Updated on October 3, 2024
7 min read

SmilePath Review: Pros, Costs, & Cons (2024)

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Key Takeaways

  • SmilePath is a brand of at-home aligners in Australia
  • It can treat mild to moderate teeth misalignments
  • SmilePath treatments usually last for 4 to 6 months
  • It costs anywhere from AU$1,674 to AU$1,874

SmilePath is a fully remote aligner treatment that doesn’t require dental visits. Based in Newington, NSW, the company works with Australian dentists and orthodontists to evaluate each case, create personalised treatment plans, and monitor progress virtually via an app.

It stands out for its affordable prices. Even without discounts, you can save AU$600 to AU$1,500 compared to other at-home aligners. SmilePath also has 8 physical locations across Australia that offer in-person scans.

But we also know that convenience and affordability shouldn’t be the only factors to consider when choosing a clear aligner for your smile. In this review, we’ll explore SmilePath’s pros, cons, features, and costs. Our smile experts will also compare it with the best clear aligners in Australia.

Pros & Cons of SmilePath Aligners

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of SmilePath:

SmilePath Pros

  • The most affordable clear aligner in Australia
  • Fixes most cases of teeth misalignments
  • Can straighten teeth in as little as 4 months
  • Choose from daytime and night-only aligners
  • Offers single-arch and dual-arch treatments
  • Lets you start with impressions or a digital scan
  • Includes free teeth whitening and retainers
  • Convenient progress monitoring through an app
  • Has low-interest and no-deposit financing
  • Costs may be covered by dental insurance
  • People who don’t qualify can get a full refund
  • Includes free shipping within Australia
  • Customer service via phone, email, or chat

SmilePath Cons

  • Lack of dental visits can lead to unpredictable results
  • Cannot treat complex cases of crooked teeth
  • Limited physical locations across Australia
  • Doesn’t offer free refinements if you’re not satisfied
  • It isn’t covered by Medicare and some private insurers
  • Some users experienced poor customer service
  • Few customers complained of poor-quality aligners

SmilePath Treatments and Costs

SmilePath treats minor and moderate teeth misalignments (malocclusions) such as crowded teeth, gapped teeth, and some issues with bite.

The company offers daytime and nighttime aligners. When you purchase a kit, your treatment will include the following:

  • Impression kit
  • Smile Projection
  • All your clear aligners
  • A free set of retainers
  • Teeth whitening kit
  • Aligner Tracker app
  • Remote monitoring

You can also choose from single-arch and dual-arch aligners, so you have the option to straighten your whole smile or just your top or bottom teeth.

SmilePath All-Day Clear Aligners

Treatments with SmilePath’s daytime aligners last 4 to 6 months. You need to wear them for 20 to 22 hours per day for effective teeth straightening.

Single-Arch TreatmentDual-Arch Treatment
Treatment CostAU$1,295AU$1,674
Payment PlansHumm: AU$18/52 fortn (20% deposit)Zip: Starts at AU$58/18 mos (0% APR)Partial.ly: AU$100/6 mos (AU$500 upfront)Humm: AU$22/52 fortn (20% deposit)Zip: Starts at AU$75/18 mos (0% APR)Partial.ly: AU$200/6 mos (AU$500 upfront)

SmilePath NightOnly Clear Aligners

SmilePath’s nighttime treatment lasts 6 to 8 months. To get the results you want, you need to wear its night aligners for 8 to 10 straight hours daily.

Single-Arch TreatmentDual-Arch Treatment
Treatment CostAU$1,495AU$1,874
Payment PlansHumm: AU$20/52 fortn (20% deposit)Zip: Starts at AU$69/18 mos (0% APR)Partial.ly: AU$100/6 mos (AU$700 upfront)Humm: AU$25/52 fortn (20% deposit)Zip: Starts at AU$86/18 mos (0% APR)Partial.ly: AU$200/6 mos (AU$700 upfront)

SmilePath Kit First Plan

If you’re not ready to commit to SmilePath’s clear aligner treatment, you can purchase the impression kit for AU$75. The box will include:

  • Impression putty
  • Impression trays
  • Cheek extractor
  • Disposable gloves
  • Smile Projection

SmilePath’s dental team will review your impressions. If you qualify, a licensed dentist from Australia will create your Smile Projection and have you review it for approval and any changes you might request.

It’s basically your customised treatment plan and will include 3D images of your smile before and after you complete your journey. Those who don’t qualify will be refunded the full cost of the impression kit.

SmilePath Clear Retainers

After you complete the treatment, you’ll need to wear these retainers to keep your teeth aligned. Here are the prices:

  • AU$199 for one set (AU$199/pair)
  • AU$379 for two sets (AU$189/pair)
  • AU$529 for four sets (AU$132/pair)
  • AU$719 for eight sets (AU$90/pair)

We suggest buying retainers in sets of 8 to save money. Otherwise, maintaining your new smile will cost you more than most at-home brands.

Other SmilePath Products

The Newington-based company also offers other products that can go with your clear aligner treatment. Here are the costs:

  • Retainer case ⁠— AU$19.99
  • Teeth whitening kit — AU$65.99
  • Aligner cleaner + whitener — AU$39.99
  • SmilePath chewies — AU$19.99
  • Aligner puller — AU$19.99
  • Dental cheek retractor — AU$21.99

Does Insurance Cover SmilePath Aligners?

