Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, SmileDirectClub absolutely works. We customize each treatment plan using SmileOS™ – an innovative software that uses digital 3D rendering and our data from more than 2 million aligner treatment plans. With this advanced platform, SmileDirectClub’s network of licensed dentists and orthodontists can treat more patients, predict tooth movements with more precision, and better visualize our Club members’ results. Our at-home aligner kits provide a convenient option for reliable and affordable treatment.

During treatment, our dental experts are with you every step of the way, using regular virtual Smile Check-ins™ to track your progress. Our Customer Care team is available 24/7 via text, video chat, email, or phone to answer your questions, no matter how small – so we always know exactly how you and your smile are doing.

And when we say SmileDirectClub works, we’re so confident about our custom treatment plans that we guarantee your smile for life.² We’re fully committed to helping you get – and keep – a smile you love. Our Lifetime Smile Guarantee™ means we’ll work with you before, during, and after treatment to ensure you get the results you want – at no additional cost to you.

Still unsure? Read SmileDirectClub reviews from our satisfied customers.

Our clear aligner therapy includes several sets of tight-fitting, custom-made, BPA-free clear plastic trays that gradually shift teeth into their desired position.

Our clear aligners come as a set of multiple aligners. Each aligner will make slight adjustments to tooth position, a process that is mapped out in advance by a SmileDirectClub affiliated, duly licensed dentist or orthodontist who reviews your case. You’ll begin wearing a new set of aligners as prescribed, advancing you to the next stage of your new smile. We make it even easier by shipping your aligners directly to you.

Our aligners are made of a smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic that won't irritate your cheeks and gums like traditional metal braces often do.

SmileDirectClub clear aligners are trimmed in a straight fashion across the top, allowing us to get optimal turning force to straighten your teeth. This also eliminates the need for buttons or attachments, which are generally considered unsightly or uncomfortable.

Every SmileDirectClub order begins with a free Smile Assessment and an at-home impression kit or 3D image to determine if you are a smile candidate. The clear aligner system is designed for minor to moderate teeth correction, including space between teeth, crowding, rotations, and some bite correction. Am I A Candidate?

Typically, you will need to wait six weeks after having your third molars (or wisdom teeth) extracted before starting with SmileDirectClub. If your dentist or surgeon feels it’s safe, you may be able to start earlier with a signed release form from his or her office.

If your dentist has recommended removal of wisdom teeth, then please follow that direction. If not, you can purchase our at-home impression kit or book a scan and a duly licensed dentist or orthodontist will review your smile for you. And if it is determined that remote aligner treatment isn’t right for you, we will refund the cost of your impression kit.

Our aligners can work for some customers who have an implant. The licensed dentist or orthodontist assigned to you will assess your smile and determine if SmileDirectClub aligners are the best fit for you. If they determine they're not the best fit for your needs, the cost of your impression kit or scan is fully refundable.

Our aligners can work for some customers who have missing teeth. The licensed dentist or orthodontist assigned to you will assess your smile and determine if SmileDirectClub aligners are the best fit for you. If they determine they're not the best fit for your needs, the cost of your impression kit or scan is fully refundable.

Nighttime clear aligner therapy is a safe and effective path to a straighter smile. Like any clear aligner treatment plan, patients should follow their licensed dentist or orthodontist’s prescription of 10 consecutive hours of wear per night. While the average time of treatment may be longer than the average 22-hour a day aligner therapy, this discreet and flexible alternative will safely achieve desired results.

Nighttime Clear Aligners provide a more discreet, flexible treatment plan for customers with mild to moderate spacing and crowding issues. SmileDirectClub’s custom-made, BPA-free clear aligners will safely straighten your teeth with at least 10 hours of continuous wear each night.

• Traditional 22-hour a day clear aligner therapy is a more convenient, faster option for customers seeking treatment for a timely event like a graduation or a wedding.

