily on price ($1,950 flat) versus Invisalign ($3,000–$8,000). Key differences that contributed to its controversies:
- No in-person examinations with X-rays to detect gum disease or bone issues
- Treatment supervised by a network of remote “affiliated” dentists who in some states were not licensed in the patient’s state
- No in-person adjustments or mid-treatment corrections
- Limited ability to handle complex cases or complications
The Best SmileDirectClub Alternatives in 2025
Byte ($1,895–$2,295): Most direct comparison to SmileDirectClub’s model. Flat pricing, home impressions, remote monitoring. Owned by Dentsply Sirona (a major dental company), which provides more financial stability than a startup. Best for very mild crowding in healthy adult mouths.
NewSmile ($1,195–$1,895): The lowest-cost DTC aligner option. Similar remote model to Byte. Best for minimal cosmetic crowding only. Less established than Byte.
Candid ($2,400–$3,500): Hybrid model requiring initial in-person scan and offering more professional oversight than pure DTC. Better suited to slightly more complex mild cases.
Invisalign Lite/Express through an orthodontist ($1,800–$3,500): For mild cases, the limited-aligner Invisalign programs are priced comparably to DTC brands while providing full in-office professional supervision. This is the safest comparable price point.
Invisalign Full ($3,000–$8,000): For moderate-to-complex cases. Insurance coverage applies. In-person oversight throughout treatment.
SmileDirectClub is closed and cannot be used. For similar price points, Byte ($1,895) is the most comparable at-home alternative for mild cases. For greater safety and insurance coverage, Invisalign Lite through an in-office provider starts at $1,800–$3,500 for appropriate mild cases — barely more than DTC options and significantly safer.
Insurance Coverage
SmileDirectClub was not covered by most dental insurance plans because it lacked in-network provider supervision. The same limitation applies to most DTC aligner brands:
- In-office Invisalign and ClearCorrect: Covered up to the lifetime orthodontic maximum ($1,000–$3,000)
- Byte, NewSmile: Generally not covered
- Candid: Coverage may apply if the treating dentist is in-network; verify with your insurer
Financing Options for Alternatives
Byte: Monthly plans starting ~$65/month through third-party lenders
Invisalign through an orthodontist: In-house payment plans over treatment period (18–30 months), CareCredit, FSA/HSA eligible
NewSmile: Financing available through their website with monthly payment options
Recommendation: If insurance covers orthodontic treatment (typically $1,000–$3,000 lifetime maximum), using that benefit with in-office Invisalign significantly closes the cost gap versus DTC alternatives.
How to Save on Clear Aligners After SmileDirectClub
Use your dental insurance. If your plan has orthodontic benefits, apply them to Invisalign or ClearCorrect at an in-office provider — the benefit doesn’t apply to DTC brands.
Consider Invisalign Express. For mild cases, Invisalign Express (7 trays) starts around $1,800 at in-office providers — comparable to Byte’s price with professional supervision.
Dental school clinics. Many dental schools offer Invisalign at 30–50% below private practice pricing under faculty supervision.
FSA/HSA with in-office treatment. In-office aligners are FSA/HSA eligible; DTC brands may not be. Using pre-tax dollars with in-office treatment can offset the cost difference.
Bottom Line
SmileDirectClub is permanently closed, and patients who relied on it for ongoing care need to transition to a new provider immediately. For comparable pricing, Byte ($1,895–$2,295) is the most established remaining DTC aligner brand, appropriate for very mild adult cases only. For most patients, Invisalign Lite ($1,800–$3,500) from an in-office provider offers comparable cost for mild cases with the safety of professional oversight, insurance eligibility, and continuity of care — lessons that SmileDirectClub’s closure made critically important.
SmileDirectClub’s collapse at $1,950/treatment and 1.8+ million patients is a defining lesson in DTC orthodontic risk. In 2025, former customers need new providers; prospective patients should choose in-office care or well-established DTC brands (like Byte) only for the mildest cases, with a prior dentist checkup and an understanding of the lack of insurance coverage.