Nashville, Tenn.-based SmileDirectClub plans to sell its clear aligners directly to dentists and orthodontists through a wholesale channel.
The company announced Jan. 14 that it will offer dentists and orthodontists the opportunity to enroll in an in-office option this year. SmileDirectClub will support the distribution through its manufacturing operation in Antioch, Tenn. Additionally, the company is building a second manufacturing facility in Texas to support its increasing demand.
SmileDirectClub is now able to sell its products directly to providers since its exclusive supply agreement with Align Technology ended Dec. 31, 2019.
"We have seen increasing demand from the dentists and orthodontists in our network who wish to provide SmileDirectClub clear aligners to their in-office patients, and with our agreement with Align Technology now expired, we are no longer obligated to stay in the direct-to-consumer channel," said SmileDirectClub Co-founder Alex Fenkell.