SmileDirectClub, which is known for its direct-to-consumer invisible aligners, has decided to shut down its operations after filing for bankruptcy protection, according to Business Insider. This unexpected announcement has left many customers with concerns about their ongoing treatment and payment obligations.

People seeking information are greeted with a notice on SmileDirectClub’s website that reads,

“For existing customers, we apologize for the inconvenience, but customer care support is no longer available.”

SmileDirectClub announced that it’ll be canceling its aligner treatment and any pending orders that have not yet been shipped. However, the company has also stated that customers who have remaining balances will still be obligated to finish making their payments.

“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.”

SmileDirectClub customers have turned to the company’s subreddit page for answers now that their customer care support no longer exists. A customer recently shared their experience of signing up for aligners less than a week ago. However, they have now taken the step of contacting their credit card company to dispute the charge.

“I literally just signed up 6 days ago. Spend $300 and signed up for the payment plan,”

they wrote.

Netflix’s Too Hot To Handle star, Christine Obanor, who is also a customer of SmileDirectClub, took to TikTok to voice her frustrations on the company’s shut down.

“SmileDirect ending has to be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me,”

she said.

“I have one aligner left, and I don’t know what to do.”

After going public in 2019, SmileDirectClub faced a significant decline in company shares in 2020 due to difficulties in meeting analyst expectations. Initially, the company’s remarkable success led its cofounders, Alex Fenkell and Jordan Katzman, to become two of the youngest billionaires in the United States.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?