sdcalignersettlement com
Get your money back on those clear aligners— here’s the straight story in plain talk.
TL;DR
Align Technology agreed to shell out $31.75 million to settle claims that its Invisalign tie‑up with SmileDirectClub jacked up prices. If any cash left your pocket for SmileDirectClub aligners between October 22 2017 and August 18 2022, head to sdcalignersettlement.com, file a claim by October 27 2025, or choose to opt out. (sdcalignersettlement.com)
What kicked this off?
Align Technology— the Invisalign folks— once held a big ownership chunk of SmileDirectClub and supplied them with aligners. Plaintiffs say that cozy relationship warped competition and made everyone else overpay. A California federal judge gave the deal preliminary approval on May 28 2025. (hbsslaw.com)
Think of it like two pizza joints secretly agreeing to keep slices at ten bucks. Customers still get pizza, but the wallet feels lighter for no good reason. That’s essentially what the lawsuit called “price‑fixing.”
How big is the check?
Thirty‑one million, seven‑hundred‑fifty thousand dollars. Not chump change, yet spread across hundreds of thousands of potential claimants, the slice per person won’t fund a Caribbean cruise. Still, free cash beats none. Align already logged the entire amount as a legal hit in its 2025 financials. (investor.aligntech.com)
Who stands in line?
Anyone in the United States who bought, paid for, or reimbursed someone for SmileDirectClub aligners during the class window qualifies. It doesn’t matter whether the purchase happened online, at a SmileShop, or through some dental benefits program.
Live outside the U.S.? Tough luck— the class stops at the border, as Reddit users from the U.K. quickly discovered when they tried to sign up.
Deadlines that matter
- Claim submission: Online or postmarked no later than October 27 2025.
- Opt‑out: Same date. Want freedom to sue Align solo? This is the escape hatch.
- Objection: Also October 27 2025. Write to the court if something smells fishy.
- Final approval hearing: Scheduled afterward (the court sets that date). Cash won’t flow until the judge bangs the gavel. (sdcalignersettlement.com)
Miss any cutoff and the settlement passes by like the last bus of the night.
Filing a claim— step by step
- Go to sdcalignersettlement.com and hit “Submit a Claim.”
- Fill in name, address, and a few purchase details.
- Attach proof if available— email receipts, credit‑card statements, even a selfie with your aligner kit helps.
- Click submit or drop the form in the mail.
No proof? Still file. The administrator may accept sworn statements, but documented buyers jump to the front of the payout line.
Opting out— when does that make sense?
Anyone aiming for a bigger personal lawsuit, or just allergic to class actions, should opt out. Picture someone who spent tens of thousands rehabbing a bite gone wrong; their individual damages might dwarf the class check. Opting out keeps that door open.
Objecting— yelling from inside the tent
Think the lawyers snag too much of the pot? Believe the formula for splitting cash stinks? File an objection. The judge reads them before final approval. It’s like posting a comment during code review: maybe minor, but sometimes it sparks changes.
How payments get divided
The administrator first shaves off court‑approved attorney fees (often up to a third), litigation costs, and service awards for the lead plaintiffs. What’s left is split among approved claimants. No exact per‑person estimate yet; it depends on the final headcount and proof tiers. Expect electronic payment options— direct deposit, PayPal, maybe a prepaid card.
Real‑world analogy
Imagine the local gym and the only sports‑gear store collude so everyone must pay premium for sneakers. Years later, a lawsuit forces the store to cough up a fund. Gym members can now claim part of the refund, but they need to show a membership card or receipt to get priority. Same vibe here: aligner users get compensated for overpaying because market competition got rigged.
Common worries answered
“Is the email about this settlement sketchy?”
Many legit notices land in spam filters and look like phishing. Check that the link spells exactly “sdcalignersettlement.com.” Anything else, close the tab.
“Do teeth still need to be straightened to qualify?”
No. The class hinges on money spent, not treatment outcome.
“Bought aligners after August 18 2022— covered?”
No. Purchases after that cut‑off fall outside the class.
“Partial reimbursements?”
Even if insurance paid half, the out‑of‑pocket portion counts.
Where to get help
Questions? Ring the toll‑free line 1‑888‑788‑8304 or email info@SDCAlignerSettlement.com. A human at Epiq, the settlement administrator, will walk through specifics. (sdcalignersettlement.com)
Lawyers aren’t mandatory, but anyone lost in legal lingo can hire one. Just remember: attorney fees will eat into any extra gain unless the lawyer works pro bono.
Final thoughts
Settlements rarely feel life‑changing, yet they punch companies where it hurts— the balance sheet— and keep markets fairer. If clear aligners straightened teeth while bending wallets, now is the moment to claim some restitution. The online form takes minutes. Calendar the deadline, gather evidence, and press submit. Straight smiles already cost plenty; snagging a refund is like finding spare cash in the pocket of last winter’s coat.
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