Invisalign Australia Review

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign Australia is a system of clear aligners. It’s aimed at Australian consumers and is identical to the original Invisalign in every way.

Clear aligners are transparent plastic trays that apply gentle pressure to slowly reposition teeth. They're an effective alternative to traditional braces for most teeth misalignment issues.

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 12 to 18 months, on average. We recommend Invisalign for almost all mild to severe cases.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Here’s how Invisalign works:

1. Invisalign treatment begins with a (usually free) in-person consultation with an Invisalign-trained dentist or orthodontist. During this consultation, your dentist or orthodontist will digitally scan your teeth. They'll then design a personalized treatment plan for you.
2. Next, they will make a series of clear aligners based on both your current and desired teeth alignment. Over time, these aligners will slowly move your teeth into their correct positions.
3. You'll wear your Invisalign aligners for 22+ hours per day, only removing them to eat, drink, brush, or floss. The aligners will straighten your teeth by 0.25 to 0.3 millimeters every 2 weeks.³
4. After two weeks, you’ll return to your dentist or orthodontist for a check-up appointment. They’ll review your treatment progress, and you’ll receive your remaining sets of Invisalign aligners. 
5. After that, appointments are every 6 to 8 weeks, and you’ll continue switching your aligners every 2 weeks.
6. After treatment ends, you’ll wear a retainer at night to keep your teeth straight.

What Orthodontic Issues Can Invisalign Fix?

Invisalign can fix minor to severe bite alignment issues.

These include:

• Crowded teeth
• Crooked teeth 
• Gapped teeth
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Open bites 

Depending on the severity of the issues, Invisalign treatment can take between 12 to 18 months. For minor issues (such as mild crowding or gapped teeth), treatment may be as short as 3 months.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

Invisalign Australia cost varies depending on treatment length, your location, and your Invisalign Australia provider. 

On average, Invisalign Australia costs between $4,500 and $9,000. Many Invisalign Australia providers offer ways to finance treatment. Some are even interest-free.

Is Invisalign Covered by Medicare?

Medicare considers clear aligner treatment to be primarily cosmetic, making coverage for Invisalign Australia unlikely. However, there is a government rebate available for those whose medical expenses exceed $1,500.¹

Invisalign vs. At-Home Aligners: What Are the Differences?

Aside from Invisalign, most other clear aligners in Australia are at-home aligners. 

There are a couple of important differences that set Invisalign apart from them:

At-Home vs. In-Office Treatment

Invisalign Australia is an in-office aligner company. What that means is that all treatment begins, and is monitored from, a dentist or orthodontist's office.` 

At-home aligners allow treatment to be done 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 Invisalign is more precise.

Invisalign vs Byte

Byte is a popular at-home aligner company known for its fast treatment times and strong customer service. They’ve been in Australia since 2020 and have some unique features.

Some highlights of Byte treatment include: 

• Fast treatment — Byte treatment takes between 3 to 6 months. This is among the fastest of all at-home aligners. 
• HyperByte — A proprietary device that uses high-frequency vibrations to straighten teeth quickly. Read about our concerns, here.
• Completely remote — The only way to begin treatment is to order a Byte impression kit.

Byte’s fast treatment times and remote monitoring might make it a good option for mild cases. Treatment with Byte costs between $2,749 and $3,399, depending on your plan. You can also finance treatment.

Invisalign vs WonderSmile

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:

• Interest-free financing
• Single arch treatment (with discounts)
• Orthodontists design your treatment (higher level of expertise involved)

WonderSmile treatment takes between 6 to 9 months, depending on your teeth alignment issues. WonderSmile daytime aligner treatment costs $2,690 as a one-time payment. 

Because treatment is mostly remote, WonderSmile is a good Invisalign alternative for mild teeth alignment issues.

Invisalign vs SmileDirectClub

SmileDirectClub pioneered at-home aligner treatment, first introducing the idea back in 2014. They started operating in Australia in 2019 and have since treated over one million people. 

Despite a lot of companies since entering the industry, SmileDirectClub still has some useful features, such as:

• More payment plans than competitors, two of which are interest-free
• Physical locations in multiple Australian cities
• Payment plans with no credit checks required

SmileDirectClub treatment costs $2,825 and takes 6 months on average. We recommend it for mild cases of teeth misalignment.

Invisalign vs EZ Smile

EZ Smile distinguishes itself by its affordable price and by having the most financing options of any at-home aligner. Two of these four are interest-free.

Other facts about EZ Smile include:

• The second-most affordable price of treatment of any Australian at-home aligner
• Over a dozen locations across Australia
• 90-day money-back guarantee

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 $2,149.

Invisalign vs SmilePath

SmilePath is known for its highly affordable treatment and excellent customer service. 

Some features of SmilePath include:

• Totally remote treatment (no physical locations)
• WorryFree Plan for 6 years of additional retainers
• Customer service available by phone, email, or chat

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 good option for minor teeth alignment problems.

Pros of Invisalign

• Well-established clear aligner brand
• Can fix a large variety of teeth alignment issues
• Discrete
• Removable
• Oral hygiene is easier than with braces
• No food restrictions
• Fewer appointments than with braces

Cons of Invisalign

• Can’t fix as many issues as braces
• Can be expensive
• Aligners being removable means treatment effectiveness depends on the patient wearing them