ALIGNERCO

For a time, a very helpful employee was assigned to my case and got a new set of aligners to complete the job - but soon after their receipt I noticed in the motion chart that my two teeth with the biggest gap between them were not being moved at all, despite the before/after preview clearly showing that gap being closed, with the two teeth in question back in contact upon projected completion. I brought this to the helpful employee's attention, who acknowledged the problem; a new preview was created and the "before view" did not accurately resemble my teeth - which would seem impossible since there was a digital scan done! From that point, no progress has been made on my case for several months.

ALIGNERCO would prefer that I take a partial refund and walk away; in principle I cannot accept this as my teeth have problems created by their treatment (monitored at every step of the way, and for which I was very compliant) never present before I began. One agent even told me something to the effect of "If I were you, I'd accept that preview" - referring to the one where the "before view" did not accurately represent the position of my teeth. I want resolution so that my teeth are properly aligned/spaced with proper bite. I have been all too patient already. I cannot more wholeheartedly advise avoidance of this company. I never had to fight this hard or this long as a consumer for basic fulfillment of reasonable expectations.

After a subsequent week of reaching out to Alignerco to receive a refund (or the paid-for retainers), with no response, I have filed a BBB complaint (they have an F rating) and filed a dispute with my credit card company. I am now working on letters to the FTC, the attorney general’s office, local news agencies, and consumer fraud bureaus, and, if need be, I will file a claim in the NY small claims court to recover the monies paid. I am also fortunate that both of my brothers-in-law are attorneys as I will be reaching out to them as well.

Alignerco Business Practices:

1. After paying for an initial teeth impression kit, Alignerco claimed that every mold I made was not perfect enough and asked that I pay an additional amount each time for several more impression kits. This went on for three cycles. I refused to pay for the additional kits so AlignerCo sent them for free. I recommend that you not pay for any additional kits.

2. The aligners seemed to have been (purposefully) designed to only achieve 80% alignment, just as their “contract” states. This forces a client to spend an additional amount ($250 in my case, which I refused to pay so they sent them for free) for supplemental aligners. However, they require that the client make new impressions and, not surprisingly, none of them seemed to be perfect enough for them to work with so they request an additional $25 for each additional kit.

3. After initially leaving an honest but obviously scathing online review of Alignerco, they contacted me and asked that I remove that review in return for them providing the additional aligners at no charge. That’s when they sent the impression kit (they wanted to charge me $25 but I refused so they sent it for free), but then they once again claimed none were able to be used and requested that I pay $25 for still another impression kit. This one time, in good faith, I paid the $25. They sent a new kit, and, unsurprisingly, they claimed that none of them were good enough. That’s when I requested a refund for the already paid-for retainers—and skip trying to further realign my teeth (or to just send me the retainers).

4. Since their “guarantee” is that you’ll achieve 80% or so alignment, my first round of 21 aligners left me with my top and bottom teeth hitting each other, thereby forcing me to purchase supplemental aligners or just put up with it, which is what I ultimately chose to do.

5. My bottom front teeth became very loose during the alignment process—one became so loose I had to pay my dentist to install a splint after completing the 21 aligners. Beware that Alignerco, being an online company, doesn’t concern themselves with the amount of prior or during-the-alignment-process bone loss by examining X-rays. This is a vital element that is missing from the Alignerco process and had I known its importance beforehand I would have spent the extra money for a dentist-based aligner system like Invisalign. There were several other negative aspects of dealing with Alignerco but since they pale in comparison I’m leaving them out of this review. In summary, I would strongly recommend that you consider almost any other company for aligners.

The lower aligner is malformed causing a gap between the teeth and the aligner. Causing wounds and ulcers of the mouth as the bulging plastic slices against the tongue. She couldn't eat, drink, or speak without pain. This cannot be fixed with filing. You would have to remove so much material that you would compromise the aligner's ability to do its intended purpose. Effectively cutting off teeth from the aligner. Refabrication is absolutely necessary. By the company's own admission this is not a case of "refinement". They made it clear in the sales process that if we did not use the impressions kit properly that would be used to make the aligners then we would have to pay for a new kit. Understandable. Those are $50. However their licensed dental experts approved the impressions and treatment plan without any reservations. Which they also admit. This means that the defect arose in fabrication. That is the company's responsibility. Not the customer's fault. I am not liable for a company's mistakes.

Avoid this company if you need aligners. You will save yourself a lot of time and frustration. You are effectively financially punished for anything that goes wrong.

Alignerco offered me a refinement plan for $200.00 to achieve further movement. I was shown a treatment preview again, displaying my desired results. During the second treatment, I expressed my concern once again explaining that I didn’t think the aligners were tight enough to provide any movement. After finishing my refinement treatment, my gap is still there!

I contacted the company AGAIN to only be offered ANOTHER refinement plan for $150.00. I’ve already spent $1500.00 with Alignerco. At this point, I am extremely unsatisfied. Their lack of customer service is disappointing. They don’t provide you a way to contact a manager directly and when requested to speak to one it takes DAYS to get a response. Alignerco scams people of their money and provide unachievable results.

The good news is that in spite of the fact that the upper aligners 'hang off' my top front 4 teeth by about 3/16", they are working. (They look wonky which is disappointing as I have to wear them in public). This is pure luck that they are working. The company seems to be purely focused on making the dental appliances. That is all they do, no allowance made for any adjustments or issues. You get one set, and that's it. The company finally stopped asking me for feedback on the fit; haven't heard from them in a while. Are they still in business?