Nighttime Clear Aligners is the first aligner system on the market that safely allows customers to wear clear aligners for only 10 continuous hours per night. Wearing Nighttime Clear Aligners while you sleep is more convenient to many people's lifestyle.

Nighttime Clear Aligners is the first aligner system on the market that safely allows customers to wear clear aligners for only 10 continuous hours per night. Wearing Nighttime Clear Aligners while you sleep is more convenient to many people's lifestyle.

There are three key reasons to take advantage of SmileDirectClub’s Nighttime Clear Aligners:

• Convenience: Customers can get the smile they’ll love while only wearing aligners for 10 hours per night;

• Affordability: Nighttime Clear Aligners cost 50% less than braces.** You can get a smile you love for a flat fee.

• Accessibility: Customers using Nighttime Clear Aligners may have careers or lifestyles that preclude them from wearing aligners during the day. These customers now have the flexibility to only focus on straightening their teeth at night. 

Nighttime Clear Aligner therapy provides a more discreet, flexible teeth straightening solution for customers who cannot commit to 22 hours of daily wear. 10-hour aligners are safe and very discreet to wear because customers only wear them at night and when they sleep.

A 3D image can be done at any SmileShop. In a 30-minute appointment, a SmileGuide will make a 3D image of your smile and send it directly to our lab so a dental professional can get started on building your custom treatment plan. SmileShops are located across the country. Find one near you on our Locations page. If you’re not near a SmileShop, or if you’d rather get started in the comfort of your own home, an at-home impression kit may be right for you. Simply use the kit to take impressions of your smile, then send it back to us. Return shipping is free. All you have to do is drop your completed kit in the mail!

You can purchase an impression kit for $79 here.

Remote clear aligner therapy isn't right for everyone. That's why we'll refund the cost of your impression kit if the dentist or orthodontist determines our clear aligners aren't a fit for you. Simply call our customer care team at 800-918-2461 after learning about your eligibility, to have your refund processed.

We can help! Give us a call at 800-918-2461 or send us a chat. All you'll need is your receipt. Simply provide the date of the purchase and your order number, and we can generate a new code for you.

If our lab receives distorted impressions that prevent them from making accurate aligners, we will contact you regarding sending another impression kit. We'll refund the price of the retake kit at the time of aligner purchase.

Yes! We regularly host virtual SmileParties where our Lead Dentist will walk you through using the impression kit. For more information about our SmileParties, check our Facebook page.

It’s your first step to getting a smile you’ll love. During your visit, a SmileGuide will take a 3D image of your current smile, which will be sent over to a duly licensed dentist or orthodontist in our network to oversee your new treatment plan. The best part is you only have to go once, and it’s just 30 minutes. Bye, waiting rooms!

Our SmileShops are located across North America. For a list of shops, visit our Locations page.

Simply book a scan on our Locations page. You’ll be given a few dates and times to choose from and our team will follow-up to confirm your scheduled appointment.

Life happens, and sometimes you run late. Please call us at 800-918-2461 and let us know when we can expect you to arrive at the SmileShop. We'll do everything in our power to work you into the schedule.

Give us a call at 800-918-2461 at least 24 hours before your appointment time to reschedule your appointment and avoid a cancellation fee.

About 20 to 30 minutes, give or take.

Our SmileGuides use a highly accurate 3D optical camera to capture a digital map of your smile, including your teeth and gum lines. This 3D image helps us determine if our aligners are a fit for your smile and allows our lab to work with the doctor overseeing your case in creating your personalized treatment plan.

SmileGuides come from a variety of backgrounds and are trained to efficiently and accurately capture a 3D image of your smile. Many of our SmileGuides are registered dental assistants, dental hygienists, or home health aides. We actively monitor and evaluate the quality of their work—including your experience. Our SmileGuides are able to answer any questions you have about our service, our process, our technology, and most questions about straightening your smile using clear aligners.

That’s no problem at all. We also offer an easy-to-use, at-home impression kit that includes an online photo assessment and dental impressions.

