Your Next Steps After Smile Direct Club's Bankruptcy
The recent closure of Smile Direct Club (SDC) has sent ripples through the world of digital dentistry, bringing to light the delicate balance between convenience and quality care in online dental services.
While online dentistry revolutionises access to dental care, it's a reminder that this innovation must be handled with expertise and caution.
Online dental treatments offer unmatched convenience, but they come with a caveat. Dental health is intricate, requiring personalised attention and expert intervention.
The Smile Direct Club scenario underscores the importance of having qualified dental professionals guiding your journey to a healthier smile.
Advice for Former Smile Direct Club Customers
If you're a former SDC customer, you might feel uncertain about your next steps. Here are some recommendations:
Seek Professional Guidance: Consult a dental professional to assess the progress and quality of the treatment you received from SDC. They can provide insights into any adjustments or further treatments needed.
Explore Reliable Alternatives: Look for platforms prioritising professional oversight and tailoring treatments to individual needs. Choosing a service that values safety, effectiveness, and personalised care is crucial.
If you’re lucky and your teeth are in a relatively good position, you may be able to see your dentist to have some retainers placed and finish your treatment.
However, if you have just started, you may need to complete your orthodontic treatment by a dentist in person using Invisalign or another clear aligner provider.
Many dental practices are offering discounted Invisalign treatments for Smile Direct Customers. Contact us and we can help you find a clinic near you.
Orthodontic treatment with a dentist will likely be more expensive than your treatment with Smile Direct Club so if budgeting is an issue, most practices can offer finance plans to help spread the cost of treatment.
Martin Lewis from Money Saving Expert has the following advice about the financial protections you may have.
If you have paid with a credit card (even just 1 penny of the total cost), then your credit card company is jointly liable alongside Smile Direct Club for your service under Section 75
Contact your credit card issuer and tell them you have not received the service you paid for, and you may be able to receive refunds or compensation from them.
Can you leave your teeth the way they are if you are in the middle of Smile Direct Club Treatment?
Please do not leave your teeth as they are. The alignment of your teeth and how they bite down together is essential for oral health. When we are moving teeth, there will be phases where your bite is not correctly balanced.
If you leave your teeth like this, it can cause several problems in the future, including:
Gum recession
Chipping and breaking of your teeth
Cracks and fractures leading to pain and the need for extractions
Further unwanted tooth movement
To be on the safe side, it’s important to see a dentist to get your bite assessed and adjusted.
Free online consultations for Smile Direct Customers
Recognising the gap left by Smile Direct Club's closure and the ongoing need for accessible dental care, Nova Smiles offers a solution. We are proud to provide free online consultations to anyone impacted by the closure of Smile Direct Club.
We will help assess the alignment of your teeth and bite and help direct you to a good dentist near you who can complete your treatment.
Discounted Invisalign treatment for Smile Direct Club customers
To help many of the people who have been left in the dark by Smile Direct Club, Invisalign has discounted their lab fees to dentists with the hope that this discount can be passed on to patients who need corrective aligner treatment.
The level of discount varies on a case-by-case basis but Invisalign will reduce their wholesale costs by up to 50% to dentists to help them lower their fees for SDC customers.
Once you factor in the clinic’s costs, you may be able to get up to 35% off Invisalign treatment at a dentist near you.
This is an extremely good offer however you are still likely going to end up paying more than you did for SDC treatment in the first place, however, your treatment will be directly with a registered dental professional who you know and is responsible for getting your treatment finished.
If you need help finding a participating clinic near you click here.
Moving Forward with Confidence
The closure of Smile Direct Club is a pivotal moment in the journey of online dentistry. It reminds us of the need for a balanced approach that values expert guidance and personalized care. Nova Smiles is here to fill that need, offering a safe, reliable, and professional alternative for your dental consultation needs.
