Fears that British customers will be 'left in the dark' after US-based SmileDirectClub dentistry company which sold 'DIY' £1,800 braces and sent them in the post closes down after going bust

British customers of the US-based Smile Direct Club dentistry company that sold 'DIY' braces and sent them in the post could be left in the dark after the company closed down after going bust. 

The controversial company was offering aligners for around £1,800 without the need to visit a dentist - before a final attempt to save the business failed after it was weighed down by debt. 

Some people on social media claimed customers were left with teeth that fell out or cracked as a result of the treatment not being overseen in person. 

This differed from traditional dentistry which sees orthodontists or dentists fit 'train-track' braces and clear aligners after an in-person consultation.

Have YOU been affected? Email katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk 

Customers were drawn to Smile Direct Club, founded in 2014, because of its low prices compared to regular forms of teeth straightening.  

Treatments with the business typically take between just four to six months and customers receive online check-ins with dentists.

Now customers in the UK and elsewhere have been left stranded after the firm said its customer support line will no longer be available, even though customers might require adjustments or check-ins for their aligners. 

The company said that those who want to continue their treatment should contact a local dentist. 

Those on payment plans are expected to keep making payments to the company, even though they are no longer receiving their promised 'lifetime smile guarantee'.

One Smile Direct Club customer from the UK, Gill, told MailOnline she is waiting for a set of aligners which she paid £200 for. 

'Don't expect there is much chance of me getting either the aligners or a refund,' she said.

'Having been a customer since 2021 I was very pleased with the results. However I felt I needed a top up programme and they agreed to this about three weeks ago. I paid £200 for the top up aligners which I assume will now be cancelled.

'I feel very guilty as I recommended several friends all of whom have paid out significant sums of money and who are awaiting their aligners.'

Another customer, named Marva, told MailOnline: 'I took out smiledirect last year. From the beginning the aligners did not work. I emailed repeatedly to the company with no response. 

'When I see that they were still advertising I answered one of the advert and tell them that was only way for me to get in contact with them. They say they will refund but I have received any money yet.' 

Others from the UK have reacted to the closure of Smile Direct Club on X, with one writing: 'Did Smile Direct Club go bankrupt... I still haven't ordered my retainers.'

Another wrote: 'Wait... omg a year ago TO THE DAY I did a Smile Direct Club consultation but decided not to go through with it, thank f*** for that.' 

Several people on Facebook also questioned what to do about their treatments, with one writing: 'Disgusting how we have all been treated... I only just signed up for my aligners, made my first payment and now I won't even be receiving my braces'.

Another customer wrote on Instagram: 'I did six months [of] treatment - and now what? I can't finish?... This is heart-breaking.'

In the statement on its website, Smile Direct Club apologised for the inconvenience caused.

They wrote: '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.'