The patent comes as the company plans to slowly reopen its SmileShops around the world following closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

SmileDirectClub has received a patent for its SmileShop intellectual property from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. According to the company, the patent—U.S. Patent No. 10,636,522—“further strengthens the telehealth dentistry pioneer’s efforts” and ensures that no clear aligner competitor will be able to duplicate SmileDirectClub’s model for 18 years. 

“This patent designation is a significant validation of our unique customer-oriented care model, and expands our category ownership, including the manufacturing and retail experience,” said David Katzman, CEO of SmileDirectClub. “SmileDirectClub is continually seeking to improve the affordability and accessibility of oral care for consumers. As the industry pioneer and inventor of the SmileShop concept, this patent is recognition that SmileDirectClub offers an innovative way for consumers to access oral care that is safe, doctor-directed and convenient. We look forward to welcoming customers back to our SmileShops at the earliest and safest possible time.”

The patent encompasses the SmileShop concept and process, including scheduling of an appointment at a SmileShop, sending the scheduling confirmation to the customer, conducting the intraoral scan, generating a treatment plan, receiving approval of the treatment plan by a licensed dentist or orthodontist, producing aligners in accordance with the treatment plan, and sending those aligners to the customer. 

“We are focused on the entire teeth straightening and care process, and we now own the manufacturing process of our clear aligner products, the customer experience via our teledentistry platform, as well as the retail experience for clear aligner therapy,” said Katzman. “This patent is another step in our process as we continue to grow and protect our business.”

The company also announced it is making plans to slowly reopen its SmileShops beginning in May in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland as local governments begin to lift business restrictions related to COVID-19. 

After its shops temporarily closed in March, SmileDirectClub, one of North America’s largest 3D printing manufacturers, dedicated some of its capacity to producing 3D printed personal protective equipment (PPE) to help in the fight against COVID-19. The company has shipped more than 40,000 face shields to medical organizations, elder care facilities, dentists and orthodontists during this time, and will supply all of its SmileShop team members with face shields and other PPE along with staggered appointment times, temperature scans and other social distancing measures to ensure a safe, sanitary experience upon reopening.

The patent protection of SmileDirectClub’s retail experience comes as the company has made its clear aligner therapy solution available to dental professionals to use in their in-office practices.