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# Mail Order Orthodontics
SmileDirectClub Lets Users Order Professional Dental Gear from Home

By Joey Haar | Published 2016-11-10 | Lifestyle
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smiledirectclub
References: [digitaltrends](http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/3d-printing-invisible-aligner/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=webfeeds) & [smiledirectclub](https://smiledirectclub.com/)

Traditionally, orthodontics has been something of a luxury that many people opt to go without, but [SmileDirectClub](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smiledirectclub-1) is making the joy of a straight smile more affordable. The company effectively turns [orthodontics into a mail order business](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orthodontic-system) (without sacrificing the benefit of professional medical training.)

To use SmileDirectClub, patients can either go into a 'SmileShop,' which is one of SmileDirectClub's brick-and-mortar offices, to get a [scan of their mouths](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/align-technology-itero), or they can make a 3D image themselves using an at-home kit. Those scans are then assessed by a dental professional who creates a plan for the patient and sends them that plan in a kit filled with personalized tools. The total treatment usually lasts five months and costs 70 percent less than traditional options.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 4.5/10
- Popularity: 72% | Activity: 54% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health)

## Key Themes

### What Makes This Trend Stand Out

- **Affordable Orthodontics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop cost-effective orthodontic solutions that make straight smiles accessible to a wider population.
- **Remote Orthodontic Treatment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore telemedicine and remote treatment options for orthodontic care to enhance convenience and accessibility for patients.
- **Customized Dental Kits:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create personalized dental kits for at-home orthodontic treatments, providing patients with the necessary tools and instructions for their individual treatment plans.

### Sectors Adopting This

- **Healthcare:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate orthodontics into telehealth platforms and leverage technology for more efficient and accessible dental care.
- **E-commerce:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Build an online marketplace for dental supplies and orthodontic products, catering to the growing demand for at-home dental care solutions.
- **Digital Imaging:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced 3D imaging technology for accurate and user-friendly dental scans, supporting the growth of remote orthodontic treatments.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Remote Teeth-Correcting Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dror-orthodesign.md)
- [Subscription-Style Retainer Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pediatric-dentistry.md)
- [Accessible Teledenistry Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grin-and-oral-b.md)
- [AI-Powered Dental Companies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-predict.md)
- [Dental Longevity Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smile-house.md)
- [Member-Exclusive Whitening Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whitening-kit.md)
- [Dental Treatment Forecasting App](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dental-treatment-forecasting-app-intellectsoft.md)
- [Uphraded Orthodontic Technology Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orthodontic-technology.md)
- [AI-Enhanced Orthodontic Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dralignnavi.md)