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Invisalign Australia is a system of clear aligners to straighten teeth. It’s the Australian branch of the international brand Invisalign.
Since its introduction to Australia in 2007, Invisalign has treated over 1.4 million people, becoming the nation’s market leader in clear aligner treatment.
Invisalign is our #1 recommendation because they provide comprehensive, in-person care and can treat more severe cases of teeth misalignment. Treatment can cost up to $9,000 and lasts an average of 12 to 18 months.
Invisalign uses transparent plastic trays that apply gentle pressure to reposition teeth slowly. It’s an effective alternative to braces.
Invisalign involves supervision from a dentist and wearing your plastic trays as directed. The process looks like this:
Before you start the process, you can preview your new smile after Invisalign treatment using Invisalign’s SmileView tool. Open their SmileView webpage with your mobile phone, upload a smiling selfie, and see your potential results.
Invisalign can fix minor to severe dental issues, including:
While Invisalign is an excellent treatment for many misalignment issues, it’s not appropriate for everything.
Invisalign isn’t adequate for treating:
People with prior dental work, such as bridges, veneers, and crowns, may not be the best candidates for Invisalign.
On average, Invisalign treatment takes between 12 to 18 months. However, your treatment time will depend on several factors, including:
People generally report positive results and high satisfaction from their Invisalign treatment. However, scientific research on Invisalign’s success rate remains limited.
While more studies will need to determine its success rate, at least one concluded that Invisalign was more effective than other aligners.5
Potential problems patients may run into when using Invisalign are:
Discomfort or trouble talking should typically subside after your mouth gets used to your aligners. If such issues continue long-term, contact your doctor. You may need to have new aligners made.
On average, Invisalign Australia costs between $4,500 and $9,000.
What you pay depends on your treatment length, location, and the Invisalign provider. You may also be required to pay extra for aftercare retainers.
Some insurance plans will cover all or part of Invisalign if it’s medically necessary. However, it depends on the details of your plan. Consult your insurance provider and dentist to learn whether Invisalign qualifies for coverage.
Medicare considers clear aligner treatment primarily cosmetic, making coverage for Invisalign Australia unlikely. You might want to talk to your dentist about braces if you need Medicare coverage.
However, there is a government rebate available for those whose medical expenses exceed $1,500.1
If you don’t have or qualify for insurance coverage, you may have alternative financing options.
Many dental offices have a payment plan you can use to pay for treatment. With a payment plan, you’ll make monthly installments for an agreed-upon period. Whether the plan requires a deposit and interest depends on your dentist’s policies.
You may also be able to use an FSA (flexible spending account) or HSA (health savings account) to pay for your Invisalign. Other loans or lines of credit may be available. The amount you can take out will depend on your credit score.
Discuss your options with the dentist you’ll be using for Invisalign.
Invisalign may or may not be the right treatment for you. Compare the positive and negative aspects of Invisalign to help you decide.
The advantages of Invisalign include:
Some drawbacks to consider are:
Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces, a common orthodontic appliance. Comparing the two may help you decide which one makes sense for you.
Metal braces are a series of wires and brackets attached to your teeth. They straighten teeth and correct bites by applying force, just like Invisalign.
Unlike clear aligners, braces are noticeable. Invisalign is much more subtle in appearance, with the aligners being virtually invisible.
The cost of Invisalign ranges from $4,500 to $9,000, depending on various factors. Traditional metal braces cost between $3,000 and $7,000.
Metal braces are more affordable and likely qualify for insurance coverage.
Invisalign takes between 12 to 18 months. Traditional metal braces treatment can last from 12 to 36 months.
The time for either orthodontic treatment depends on many factors, including the complexity of what’s being treated.
Either Invisalign or traditional metal braces can be an effective orthodontic treatment. Each process is supervised and facilitated by trained dental professionals.
Metal braces are fixed to your teeth, meaning you can’t remove them. Invisalign is removable, so it’s easier to misplace the trays. Non-compliance makes treatment less effective and might take longer.
Aside from Invisalign, most other clear aligners in Australia are at-home aligners.
There are a couple of significant differences that set Invisalign apart from other brands:
Invisalign Australia is an in-office aligner company. All Invisalign treatment begins in and is monitored by an orthodontic or dental practice.
At-home aligners allow treatment with minimal or no visits to the dentist’s or orthodontist’s office. This may be convenient for those with minor teeth alignment problems but leaves more margin for error.
Byte is a popular at-home aligner company known for its fast treatment times and robust customer service. They’ve been in Australia since 2020 and have some unique features.
Some highlights of Byte treatment include:
Treatment with Byte costs between $2,749 and $3,399, depending on your plan. You can also finance treatment.
Byte’s fast treatment times and remote monitoring might make it a good option for mild cases.
WonderSmile is an Australian-based at-home aligner company. You can start treatment with an in-person consultation or order an impression kit.
Some features of WonderSmile include:
WonderSmile treatment takes 6 to 9 months, depending on your teeth alignment issues. WonderSmile daytime aligner treatment costs $2,390 as a one-time payment.
Because treatment is primarily remote, WonderSmile is a good Invisalign alternative for mild teeth alignment issues.
SmileDirectClub pioneered at-home aligner treatment, first introducing the idea in 2014. They started operating in Australia in 2019 and have treated over one million people.
The brand’s most valuable features include:
SmileDirectClub treatment costs $2,825 and takes 6 months (on average). We recommend it for mild cases of teeth misalignment.
EZ Smile distinguishes itself by its affordable price and having the most financing options of any at-home aligner. Two of these four are interest-free.
Other facts about EZ Smile include:
To begin treatment with EZ Smile, you can book a scan at a physical location or order an impression kit. Treatment takes 4 to 8 months and costs an average of $2,449.
SmilePath is known for its highly affordable treatment and excellent customer service.
Some features of SmilePath include:
At $1,899, SmilePath is the most affordable option on this list. Treatment takes between 4 to 6 months, depending on the issues. It’s a budget-friendly option for minor teeth alignment problems.
Invisalign Australia is a system of clear aligners that straighten teeth and adjust bite issues. Treatment typically lasts 12 to 18 months and costs between $4,500 and $9,000.
We recommend Invisalign over at-home clear aligners for mild to moderate bite issues. You’ll work with a dentist or orthodontist throughout the treatment period. They’ll scan your mouth, approve you for the treatment, and monitor your progress.
Invisalign is a great choice if you know you’ll wear them the required 22+ hours a day. Wearing them inconsistently can lead to longer treatment times and less effective results. Talk to your dentist to see if Invisalign is right for you.
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