Aligner therapy is an investment in your smile. Naturally, you want the results it delivers to last as long as possible. But your newly perfected alignment might not last forever. From pregnancy to age, there are a lot of things that can result in tooth shifts.
The fact that SmileDirectClub offers their Lifetime Smile Guarantee inspires a lot of confidence. But how comprehensive is it? Does it really protect you as an SDC client? We’ve got all the details you need to understand the SmileDirectClub Lifetime Smile Guarantee.
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SmileDirectClub at a Glance
There are many companies in the at-home clear aligner sphere, but none is as big or well-known as SmileDirectClub. Founded in 2014 with the mission to make orthodontic care accessible to all, it was the first company to take aligner therapy direct to consumer. Over the years, they straightened 1.5 million smiles across the globe.
All SmileDirectClub aligners in the US are made in-country in FDA-registered facilities. They use BPA-free plastics and most customers reach their final results in just 4-6 months. Your treatment is approved by a state-licensed dentist or orthodontist and your progress is monitored virtually by the SmileDirectClub team.
While there is a lot to love about SmileDirectClub, their Lifetime Smile Guarantee might be one of their most notable features. Where most companies do not guarantee their results for life — and those that do only apply this after treatment — SmileDirectClub’s policy has you covered from the date of your purchase through the rest of your life.
SmileDirectClub’s Lifetime Smile Guarantee
When you choose SmileDirectClub, your smile is guaranteed for life. As stated by Dr. Jeffrey Sulitzer, Chief Clinical Officer at SmileDirectClub, “Teeth naturally move throughout a person’s life, even after completing any teeth-straightening service.” Because your teeth can shift through no fault of your own, they want to make sure you have their help in maintaining your smile.
But their Lifetime Smile Guarantee doesn’t kick into effect after treatment is done, which is the case with Byte. Instead, it covers you right from the beginning of treatment with their 30-Day Money-Back Promise, prorated refunds after those 30 days, free aligner refinements during treatment, and free touch-ups for life. To better understand the terms, let’s break them down based on the coverage period.
The First 30 Days of Treatment
Most at-home aligner companies only offer refunds on the impression kit — and only if you either never opened it or they determined you aren’t a good fit for treatment. Outside of this, no money back is the industry standard.
SmileDirectClub doesn’t go with the flow here. If you decide that aligner therapy actually isn’t for you and you are still in your first 30 days of treatment (and you registered your aligners using your app or online account), you can get a full refund minus shipping costs. All you need to do is contact SmileDirectClub stating that you want your refund, then ship back the registered, unused aligners.
Just keep in mind that day one of these 30 days is whenever you receive your aligners — so start wearing them the day you get them!
During Treatment
Most people who get SmileDirectClub love their experience — but not everyone is thrilled. Whether they are unhappy with SmileDirectClub in particular or clear aligner therapy in general, sometimes customers change their minds in the middle of treatment. While you’d be out of luck with other providers, with SmileDirectClub, you can still get a refund.
Keep in mind that this is a partial refund prorated based on the number of aligners you have left that are unopened. You also need to have been doing a few things to qualify:
- Wearing your aligners for the right number of hours per day.
- Wearing each aligner set for the correct number of days.
- Completing virtual Smile Check-Ins on schedule.
- Being up-to-date on payments.
While SmileDirectClub will encourage you to get new aligners rather than stop completely and get a refund, the option will remain on the table.
After Treatment
Once treatment is complete and you are happy with your smile, you’ll want to keep it that way. The Lifetime Smile Guarantee actually includes aligner touch-ups once a year for the rest of your life. While you hopefully won’t need it quite that frequently, it is good to know that the option is there for you.
Of course, just like at the start of and during treatment, there are some things you need to do to qualify. These are:
- Maintaining a retainer subscription with SmileDirectClub.
- Replacing your retainers every six months.
- Wearing your retainers as prescribed.
- Getting approved by a SmileDirectClub state-licensed dentist or orthodontist for a touch-up.