Yes. Your new smile will be reviewed, modified (if necessary), and approved by a duly licensed dentist or orthodontist. This ensures your new smile is improved and aligns within the "Standards of Care." For more details, read our blog post.

Yes, after we receive your impressions or 3D image, we create a custom treatment plan which shows a before and after 3D visualization of how your teeth will move with treatment. If our doctors determine that our clear aligners aren't the right fit for you, we'll be happy to refund your impression kit. You can see examples of how our custom treatment plans work by visiting our Results page.

The licensed dentist or orthodontist assigned to you will determine the best plan for your needs, but we straighten most smiles in an average of 4-6 months.¹

It’s possible. The duly licensed dentist or orthodontist assigned to your case will decide what the safest and best treatment option is for you.

We include Chewies with your aligners to help you get a tighter fit. Simply insert your aligners, put your Chewie between your teeth, and chew as if it were a piece of gum. Use your Chewies for 10–15 minutes at a time, 2–3 times per day.

Because we custom-make your aligners to fit your mouth, our goal is to make your aligners the appropriate size to realign your smile while being as unobtrusive as possible. Your aligners should cover at least one third of each molar.

Wear your aligners as directed by your prescribed treatment plan. Take them out for eating and drinking.

Much like the days after a good workout at the gym, most people experience some tooth soreness for a few days after wearing new aligners. This is perfectly normal. It is a sign that your aligners are working, gently moving your teeth to their final destination. This soreness should gradually go away after the first few days of wearing new aligners. If the pain doesn't go away, contact our customer care team at 800-765-8951.

Most SmileDirectClub customers don't need to make any additional visits to a dental office during their clear aligner treatment, aside from regular dental cleanings.

We understand that mistakes happen. For starters, give our customer care team a call at 800-765-8951 so we can understand where you are in your smile journey and our dental team can provide the best recommendation for your care based on your unique situation. Your treating doctor and our dental team may advise you to wear your last set of aligners or to move on to the next set. If we determine you need a replacement aligner, we will send the first set to you for free. Subsequent replacement aligners may be subject to a $125 surcharge depending on the circumstances. Either way – give us a call and we’ll work with you to develop the best path forward for your treatment.

Protect your investment! We strongly recommend you safeguard your new smile with our custom-fit SmileDirectClub clear retainers. Without retainers, teeth have a tendency to shift back to their original positions. Keep them from moving back with our custom-fit retainers. One set costs $165 and is available to purchase toward the end of your treatment. Call our customer care team at 800-765-8951 about 4–5 weeks before you finish your treatment plan to place your order.

As with any orthodontic treatment, you'll need to wear a retainer regularly to maintain your new smile. You'll wear your retainers 24 hours a day (except for eating and drinking) for the first two weeks. After that, you'll want to wear your retainers only while you sleep. We recommend replacing your retainers every six months to keep them fresh.

Making changes to your account information is easy. Log in to your account on our website or call us at 800-765-8951 to update your shipping address, email, phone number, or credit card on file. We’re happy to help you keep your contact information current.

Yes, all customers receive complimentary bright on™ teeth whitening so you can brighten your smile while you straighten it.

You can keep track of your aligners by logging into your account on our website. Once at your dashboard, simply enter the date on which you start wearing your first set of aligners and let the dashboard do the rest. You can log in to see when you’re scheduled to change to your next set, which aligner you should be wearing, and how many days and aligners you have left in your treatment plan. If you ever get off course because of a vacation or forgetting to wear your aligners, you can always reset your dashboard by clicking the Get Back on Track button.

If at the end of your treatment plan, having followed the treatment guidelines, you haven’t achieved a straighter smile, contact us so your dentist or orthodontist can re-evaluate your results. If your re-evaluation is approved, you may be eligible for additional aligners to continue your journey. Don’t forget: You need to notify us within 30 days of completing your treatment plan for the warranty to remain valid.

To maintain your warranty:

• Wear your aligners as directed;

• Register your aligners at SmileDirectClub.ca/en-ca/patient-portal; and

• Respond to each virtual check-in by sending an email with the requested photos.

