SmileDirectClub Facing Lawsuit Following Complaints from Users

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to hear from SmileDirectClub customers who experienced issues with their teeth following use of the company’s aligners.

A class action lawsuit has been filed alleging that SmileDirect sold aligners that are both dangerous and defective and falsely represented that licensed dentists would be overseeing customers’ care.

In light of these claims, attorneys working with ClassAction.org have launched their own investigation into the company in the hopes of helping SmileDirect customers take legal action for their dental bills and other losses. They are looking to speak to as many people as possible as part of their investigation, as the class action case is likely headed to arbitration.

What Problems Have Been Linked to SmileDirectClub’s Aligners?

The plaintiff who filed the proposed class action lawsuit claims he experienced pain in his teeth and gums after using SmileDirect’s aligners, which prompted him to seek care from his dentist. The dentist allegedly told the plaintiff that the aligners applied too much pressure on his teeth and caused them to crack.

The plaintiff’s alleged injuries are not uncommon among SmileDirect customers. Users have reported that their gums have bled or receded, that their teeth felt loose to the point the patient feared they would fall out, and that the aligners cut their gums.

Below is a sample of complaints posted online by those who used the company’s products [sic throughout]:  

[M]y dentist told me I had severe posterior open bite from the aligners and that the business needed to fix it. I contacted them and was sent back to the office for a rescan. They sent out new aligners that did not fix the issue but only would shift the front portion of my teeth. I called back and was told that i would hear from the care team about a solution. I had already requested a refund but was told they would look into it. I was sent an email saying that open bite is common with this treatment and that I would need to seek occlusal equilibration to correct my bite. I called and made another attempt at getting a refund and was told I would be contacted by someone with that department. I did not hear back. I went to an orthodontist last week and was told I am not a candidate for clear aligners and that I need braces to correct my bite.”
— BBB.org

I hit my 90 day/halfway mark today and recently I’ve noticed that a couple of my bottom teeth are loose. I’m super concerned about eating or them falling out. I plan on going to a dentist irl soon to ask if I’m doing any damage by going through SDC.”
— mulderforever1, Reddit.com

I currently have SDC and am waiting to get a response from an orthodontist regarding some issues that I’m having with the aligners squeezing my gums so hard that they turn white, so I’m not wearing them. It’s been weeks and haven’t heard back and obviously, I’m not wearing the aligners if it could potentially damage my gum tissue.”
— prettylilred, LifeHacker.com

Long story short 4 weeks into Smile direct club i had pretty bad pain in my right jaw while eating and would also just have resting pain in the same area. I went to the dentist and he quickly recommended to quit smile direct club and move towards wearing a new device to help align my jaw. 4 weeks after stopping and not yet having this new aligner my jaw pain is all gone and my bite is back to touching. When wearing the smile direct club aligners i noticed my bite didn't touch in the back at all.”
— HardcoreThorX, Reddit.com

When I Saw SDC it seemed like a great idea. I had a four month plan that seemed acceptable! 2 months in, I noticed I had a lot of gum irritation, definitely made worse by the plastic material on the aligner hurting my gum. Gums aside, after having X-rays taken at my new dentist (I Switched jobs) the dentist noticed that due to the shape of my teeth, they shouldn't have been moved up and out like SDC Did. At this point, I've immediately stopped SDC and am trying to get a refund beyond the 30 day period.”
— cataringso, Reddit.com

The American Dental Association “strongly discourages” the use of “do-it-yourself” teeth straightening products such as SmileDirect’s aligners and filed complaints in 36 states in 2017 alleging that SmileDirect was “violating laws governing the practice of dentistry.”

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