The only other company that comes close to offering a guarantee like this is Byte, but their guarantee mandates that you meet more extensive requirements, such as proving your alignment changes aren’t related to injuries, gum disease, or tooth loss. However, since we haven’t gone through the process of using this guarantee ourselves, we aren’t sure if that is part of getting approved by their doctors.
Impression Kit Guarantee
While their Lifetime Smile Guarantee is pretty comprehensive, it doesn’t cover everything. That’s why SmileDirectClub also has an impression kit guarantee. Under this policy, you can get a full refund on your impression kit if their doctors determine treatment with SDC isn’t right for you. This makes your assessment risk-free for you.
Refunds and Returns
SmileDirectClub issues refunds to the payment method you used when purchasing your impression kit or aligners. It usually takes 5-10 days to go through. If you are on a monthly plan, you will continue to be charged until you have covered the cost of the aligners you did use.
To return aligners, make sure they are unopened and in their original bags. Then contact SmileDirectClub customer care so they can explain the shipping process. You will need to send them proof of shipment to get a refund, so make sure the carrier you select offers a tracking option and upgrade to this.
Does the Lifetime Smile Guarantee Protect You?
The SmileDirectClub Lifetime Smile Guarantee helps protect your smile — and your finances — during every step of treatment. Compared to competitors’ guarantees, it goes quite a bit further, offering protection during treatment and often while also placing fewer requirements on the customer. It’s powerful protection that you get free of charge. We think that’s a pretty great deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lifetime Smile Guarantee really for my entire lifetime?
Yes, it is. With this guarantee, you can get touch-ups to your alignment once a year every year for the rest of your life.
Does the SmileDirectClub guarantee include full refunds?
Yes. If you request this refund within 30 days of receiving your aligners, you get a full refund. After that, refunds are prorated based on the number of unopened aligners your return to the company.
Why would my teeth move if I do everything right?
Everyone’s teeth tend to naturally shift as they age. However, this isn’t always noticeable. If it is with your teeth, SmileDirectClub has your back.
Keep in mind there are also other reasons your teeth might shift that are partially or totally beyond your control, such as pregnancy, illness, and dental health issues.
How many correction aligners will SmileDirectClub issue?
They don’t specify a limit on this beyond issuing them no more than once per year. To the best of our knowledge, there is no limit on the number of aligners they will give you for touch-ups.
Are refinements part of the SmileDirectClub guarantee?
Yes. If you are considering getting a prorated refund in the middle of treatment, SmileDirectClub’s preference is that you instead get new aligners that refine the course of your treatment. The cost is covered under their Lifetime Smile Guarantee.
How does the SmileDirectClub guarantee compare to those of its competitors?
It’s broader in scope. Most companies offer limited, not lifetime, guarantees. Those that do usually only cover customers after the start of treatment and don’t allow for refunds. SmileDirectClub covers you from the first day of treatment through the rest of your life and allows for at least partial refunds up until you are on your last aligner set.
What things would disqualify me from the lifetime guarantee?
- Not wearing your aligners the right number of hours per day.
- Wearing your aligners sets for too many or too few days.
- Not completing your virtual Smile Check-Ins on schedule.
- Being behind in your payments.
- Not enrolling in a SmileDirectClub retainer subscription once treatment is complete.
- Not replacing your retainers every six months.
- Not wearing your retainers as often as prescribed.
- Not being approved by a SmileDirectClub state-licensed dentist or orthodontist for a touch-up.
Does tooth loss, tooth decay, or gum disease void the SmileDirectClub guarantee?
Not according to the terms outlined on their website. However, all these could disqualify you from being a good candidate for treatment, meaning you might not be able to get touch-ups from a safety standpoint, even if SmileDirectClub doesn’t explicitly deny you coverage due to these conditions.
Do I have to use SmileDirectClub’s retainers or can I get them from someone else?
According to SmileDirectClub’s terms stated on their website, you need to have a retainer subscription with them.
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