SmileDirectClub Australia Review

What is SmileDirectClub?

SmileDirectClub is a clear aligner company that offers remote teeth straightening at an affordable price. 

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.

SmileDirectClub was founded in the US in 2014. It is the oldest at-home aligner company and has since expanded to other countries, including Australia. 

Notice: SmileDirectClub filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 29, 2023. The company plans to "maintain normal operations" as it restructures debts and seeks a buyer or funding. The founders invested $20 million and committed more to ensure SmileDirectClub can meet commitments without disruption. However, successful reorganization is not guaranteed.

Treatment with SmileDirectClub can address the following:

• Crowding
• Gapped teeth
• Other minor bite issues

SmileDirectClub treatment can resolve these conditions in 4 to 6 months on average.This is much faster than Invisalign, which can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months.

Note: SmileDirectClub also offers nighttime aligners. Aside from extending treatment time (10 months), we at NewMouth have safety concerns regarding nighttime treatment. 

For those with mild teeth misalignment, SmileDirectClub treatment can be a convenient, cost-effective alternative to Invisalign or traditional braces.

SDC is the oldest at-home aligner company, with thousands of online reviews.

Treatment costs $2,825 and lasts up to 6 months. Since everything is remote, we only recommend SDC for mild cases.

How Does SmileDirectClub Work?

There are two ways to start treatment:

1. Book an appointment at a SmileShop (physical studio) with a licensed dentist or orthodontist.
2. Have a SmileBox impression kit delivered to your home.

If you visit a physical location, a trained dentist or orthodontist will take a 3D scan of your bite. We recommend this option to minimize the chance for errors.

SmileShops are available in the following Australian cities:

• Adelaide
• Brisbane
• Epping
• Melbourne
• Parramatta
• Perth
• Sydney 

If you can’t make it to a SmileShop, here’s how you can begin treatment remotely:

1. Order an impression kit online.
2. Once the kit arrives, take impressions of your teeth and send them back.
3. An Australian dentist or orthodontist will review your impressions and determine if you’re a suitable candidate for treatment. 
4. If they approve you, they will create a series of aligners for each stage of your treatment plan. You’ll be asked if you want to make any refinements. Next, you’ll submit payment for treatment. 
5. The entire series of aligners will be sent to your door.

Once you receive your aligners, you’ll wear them for 22 hours a day, changing them out weekly. You can remove them to eat, drink, brush and floss your teeth, or play an instrument or sport. 

You’ll take part in virtual check-ins on a regular basis so your dentist or orthodontist can check your treatment progress. Total treatment time can vary but is usually between 4 to 6 months.

How Much Does SmileDirectClub Cost?

A one-time payment for SmileDirectClub aligners costs $2,825. This is around the middle range for at-home aligners. Yet, it is still significantly more affordable than braces or Invisalign.

You can also finance treatment. SmileDirectClub offers a payment plan called SmilePay. After making a $299 down payment, you can then finance treatment for $119 per month. There’s no credit check required.

Additional costs include:

• Impression kit ($79)
• SmileShop Scan ($79)
• Aftercare retainer ($165)

Note: If the dentist or orthodontist does not find you suitable for treatment, you’ll receive a refund for the cost of the impression kit or scan.

Does Insurance Cover SmileDirectClub?

The sort of treatment SmileDirectClub aligners provide is considered cosmetic. Because of that, most private insurance plans do not cover it up-front. This means it is also ineligible for cost reimbursement.

SmileDirectClub does accept payment with HSA or FSA. 

SmileDirectClub Costs vs. Other At-Home Aligner Brands

Here’s how the cost of SmileDirectClub stacks up against other clear aligner companies in Australia:

SmileDirectClub 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 — this is 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.

SmileDirectClub  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.

Notable 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.

SmileDirectClub 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.

EZ Smile has:

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

To begin treatment with EZ Smile, 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.

SmileDirectClub 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 issue(s). It’s a good option for minor teeth alignment problems.

Pros of SmileDirectClub

• Treatment costs 60% less than braces
• Two ways to begin treatment
• Accepts HSA and FSA
• Includes free whitening treatment
• Refunds scan or impressions costs if you are not a good treatment candidate
• Dentist or orthodontist designs and monitors treatment

Cons of SmileDirectClub

• Not the most affordable at-home aligner option
• Entirely remote monitoring means treatment may be less precise than in-office treatment
• No refunds on aligners (only the impression kit)
• Night aligner option is a safety concern (learn why)

SmileDirectClub vs. Invisalign: What Are the Differences?

There are several important differences between SmileDirectClub and Invisalign:

At-Home vs. In-Office Treatment

SmileDirectClub is an at-home clear aligner company. That means treatment can be done entirely from the comfort of your home, from taking impressions to check-ups. 

Invisalign is an in-office aligner. This means in-person consultations and check-ups are required.

Treatment involves a visit to the dentist or orthodontist every 6 weeks to check progress and receive new aligners. This is inconvenient for many people.

The added convenience of remote monitoring is one reason many people choose at-home aligners like SmileDirectClub. However, in-person treatment allows for more precision.

Affordability

Treatment with SmileDirectClub costs $2,825, making it much more affordable than Invisalign. 

By contrast, the cost of Invisalign in Australia is between $4,000 and $9,000 on average, depending on your location and provider’s expertise.

SmileDirectClub is also 60% less expensive than traditional braces.

For minor teeth alignment issues, SmileDirectClub is an affordable alternative to Invisalign.

Fast Treatment Times

SmileDirectClub treatment can fix minor teeth misalignment in 4 to 6 months. 

Invisalign treatment can be as fast as 6 months but generally ranges between 12 to 18 months. Sometimes it takes up to 24 months.

Variety of Treatable Issues

SmileDirectClub treats a more limited set of issues than Invisalign. 

On the other hand, Invisalign is better for moderate to severe alignment issues.

For mild spacing or crowding issues, SmileDirectClub may be a good option. However, Invisalign treats a much wider range of teeth alignment issues.