SmileDirectClub

SmileDirectClub (formerly SmileCareClub)
Private
Industry Teledentistry
Founded 2013
Founder Jordan Katzman
Alex Fenkell
Headquarters Nashville, TN, United States
Area served
 United States
Products Orthodontic aligners
Website Official Website

SmileDirectClub, formerly named SmileCareClub, is an American teledentistry company based in Nashville, Tennessee.[1] The company remotely provides their clients with clear plastic orthodontic aligners through the mail that are designed to straighten their teeth.[2] SmileDirectClub currently maintains a network of hundreds of orthodontists and dentists in 49 states and the District of Columbia to offer professional dental guidance and consultation to their clients.[3] The company has been profiled on The Today Show[4] and in The New York Times,[5] among other television programs[6] and publications. The company changed its name to SmileDirectClub in March 2016. [7]

History

The concept for SmileDirectClub was envisioned by Jordan Katzman and Alex Fenkell. In 2013, they teamed up with David Katzman and Doug Hudson to create SmileDirectClub, a lower-cost alternative to traditional orthodontics. The four initially turned to crowdfunding site, Indiegogo, to secure funding for their venture.[8] According to the company, their service can cost between $1500 and $1735 from start to finish.[5][9] Most of SmileDirectClub's customers are adults who have incurred some kind of dental relapse.[4][10] The starter kits have been sold through SmileDirectClub's website and The Sharper Image catalog since mid-2014.[11] SmileDirectClub began including whitening by GLO Science in their evaluation kit in October 2015. [12]

Products and services

This is an example of a SmileDirectClub top teeth 3D treatment plan

When customers opt in to the SmileDirectClub program, they will first receive an evaluation (or starter) kit in the mail.[3] The kit provides resources to create dental impressions and instructions for taking photographs of the teeth and mouth.[1] SmileDirectClub uses vinylpolysiloxane (VPS) impression material since it is both highly accurate (capturing fine detail like gum lines) and resistant to temperature extremes that may be encountered during shipping.[13] The impression and photographs are shipped back to the company where they can be evaluated by dental professionals and a 3D model is created. The 3D model is used to create a model of the patient’s teeth. These computer images are used to design the desired position as prescribed by the licensed dental professional assigned to oversee the patient’s treatment.[5] (ELP: Endorsed Local Provider).

This is an example of a SmileDirectClub bottom teeth 3D treatment plan

When customers opt in to the SmileDirectClub program, they will first receive an evaluation (or starter) kit in the mail.[3] Once the treatment is approved a series of BPA-free clear plastic aligners are custom-made for the patient.[14] These are worn in a specific sequence to gradually move the patient’s teeth into the desired position.[3] Aligner wear varies based on treatment plan and can range from 17 hours to 22 hours a day. They are removed for brushing and flossing teeth or for physical activities like sports. The treatment takes between 3-10 months to complete, depending on correction needed.[1] Upon completion of treatment the patient receives a set of custom-designed retainers to be worn (usually at night) throughout their life to maintain the correction. Throughout the course of the treatment, customers are connected to dental professionals who offer guidance and advice.[1][10][15]

This is an example of a SmileDirectClub top and bottom teeth 3D treatment plan

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "SmileCareClub". WXIA-TV. 29 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "SmileCareClub". WSMV Channel 4. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Kennedy, Eleanor (9 February 2015). "This Nashville startup wants to fix your smile from afar". Nashville Business Journal. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  4. 1 2 Sheinelle Jones (reporter), Matt Lauer (host), Savannah Guthrie (host) (26 February 2015). Bracing for Change. The Today Show. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Saint Louis, Catherine (1 February 2015). "Straighter Teeth by Mail". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  6. ↑ Jonathan Levine (professor) (17 February 2015). DIY Orthodonture. WNYW. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "SmileCareClub is Now SmileDirectClub". SmileDirectClub. 29 March 2016.
  8. ↑ Alois, JD (16 April 2014). "SmileCareClub Wants to Disrupt Dentists". Crowdfund Insider. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  9. ↑ Strong, Bernadette (4 February 2015). "Do-It-Yourself Tooth Straightening? No. Mail Order Orthodontics? Maybe.". Youth Health Magazine. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  10. 1 2 "An Interview with SmileCareClub CEO Doug Hudson". The Progressive Orthodontist. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  11. ↑ "At-Home Teeth Straightening System becomes Top Seller for Sharper Image in Less than One Year". Virtual-Strategy Magazine. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  12. ↑ "SmileCareClub Now Includes GLO Whitening". SmileCareClub Blog. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  13. ↑ "Is SmileCareClub Legit?". SmileCareClub. 9 September 2015.
  14. ↑ "Would you try orthodontia by mail to get straighter teeth?". WRCB. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  15. ↑ Smith, Ernie (6 February 2015). "Don't Try This at Home: Orthodontists Warn Against Home Remedies". Associations Now. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
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