SmilePath Review – Are Their Invisible Teeth Aligners Worth It?

Your smile is one of your most prominent features – to the point that it can have a serotonin-producing effect on both your own psyche and those around you. But, unfortunately, most people aren’t born with flawless grins. Many of us have some degree of misalignment, and our teeth continue to shift with age. 

Thankfully, we’re living in an era with ultra-easy teeth straightening systems. You no longer need uncomfortable metal braces to align your teeth, and even Invisalign has been eclipsed by direct-to-consumer clear teeth aligner platforms in Australia and beyond. 

SmilePath is one of the leading Australian platforms offering invisible teeth aligners. Specifically, these are the kind of modern braces that don’t use metal, and instead shift your teeth with a series of plastic aligners that are custom fit to your mouth using an at-home impression kit. 

With low prices, high-quality materials, impressive results, and attentive customer service, it’s undoubtedly a legitimate option. But, there are other factors (as well as alternative teeth aligner options) to consider. It’s your smile, after all, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

Let’s dive right in and review SmilePath in-depth to see if it’s the right choice for you on the journey to straighter teeth. 

How to straighten your teeth from home without braces

Before considering SmilePath and everything that it has to offer, let’s first cover the basics of how invisible teeth aligners as a whole work. 

Invisible aligners straighten misaligned teeth, without the food restrictions and, shall we say, fashion statement of traditional braces. They’re also removable, which is more comfortable and discreet than traditional metal braces. 

If you opt for this treatment, you’ll receive a series of trays that gradually shift the position of the teeth. Generally, each tray moves the teeth just a few millimetres over the course of a week or two, after which you’ll move to the next tray. This requires wearing each tray for 22 to 24 hours per day. In general, this treatment lasts for approximately 6 to 12 months, which is a lot faster than traditional braces.

Note that you’ll need to take your clear aligners out to eat, as eating with them in could cause damage. Most dental professionals also recommend avoiding gum chewing with the aligners in, but these restrictions (in addition to many others) also apply to traditional (i.e. visible) braces, as well. 

Clear aligners require some basic care, including:

• Rinsing the aligners with lukewarm whenever you remove them to prevent bacterial buildup (hot or cold water could alter the fit of your aligners)
• Cleaning your aligners with gentle liquid soap and a soft-bristled toothbrush – never toothpaste!
• Brushing and flossing before putting in your aligners for the day
• Avoiding coloured drinks while you’re wearing the aligners

It’s true that invisible braces may not work in the most complex cases, but they’re a smart choice for standard tooth alignment in the vast majority of mouths. 

The invisalign low-down

Although Invisible teeth aligners are innovative, they aren’t exactly new. They’ve actually been around since 1997 and were popularized by a company called Invisalign, that dominated the industry for a decade or so.

While we have to give Invisalign props for being the first in the field, times have changed. Invisalign remains prohibitively expensive, requiring patients to go through a dentist for treatment and costing anywhere from $1,800 to $9,500.

Many of the patents that covered Invisalign’s design and manufacturing expired in 2017 and 2019. This has enabled the technology to proliferate, allowing consumers access to more affordable and convenient alternatives for invisible teeth straightening like SmilePath. 

SmilePath Review: What kind of aligners do they offer?

SmilePath is one of the leading providers of invisible teeth aligners in Australia, having helped thousands achieve a straight, beautiful smile in 4 to 6 months from the comfort of your home – all for a fraction of the cost of Invisalign!). 

Their team of orthodontic experts creates clear aligners with special BPA-free plastic for safety, helping customers achieve really impressive results. They offer several options for teeth straightening that we’ll outline below.

1. Clear aligners

Basically clear braces, SmilePath’s clear aligners are made for anyone over 12 years old. SmilePath will send you an impressions kit and from there, their dental experts will create a customized treatment plan of clear aligners for you to wear over the next few weeks. 

2. NightOnly aligners

If you’re not into the idea of wearing SmilePath aligners all day long, you’re in luck. SmilePath offers NightOnly clear aligners to straighten your teeth while you sleep.

This option involves a minimum of 8 to 10 hours of continuous wear per night. For reference, SmilePath’s Daytime aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day. NightOnly aligners work just like Daytime aligners, but require a longer treatment period (6 to 8 months).  

SmilePath Alternatives: How does it compare to other Australian teeth aligner options?

While SmilePath offers a reliable service, it isn’t the only convenient invisible aligner platform in Australia. It is, however, the most affordable by a long shot, as you’ll see below. Here’s how it stacks up against other top teeth aligner alternatives in Australia, such as Byte, WonderSmile, Smile Direct Club, and EZ Smile: