Answers to the myths
surrounding SmileDirectClub.
In 2014, SmileDirectClub disrupted traditional orthodontia with
a pioneering telehealth platform that made teeth straightening
more aordable, convenient, and accessible.
The industry responded with skepticism. Many refuting or
dismissing SmileDirectClub's approach. How could teeth
straightening take as little as 4–6 months?
1
How could it be
safe if there are no oce visits (other than a short visit to a
SmileShop or dental partner)? How can SmileDirectClub
aligners possibly cost 60% less than Invisalign?
2
Some of these myths still exist today. We’re here to provide
you the truth. On the following pages you’ll read about many
of the most common concerns and rumors.
WHY SMILEDIRECTCLUB? AFFORDABILITY. CONVENIENCE. CONFIDENCE.
Table of
contents
Myths about SmileDirectClub
1. SmileDirectClub doesn’t have doctors involved/it’s DIY orthodontics.
2. SmileDirectClub moves teeth too fast.
3. SmileDirectClub is a scam.
4. SmileDirectClub is less expensive, so their aligners must be lower quality.
5. You’re on your own once you get aligners.
6. SmileDirectClub doesn’t look at your teeth before approving you.
7. SmileDirectClub damages teeth and causes them to fall out.
8. SmileDirectClub has so many lawsuits against them.
9. SmileDirectClub only straightens the first 6 teeth – aka “the social six.”
10. SmileDirectClub approves everyone.
11. You can’t get started safely without X-rays.
1
Typical SmileDirectClub treatment takes 4–6 months. See SmileDirectClub.com/claims for details.
Results may vary.
2
“60% less than Invisalign” claim is based on Single Pay vs. average total fees (including diagnostics and in-person exams) for treatment of
mild-to-moderate malocclusion with Invisalign as reported in a 2021 national survey of practicing dentists and orthodontists. Price comparison
does not include the cost of additional services, such as retainers. Results may vary.
3
“3x markup” claim is based on the average cost of Invisalign aligners charged to the dentist or orthodontist by Align Technology, Inc., as
compared to the average total fees (including diagnostics and in-person exams) charged to the consumer by the dentist or orthodontist for
treatment of mild-to-moderate malocclusion with Invisalign, as reported in a 2021 national survey of practicing dentists and orthodontists. Results
may vary.
4
Terms and conditions apply. See SmileDirectClub.com/guarantee for details.
Myth 1: SmileDirectClub doesn’t have
doctors involved/it’s DIY orthodontics.
This is pure fiction. We work with a network of 250+
state-licensed dentists and orthodontists. Every Club
member is assigned a doctor licensed in their state. All our
doctors have 5+ years of clear aligner experience. As a
matter of fact, our doctors are the most experienced in clear
aligner therapy via telehealth in the industry.
All plans are reviewed, finalized, and approved by your
doctor, who’s with you every step of the way on your Smile
Journey™ via our telehealth platform.
Myth 2: SmileDirectClub moves teeth
too fast.
This is false. Our aligners are designed to gently and safely
move your teeth into their final position. Your state-licensed
doctor will ensure you get the best plan for your smile so
you’re safe and comfortable. In addition, our Comfort Sense™
technology, which includes a proprietary aligner progression
plan that takes you from soft to medium to firm plastic
aligners each month, means you’ll experience less discom-
fort.
If you’ve come across comments online about how painful
treatment is and are worried, don’t be. Everyone’s pain
tolerance is different, and no one’s experience – or teeth –
are exactly alike. Some soreness in the first few days after
starting treatment is totally normal and only temporary. Your
teeth are being moved, after all! If you have concerns at any
time during your Smile Journey, you have access to our
dental team 24/7/365.
Myth 3: SmileDirectClub is a scam.
Heard whisperings of a SmileDirectClub scam? We’re not
surprised. Clinically safe, effective teeth straightening
without the 3x markup of Invisalign
3
sounds too good to be
true, but our 1.5 million customers – and their before & after
photos – prove we’re the real deal.
Our goal is to provide better access to care, so everyone can
get a smile they love at an affordable price, and that’s
exactly what our members get.
Need more proof?
Research by a professor at the Harvard Dental School found
teleorthodontic treatment with clear aligners to be as
clinically effective as traditional treatment in correcting
crowding or spacing when supervised by general practi-
tioners or specialists.
Myth 4: SmileDirectClub is less
expensive, so their aligners must be
lower quality.
So not true! There are a few ways we’re able to save
you money and sell you such affordable aligners,
starting with cutting out the middleman.
For starters, we handle everything in-house, which
reduces our overall cost, and instead of selling aligners
to your dentist who marks them up to make a profit, we
send them directly to you all at once. This also cuts
down on shipping costs, and we pass those savings on
to you, too.
Myth 5: You’re on your own once you
get aligners.
We have 24/7 support, giving you unprecedented
access to our Customer Care and dental teams.
No matter your time zone or lifestyle, we can support
you via phone, email, chat, and video calls. You can
even download our app.
Fun fact: This actually exceeds the access you’d have to
dental professionals in a traditional office setting.
Myth 6: SmileDirectClub doesn’t look
at your teeth before approving you.
Your treating doctor needs to evaluate
everything before determining your eligibility for
SmileDirectClub.
By “everything” we mean:
• A 3D image of your smile
• Photographs of your teeth
• Your health and medical information
• Your main smile concerns
If your doctor has any questions, they may ask you to
provide additional information or clearances from your
local dentist!
Myth 7: SmileDirectClub damages
teeth and causes them to fall out.
False. Our aligners will NOT damage healthy teeth. You
should always maintain your regular cleanings with your
local dentist to keep your teeth healthy and prevent any
issues.
SmileDirectClub Partner Network is also a great in-person
resource. You can go to one of the 1,500+ dentists and
orthodontists to get a free 3D scan or impression of your
teeth and talk through your options. You’ll also get great
dental care with them throughout your treatment with
SmileDirectClub — and after, too.
Myth 8: SmileDirectClub has so many
lawsuits against them.
We actually don’t. Pushback from those looking to disrupt
the status quo is unfortunately par for the course with any
disruptive business. Many of our lawsuits are actually
initiated by SmileDirectClub – not “against” us – to
further our mission of democratizing access to care and
ensure consumers like you continue to have an afford-
able, convenient, and accessible teeth
straightening option.
Our products are safe, manufactured at an FDA-certified
and registered facility, and all treatment using our
telehealth platform is prescribed and directed by a
state-licensed dentist or orthodontist in our affiliated
network.
Myth 9: SmileDirectClub only
straightens the first 6 teeth – aka
“the social six.”
We don’t do anything halfway when it comes to giving
you the smile of your dreams!
Thanks to advancements in treatment planning and our
second-generation aligner production, we’re able to
make all the tooth movements you need to address
mild-to-moderate crowding and spacing issues within the
treating doctor’s standard of care.
Myth 10: SmileDirectClub approves
everyone.
Not true. We focus on mild-to-moderate crowding and
spacing and refer hundreds of customers a week to local
orthodontists.
Eligibility is determined by a doctor after a thorough
review of the 3D image of your smile, photos of your
teeth, and more. If they don’t think our aligners are a
good fit for you, we’ll refund the cost of your impression
kit. It’s part of our Lifetime Smile Guarantee™.
4
Myth 11: You can’t get started safely
without X-rays.
Studies show X-rays are not clinically necessary for all
orthodontic cases. Still, some doctors may ask for X-rays
when they deem them necessary.
In the vast majority of cases, a 3D impression or scan
eliminates the need for X-rays when planning treatment.
This is appealing to many potential patients who are wary
of the risks of unnecessary X-rays like over-exposure to
radiation and an increased risk of various cancers.
The clinical decision to X-ray ultimately rests with the
doctors, yet knowing that X-rays are not a prerequisite for
treatment provides flexibility, which is good for both patient
and doctor.
Still have questions? Check out our FAQ page and blog,
which are chock-full of helpful info and resources, or contact
us by chat, phone, or email.
Myth 1: SmileDirectClub doesn’t have
doctors involved/it’s DIY orthodontics.
This is pure fiction. We work with a network of 250+
state-licensed dentists and orthodontists. Every Club
member is assigned a doctor licensed in their state. All our
doctors have 5+ years of clear aligner experience. As a
matter of fact, our doctors are the most experienced in clear
aligner therapy via telehealth in the industry.
All plans are reviewed, finalized, and approved by your
doctor, who’s with you every step of the way on your Smile
Journey™ via our telehealth platform.
Myth 2: SmileDirectClub moves teeth
too fast.
This is false. Our aligners are designed to gently and safely
move your teeth into their final position. Your state-licensed
doctor will ensure you get the best plan for your smile so
you’re safe and comfortable. In addition, our Comfort Sense™
technology, which includes a proprietary aligner progression
plan that takes you from soft to medium to firm plastic
aligners each month, means you’ll experience less discom-
fort.
If you’ve come across comments online about how painful
treatment is and are worried, don’t be. Everyone’s pain
tolerance is different, and no one’s experience – or teeth –
are exactly alike. Some soreness in the first few days after
starting treatment is totally normal and only temporary. Your
teeth are being moved, after all! If you have concerns at any
time during your Smile Journey, you have access to our
dental team 24/7/365.
Myth 3: SmileDirectClub is a scam.
