I did a lot of research last year when I wanted invisible aligners and Smile Direct was one of the companies I looked into before choosing CandidPro. The big news today is that Smile Direct just suddenly shut down overnight after filing for Ch. 11 bankruptcy, leaving tons of users without treatment and they’re still making them finish paying for their non-existent treatment!
2024 Update: Now that my treatment is done, they are saying the retainer isn’t included and is $1200, but will be discounted to $600! I am very, very upset about this and do not recommend Candid anymore.
CandidPro Invisible Aligners
I’m incredibly relieved I chose CandidPro (previously just called Candid). While they were more expensive than Smile Direct, they seemed like a safer choice as you are under the direct care of a dentist during the treatment. The cool thing about them is that you don’t have to go to the dentist every two weeks- you use their scanning contraption and an app to send in scans to have your progress evaluated.
They also have great customer service. I had a filling chip about 3 months into my treatment. My dentist said I really needed a crown on it, but that may make my current aligners not fit anymore and set back my progress. I didn’t want to get a filling and then later get a crown (I have bad dental anxiety) so I chose to get the crown and delay treatment.
After my tooth was fixed, they rescanned my teeth and CandidPro sent me an entire new box of aligners at no charge! I was pretty relieved. Overall, it’s been a really good experience. I just have a few weeks left and my bite is better, and my teeth are almost all perfectly straight.
They’ve recently rebranded themselves as CandidPro and can be found online at https://www.candidco.com/.
As for Smile Direct…
The Smile Direct website now goes to a FAQ page that states:
SmileDirectClub has made the incredibly difficult decision to wind down its global operations, effective immediately. For new customers interested in SmileDirectClub services, thank you for your interest, but aligner treatment is no longer available through our telehealth platform. For existing customers, we apologize for the inconvenience, but customer care support is no longer available. Thank you for your support and letting us improve over 2 million smiles and lives.
I placed an order for SmileDirectClub aligners, but have not yet received my aligners. What should I do?
Unfortunately aligner treatment is no longer available through the SmileDirectClub platform. All orders that have not yet shipped have been cancelled at this time, and you will not receive your aligners.
Should I continue to conduct my 60-day check-ins? Is my treating doctor still available to complete my treatment?
We apologize for the inconvenience, but aligner treatment is no longer available through the SmileDirectClub platform. If you wish to continue treatment outside of our platform, please consult your treating doctor or your local dentist with any questions around future aligner treatment.
I’m on the SmilePay Plan. Do I need to keep paying for my aligners?
SmilePay customers are expected to continue to make all monthly payments until payment has been made in full per the terms of our SmilePay program. For more questions, please contact HFD at 1-877-874-3877 or support@gohfd.com.
Is the Lifetime Guarantee still in place?
No. Effective immediately the Lifetime Smile Guarantee no longer exists.
How do I ask for a refund?
There will be more information to come once the bankruptcy process determines next steps and additional measures customers can take.
Isn’t that awful? So much for a “Lifetime Guarantee.” Now I’m never going to trust that phrase again! lol
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Categories: Health
Sounds like yet another case of a business over-extending itself. Responsible leadership has been replaced by risk for the sake of higher profits nowadays.
It’s just crazy that they can do that and expect people to finish paying for treatment! Like, how is that even legal?
It shouldn’t be. They’re no longer fulfilling their side of the contract.
Exactly!
I’m glad I had all that taken care of back in the 90s-00s when I was in middle/high school. I am really hoping the customers all ban together and either get a class action to get out of the contracts or all refuse to finish paying.
I had braces in middle school too, but your teeth shift as you get older unless you wear a retainer. I wore mine for maybe a year tops before I totally quit. My top stayed pretty straight over the years, but my bottom teeth started twisting and getting weird.
Up until a couple weeks ago, I had a permanent brace along my lower teeth. I had them for nearly 20 years before it ended up coming totally out while I was flossing and then eating later.
My top teeth stayed pretty straight too. Some of my teeth have no room to straighten and are sideways by force, my mom regrets getting me braces and not getting one tooth pulled.
oh wow, no teeth pulled! I had so many pulled it was awful. At least four of them were adult teeth. I still have a whole lotta teeth though, because I have all my wisdom teeth.
Sad to see a good company go, but it’s easier for them to flaunt warranties when they close down but customers are left in a lurch. Good you chose Candid Pro Candy. Will definitely look into this.
Candid has been great through the whole process!
Thanks for your reply and a happy new year!