First, you’d get started with our $79 at-home impression kit or a 3D image at a SmileShop. Once your new smile is ready, you have two convenient payment options. With Single Pay, make a one-time payment of $2830 which is half the cost of braces and Invisalign.⁴ You can also pay over time with SmilePay™ for a down payment of $300 and $115 a month for 28 monthly payments. There are no credit checks or forms to fill out, so there is 100% approval after your down payment is processed. At the end of treatment, you'll want to purchase a retainer to preserve your new smile. We sell these for $165 a set. You can learn more about our clear aligner pricing by visiting our Pricing page.

We accept all major credit cards (Visa and MasterCard), as well as HSA and FSA.

Yes! With SmilePay™, make a down payment of $300 and convenient monthly payments of $115 a month for 28 months. There are no credit checks or forms to fill out, so there is 100% approval after your down payment is processed. However, if you pay in one single payment, you can get your new smile for just $2830.

Yes! Call 800-683-9573 and we'll be happy to help you process your payment for the remaining balance.

If your dental plan provides orthodontic benefits, you may be eligible for coverage from your insurance company. In most cases, SmileDirectClub will coordinate payment directly with the insurance company so you only pay the balance of what you owe after discounts and insurance coverage is applied to the total cost of your treatment.

There are some cases where your insurance policy may require that you pay for the total balance of your aligner treatment and apply for reimbursement from your insurance company. We can get you the forms you need to file your claim for reimbursement.

For tips on checking your insurance coverage, please visit Insurance Page.

Yes, we accept both! Simply process your HSA/FSA debit card (Visa and MasterCard) like you would any credit or debit card. If you have an HSA/FSA account without a card, give our SmileExperts a call at 800-683-9573 to process your order.

If the dentist or orthodontist determines that our clear aligners aren’t the right fit for you, we’ll gladly refund your risk-free impression kit or SmileShop scan. If, within the first 30 days of your treatment plan, you’re dissatisfied for any reason, contact us to return your aligners. Learn more on our Returns page.

No, sorry. You can only use one promo code per purchase.

Single Pay is the payment option that offers our overall best value and lowest price. Save up to $690 over other payment options with a one-time payment of $2830 and you'll be on your way to a smile you'll love!

SmilePay is our convenient monthly payment option. All we need to get started is a low down payment of $300. No credit checks. No forms to fill out. Financing with 100% approval. Then, we will charge your credit card, HSA, or FSA $115 a month for 28 months.

HFD is our financing partner. HFD requires a $300 down payment and $115 a month for 28 months. If you have questions about HFD financing, contact 800-765-8951.

SmileDirectClub is committed to getting you the smile you’ll love, for life. With our Lifetime Smile Guarantee, if you feel your smile isn’t working out during – or at any point after – treatment, we’ll make it right, at no additional cost to you.

In the first 30 days of treatment:

If you decide that clear aligners aren’t for you within the first 30 days of receiving them, we’ll provide a full refund (shipping costs not included). Simply ship your remaining aligners back to SmileDirectClub. This 30-Day Money-Back Promise is part of our Lifetime Smile Guarantee.

The 30-day time period starts the day your aligners are delivered to you and you’ve registered them online in your account.

In the middle of treatment:

Your regular virtual Smile Check-ins™ are designed to track your progress. If you feel like something’s not right, or you’re not getting the results you expect, contact our dental care team. They will evaluate your treatment plan to determine if an update to your treatment plan and, possibly, additional aligners are necessary. If they are, we’ll create and ship new aligners, at no cost to you.

If you decide that clear aligners aren’t for you, outside of the first 30 days, you can still return your unused aligners for a prorated refund (based on the percentage of aligners returned unopened and unused). Please note: You are responsible for shipping costs when returning aligners.

After treatment:

As long as you replace your SmileDirectClub retainers every 6 months and wear them as prescribed, you'll qualify for a free aligner touch-up each year if you ever need one.

Follow these steps to return your aligners:

• To ensure a full refund, make sure to return your unused aligners, in their original bags, within 30 days of receiving them.

• Please note, you are responsible for shipping costs. We recommend using a trackable carrier such as FedEx or UPS. This way, even if a shipment is lost in transit, we can process your refund.

• For address and further information, call 1-800-765-8951.

Getting started with SmileDirectClub aligners is completely risk-free. Our 30-Day Money-Back Promise is designed to let you experience your aligners to ensure your satisfaction. If you decide SmileDirectClub aligners are not for you within the first 30 days, we’ll refund the full cost.

Impression kit

We’ll refund the cost of your risk-free impression kit if your assigned dentist or orthodontist determines our clear aligners aren’t a fit for you.

Aligners

If you’re within the first 30 days and you’re not happy for any reason, you can return your unused SmileDirectClub clear aligners, and all payments you’ve made for the aligners will be refunded. The 30-day time period begins the day your aligners are delivered to you and you’ve registered them online in your account.

If you’re past the initial 30-day window and are not happy with your treatment, you can also return your unused SmileDirectClub aligners for a prorated refund for all unopened and unused aligners.

It’s that simple, and we’re that confident. But please note, you’re responsible for any shipping charges when returning your aligners.

To remain eligible for the Lifetime Smile Guarantee, follow these steps.

During treatment:

1. Register your aligners in your account online when you receive them

2. Wear your aligners for the prescribed amount of time

3. Complete your regular virtual Smile Check-ins

4. Stay up-to-date on payments

After treatment:

1. Replace retainers every 6 months

2. Wear your retainers every night as prescribed

During treatment, teeth can sometimes be stubborn and not shift as expected. This is completely normal. In fact, it’s why your dentist or orthodontist conducts regular check-ins to track your progress.

When an adjustment might be needed, our dental team flag this for your treating doctor who will then review and approve a modified treatment plan. When an aligner touch-up is needed and the new treatment plan has been approved and prescribed by your doctor, we will create and ship new aligners, at no cost to you, so you don’t miss a beat.

If you’re unsure about asking for a touch-up, please contact us via chat, phone call, or email to speak with our dental team.

You could be eligible for an aligner touch-up if you:

1. Wear your aligners as prescribed throughout your treatment plan, except when eating or drinking anything other than cool water.

2. Register your aligners at SmileDirectClub.ca/en-ca/checkin.

3. Respond to each regular Smile Check-in from your doctor by sending an email with the requested photos.

During treatment, if you’re concerned your teeth aren’t moving as expected, please contact us via chat, phone call, or email to arrange a Smile Check-in with our dental team.

Share your concerns with our team and ask about an aligner touch-up. They will evaluate your plan and if it’s decided an aligner touch-up is needed, we will create and ship new aligners, at no cost to you.

Things come up. We get it.

If you are currently in treatment, you will become eligible again as long as you:

1. Check in your aligners (check your email to do this)

2. Complete your future Smile Check-ins (via email)

3. Are current on your payments

4. Purchase retainers after treatment, replace them every 6 months, and wear them as prescribed

If you just finished treatment, you can become eligible again as long as you:

1. Are current on your payments

2. Replace retainers every 6 months and wear them as prescribed

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible, contact us to find out.

Currently the Lifetime Smile Guarantee is for new Club members, Club members currently in treatment, and Club members who have finished treatment within the past 30 days.

Yes, straighter teeth deliver definite health benefits. Since they’re easier to clean and floss than crooked, crowded teeth, having a straighter smile reduces your chances of tooth and gum disease. And since misaligned teeth are more susceptible to chipping and other wear and tear, straighter teeth can also last longer.

Yes. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, which contributes to overall good dental health. Poor dental health has been linked to heart disease, stroke, kidney issues, and more. So having straighter teeth can significantly contribute to better overall health.

Yes. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, leading to improved oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene, on the other hand, can result in oral infections, which contribute to diseases like endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, and pneumonia. So straightening your teeth can help you to avoid these health complications. 

bright on is our premium whitening, prescribed by one of our dentists for customers 18 or older. It is a full system of teeth whitening that gets your teeth to their brightest bright.

Use morning and evening daily for 1 week. Brush teeth first – do not floss. Open the bright on pen and twist the bottom until gel is visible on the brush. Brush the gel onto your front top and bottom teeth in a circular motion and wear for 5 minutes. (When paired with our LED accelerator light, wear for up to 10 minutes.) Avoid putting gel on your gums. The gel will lightly foam as it penetrates.

After 5 minutes, spit out the excess foam. Do not rinse, eat, or drink for 20 minutes. Avoid foods and drinks that easily stain teeth (wine, coffee, etc.) for 24 hours.

A 1-week supply of bright on contains 4 pens (each pen contains 4 applications), and when used twice daily will get your teeth to their brightest bright. The results last for up to 90 days.

We recommend using a 1-week supply of bright on once every 90 days.

Enhance the power of your bright on premium teeth whitening with the same type of LED light technology used by dentists. This cool blue LED light activates our Bright Boost™ formula to work even faster.

First brush your teeth but do not floss. Then open the bright on premium whitening pen and twist the bottom until the gel is visible on the brush. Brush the gel onto your front top and bottom teeth in a circular motion. Then plug the light into your phone using the appropriate attachment, insert it into your mouth, and wear it for up to 10 minutes. It’s normal for the gel to foam on your teeth, and it’s harmless if you happen to swallow some. Once finished, take out the light and spit out any excess gel.

Remove the detachable Android and iPhone cables from the LED light to avoid damaging them. Using lukewarm water, rinse and wipe off the mouthpiece. Allow the light to dry in a well-ventilated place. Once dry, pack it into its plastic case.

Yes, bright on is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and lactose-free.

Using teeth whitening with bonding or fillings can discolor your teeth. bright on does not whiten veneers.

You can purchase bright on on our Shop Site. If on a mobile device, click “Accessories” in the right-hand navigation panel of your screen. If on a desktop, click “Accessories” in the top navigation bar.

If your bright on is defective, give us a call at 800-617-9561. We will process your refund and send you a return shipping label so you can send the bright on back to us.

SMILECHECK is our proprietary technology system that connects you and your prescribing dentist or orthodontist and manages your treatment plan and dental case records. Through a secure provider portal, your doctor can view images and dental impressions, and prescribe your treatment. These tools equip SmileGuides and lab technicians in performing their work and managing your case file. And SMILECHECK provides you, the customer, direct access to upload photos and images, manage your account, and view your treatment plan.

Our minimum age requirement is 12 years old, and patients must have all permanent teeth present. For patients under the age of 18, we need a parent/guardian signature on the Medical/Dental History Form provided during the evaluation step.

At the moment, SmileDirectClub clear aligners are available in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and Ireland.

Yes. We have several before and after photos and video testimonials on our Results page.

Yes, you may purchase impression kits and aligners for more than one individual. The best way to do so is for each patient to have an account tied to a unique email address, regardless of who made the purchase. While we’re actively working to update our platform to allow a single user account to manage multiple customers, for now you will need to purchase each kit under a different email address to ensure proper prescription and monitoring of treatment. If you only have one email address, there are many free email services available that you can use.

Yes! If you canceled your order, you can restart with SmileDirectClub at any time. To get started, submit another Smile Assessment by selecting Am I A Candidate?

Yes! If you’ve fixed the eligibility concerns you can restart your case. To get started, submit a new Smile Assessment by selecting Am I A Candidate?

We’re here to help you get a straighter, brighter smile. If at the end of treatment, having followed the treatment plan prescribed by your duly licensed dentist or orthodontist, you don’t achieve the smile you love, contact us so your doctor can re-evaluate your results. If your re-evaluation is approved, you may be eligible for additional aligners to continue your journey. Learn more about our Club Warranty on the Returns page.