At-home aligners: what happened and what to know

Page updated October 22, 2026.

At-home aligners are clear aligners sold directly to consumers, often by mail, with little or no in-person care. Two well-known US brands are gone: SmileDirectClub shut down in December 2023 (CBS News), and Byte stopped taking new patients after October 2024 (Dentsply Sirona 10-K). The American Association of Orthodontists strongly discourages mail-order treatment (AAO). Here is what happened, the risks, the questions to ask any provider, and the alternatives.

What at-home aligners are

With a traditional provider, an orthodontist or dentist examines you, takes X-rays and records, plans the treatment and checks your progress in person. Mail-order treatment often doesn't require an in-person visit before you receive your aligners, so there may be no X-rays or thorough exam (AAO). The AAO's objection is that orthodontic treatment "is not a product or device; it is a professional medical service" (AAO).

What happened to SmileDirectClub

SmileDirectClub went public in 2019 and never turned a profit (CBS News). It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2023 with debt of nearly $900 million, and ceased operations in December 2023 (CBS News). Its website told customers on its payment plan that they had to keep making monthly payments until paid in full, ended its "Lifetime Smile Guarantee", and said customers seeking refunds would have to wait for the bankruptcy process (CBS News). Customers interviewed by CBS News said they couldn't get aligners they had already ordered and that customer service and the app no longer worked (CBS News).

If you were mid-treatment, the practical step is the same as for any interrupted treatment: see an orthodontist, who can assess where your teeth are and whether to continue, adjust or retain them. Bring any records you have.

What happened to Byte

Dentsply also says it is repurposing Byte's technology to support other products in its aligner portfolio (Dentsply Sirona 10-K). If you're a Byte patient, contact the company about continued support, and consider an in-person orthodontic check.

What about other at-home brands?

Other companies sell aligners with remote or limited in-person care. We haven't verified each company's current model from a primary source, and we don't compare aligner brands on price because there's no reliable published price data. Ask any company the questions below, and check that a licensed dentist or orthodontist in your state is responsible for your care.

Risks of at-home treatment

The AAO lists several (AAO):

• No X-rays or exam. Panoramic X-rays show problems below the surface, such as jaw position, missing teeth, tooth roots and jawbone
• A one-size-fits-most plan that may not be right for your mouth
• Permanent damage from improperly fitted appliances
• Irreversible, expensive harm such as tooth and gum loss and changed bites

DIY tooth moving is riskier still. The AAO describes a published case in which parents used a small rubber band to close an 8-year-old's front-tooth gap; the band slipped under the gums, the boy lost more than 75% of the bone holding the teeth, and the two front teeth couldn't be saved (AAO).

Questions to ask any aligner provider

The AAO suggests asking (AAO):

1. Is any in-person dental or orthodontic visit included in the fee?
2. Who oversees my treatment plan, and what are their qualifications?
3. How do I reach that clinician if something goes wrong?
4. Which state is that clinician licensed in?
5. Are X-rays and diagnostic records taken before treatment starts?
6. Is the plan customized to my mouth and jaws?
7. Can I read reviews from patients you've treated?

Add a money question: what happens to your payments and treatment if the company stops operating? SmileDirectClub customers were told to keep paying after it closed (CBS News).

Alternatives to at-home aligners

CareCredit's own study gives a wider range for clear aligners, from $1,800 to $8,100 (CareCredit), so some in-office aligner treatment for mild cases costs less than people expect. To bring the price down further, ask about interest-free in-house plans, often 12 to 24 months (AAO), and see affordable braces. Many orthodontists offer the first consultation free (AAO); see free orthodontic consultations.