Heard whisperings of a SmileDirectClub scam? We’re not
surprised. Clinically safe, effective teeth straightening
without the 3x markup of Invisalign
3
sounds too good to be
true, but our 1.5 million customers – and their before & after
photos – prove we’re the real deal.
Our goal is to provide better access to care, so everyone can
get a smile they love at an affordable price, and that’s
exactly what our members get.
Need more proof?
Research by a professor at the Harvard Dental School found
teleorthodontic treatment with clear aligners to be as
clinically effective as traditional treatment in correcting
crowding or spacing when supervised by general practi-
tioners or specialists.
Myth 4: SmileDirectClub is less
expensive, so their aligners must be
lower quality.
So not true! There are a few ways we’re able to save
you money and sell you such affordable aligners,
starting with cutting out the middleman.
For starters, we handle everything in-house, which
reduces our overall cost, and instead of selling aligners
to your dentist who marks them up to make a profit, we
send them directly to you all at once. This also cuts
down on shipping costs, and we pass those savings on
to you, too.
Myth 5: You’re on your own once you
get aligners.
We have 24/7 support, giving you unprecedented
access to our Customer Care and dental teams.
No matter your time zone or lifestyle, we can support
you via phone, email, chat, and video calls. You can
even download our app.
Fun fact: This actually exceeds the access you’d have to
dental professionals in a traditional office setting.
Myth 6: SmileDirectClub doesn’t look
at your teeth before approving you.
Your treating doctor needs to evaluate
everything before determining your eligibility for
SmileDirectClub.
By “everything” we mean:
• A 3D image of your smile
• Photographs of your teeth
• Your health and medical information
• Your main smile concerns
If your doctor has any questions, they may ask you to
provide additional information or clearances from your
local dentist!
Myth 7: SmileDirectClub damages
teeth and causes them to fall out.
False. Our aligners will NOT damage healthy teeth. You
should always maintain your regular cleanings with your
local dentist to keep your teeth healthy and prevent any
issues.
SmileDirectClub Partner Network is also a great in-person
resource. You can go to one of the 1,500+ dentists and
orthodontists to get a free 3D scan or impression of your
teeth and talk through your options. You’ll also get great
dental care with them throughout your treatment with
SmileDirectClub — and after, too.
Myth 8: SmileDirectClub has so many
lawsuits against them.
We actually don’t. Pushback from those looking to disrupt
the status quo is unfortunately par for the course with any
disruptive business. Many of our lawsuits are actually
initiated by SmileDirectClub – not “against” us – to
further our mission of democratizing access to care and
ensure consumers like you continue to have an afford-
able, convenient, and accessible teeth
straightening option.
Our products are safe, manufactured at an FDA-certified
and registered facility, and all treatment using our
telehealth platform is prescribed and directed by a
state-licensed dentist or orthodontist in our affiliated
network.
Myth 9: SmileDirectClub only
straightens the first 6 teeth – aka
“the social six.”
We don’t do anything halfway when it comes to giving
you the smile of your dreams!
Thanks to advancements in treatment planning and our
second-generation aligner production, we’re able to
make all the tooth movements you need to address
mild-to-moderate crowding and spacing issues within the
treating doctor’s standard of care.
Myth 10: SmileDirectClub approves
everyone.
Not true. We focus on mild-to-moderate crowding and
spacing and refer hundreds of customers a week to local
orthodontists.
Eligibility is determined by a doctor after a thorough
review of the 3D image of your smile, photos of your
teeth, and more. If they don’t think our aligners are a
good fit for you, we’ll refund the cost of your impression
kit. It’s part of our Lifetime Smile Guarantee™.
4
Myth 11: You can’t get started safely
without X-rays.
Studies show X-rays are not clinically necessary for all
orthodontic cases. Still, some doctors may ask for X-rays
when they deem them necessary.
In the vast majority of cases, a 3D impression or scan
eliminates the need for X-rays when planning treatment.
This is appealing to many potential patients who are wary
of the risks of unnecessary X-rays like over-exposure to
radiation and an increased risk of various cancers.
The clinical decision to X-ray ultimately rests with the
doctors, yet knowing that X-rays are not a prerequisite for
treatment provides flexibility, which is good for both patient
and doctor.
Still have questions? Check out our FAQ page and blog,
which are chock-full of helpful info and resources, or contact
us by chat, phone, or email.
Additional links and resources.
• 60% less than Invisalign
• Dentists and orthodontists
• Comfort Sense™ technology
• How painful treatment is
• Before & after photos
• Research
• Ways we’re able to save you money
• Download our app
• Partner Network
• Great dental care
• Lifetime Smile Guarantee™
• FAQ page
• Blog
• Contact us