It depends on your dental insurance plan and your orthodontic coverage. 

If you have limited coverage, your insurer may cover a portion of the cost of your clear aligners. Those with comprehensive coverage may be covered for the aligners and other aspects of the treatment, including retainers.

Here are private insurance companies in Australia with orthodontic benefits:

  • Australian Health Management (AHM)
  • Australian Unity
  • Bupa
  • Commonwealth Bank Health Services (CBHS)
  • Defence Health
  • Frank Health Insurance
  • Goulburn Valley Health (GMHBA)
  • HBF (formerly Hospitals Benefit Fund of Western Australia)
  • Medibank
  • National Insurance Brokers (NIB)
  • Peoplecare
  • Qantas Insurance
  • Teacher’s Health

However, some types of dental insurance do not provide orthodontic coverage. So it’s best to ask your insurer about their policies. Medicare also doesn’t cover dental services like orthodontic treatments.

How Does SmilePath Work?

Here’s a step-by-step of SmilePath’s treatment process:

  • Step 1: Take the free online assessment or visit one of eight SmilePath Scan Centers in Australia for a free in-person consultation and digital scan.
  • Step 2: If you pass the online quiz, you can purchase the SmilePath Impression Kit or buy SmilePath’s clear aligners. But if you got an in-person scan, you can also go ahead with the treatment and make payments.
  • Step 3: Those who receive impression kits need to take molds of their teeth and send them back. If you opt for a scan, the clinic will send the digital scans for evaluation. SmilePath will review them to see if you’re qualified.
  • Step 4: If you qualify, an Australian-licensed dentist or orthodontist will create your custom treatment plan. It should be ready in 12 to 14 days.
  • Step 5: When your Smile Projection is ready, you can approve it or request some changes. When it’s final, you can make payments if you haven’t yet.
  • Step 6: Your provider will send your teeth impressions and scans to a dental laboratory, where your aligners are made. You’ll get them after 3 weeks.
  • Step 7: At home, you need to wear each aligner within the prescribed hours for at least 10 days before switching to the next tray in your system.
  • Step 8: Use the app to send progress photos to your provider every 2 weeks. They might ask you to wear a tray longer for better results.
  • Step 9: When your SmilePath treatment is complete, you can begin wearing the free retainer included with your kit to maintain your smile.

SmilePath vs. Best Clear Aligners in Australia

Here’s how they compare to other clear aligner companies in Australia:

Clear Aligner BrandTreated CasesAverage Treatment TimeHow To Start TreatmentTreatment MonitoringTreatment Cost
SmilePathMild to moderate4 to 6 monthsImpression kit or in-person visitRemoteAU$1,674 to AU$1,874
ByteMild to moderate4 to 6 monthsImpression kitRemoteAU$2,749 to AU$3,399
LineaMild to complex6 to 12 monthsIn-person visitRemoteAU$2,698 to AU$4,998
NewSmileMild to moderate4 to 10 monthsImpression kitRemoteAU$2,299
SmartSmileCoMild to complex9 to 15 monthsImpression kit or in-person visitRemote or in-person (for complex cases)AU$1,999 to AU$4,950
InvisalignMild to complex6 to 18 monthsIn-person visitIn-personAU$3,500 to AU$9,000

Should You Buy SmilePath?

We think SmilePath is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable way to fix minor teeth issues. It’s super convenient with no in-office dentist visits. You even get free teeth whitening!But SmilePath might not be ideal for everyone.  If you have moderately crooked teeth, consider clear aligners that offer free refinements for better value. That way, you can get the results you want without paying extra.

For people with complex dental issues and who want close supervision from a dentist, dental braces and in-office aligners may be better options. 

It’s always a good idea to chat with a dental professional if you’re unsure. They can help you decide what’s best for your smile.

Why Trust Our SmilePath Review?

We have a dedicated team of medical writers, expert researchers, licensed dental professionals, and medical reviewers who curate and approve content for NewMouth. Before publishing this article, our team:

  • Spent 18+ hours researching SmilePath’s treatment process
  • Scanned hundreds of customer reviews on Smilepath
  • Consulted dental professionals and industry experts
  • Reviewed 20+ studies to see if aligners are safe and effective
  • Compared SmilePath to other aligner treatments we tried
  • Asked in-house dentists to fact-check our review for accuracy

Last updated on October 3, 2024
10 Sources Cited
Last updated on October 3, 2024
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
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  2. Your Medicare Coverage: Dental Services.” Medicare.
  3. Clear Aligners for Straighter Teeth At Home.” SmilePath.
  4. Frequently Asked Questions About Clear Aligners.” SmilePath.
  5. Custom SmilePath Retainers.” SmilePath.
  6. Locations—SmilePath Australia.” SmilePath.
  7. Fraser, M. “Top 10 Health Insurance Companies in Australia 2022.” Comparing Expert, 2022.
  8. Ke, Y. et al. “A comparison of treatment effectiveness between clear aligner and fixed appliance therapies.” BMC Oral Health, 2019.
  9. Weir, T. “Clear Aligners in Orthodontic Treatment.” Wiley Online Library, 2017.
  10. Wexler, A. et al. “Direct-to-Consumer Orthodontics: Surveying the User Experience.” The Journal of the American Dental Association, 2020.
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