Wondersmile used to be one of our top-rated remote clear aligners providers in the Australian market. However, the company went into voluntary administration in Spring 2022, leaving many customers wondering what would happen to their treatment or refunds.
They’ve since reopened their virtual doors as “Dr. Wondersmile,” saying they’re ready to serve customers again. Despite the volatility of the company’s situation, we’re leaving our review up for reference. But considering the way they abandoned so many customers during their shutdown, we’d recommend you go with a different company for your clear aligner treatment.
Table of Contents
What’s Going On With Dr. Wondersmile?
In early June 2022, WonderSmile’s website went dark. Judging by their online reviews, this was a big surprise to their customers. Since then, Wondersmile’s Australian website got back up and running, but for a long time, it greeted users with a message saying it’s “currently undergoing process & system updates.” The company later apologized for the delays and assured customers that they’d get to all of their current orders.
Since then, this message has disappeared from their site. We learned Wondersmile had gone into voluntary administration, and customer reviews said the company was almost completely unresponsive for the second half of the year. Then, in December 2022, Wondersmile announced on Instagram and Facebook that under new ownership, they’d rebranded as “Dr. Wondersmile” and resumed their operations. They even responded to several customers who commented.
It’s too early to judge the effectiveness of this relaunch, but relaunching any company is difficult, so they’re still a risky bet. We will update this review as we learn more, but for now, we advise our readers to opt for a more reliable company for their at-home clear aligner treatment.
Dr. WonderSmile vs. Byte (Our #1-Ranked Provider)
Dr. Wondersmile used to be a reliable treatment option, but we don’t yet have a sense of what their future holds. The good news is that if you want the best value overall, Byte is a difficult provider to beat.
The best option for you depends on your specific goals, condition, and budget, but we think Byte’s efficiency and exceptional customer support make them a fantastic choice for almost anyone looking to make cosmetic teeth shifts. For a more detailed look at Byte, check out our in-depth review below.
What Is Dr. WonderSmile?
Before their closure, Dr. Wondersmile had numerous locations across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the U.K. But since their reopening, they only have a few. They ship personalized, Invisalign-esque aligners directly to your doorstep, which let you shift your teeth from home. These invisible aligners perfectly match the contours of your teeth, so you can wear them out confidently in public. Plus, unless you got a dental scan at one of their clinics, Dr. Wondersmile treatment doesn’t incorporate any office visits. Instead, their orthodontists design and monitor your treatment remotely.
Dr. Wondersmile is part of a crop of new teledentistry services like Byte and EZ Smile, so they aren’t the only option out there. However, their multiple wear schedules and payment options, along with their affordable prices, have made them a popular choice.
They’ve attempted to separate themselves from the pack by offering orthodontist-directed care and more flexible services, including various physical locations, different payment plans, and nighttime-only treatment.
Like other home-based clear aligner products, Dr. Wondersmile is primarily a cosmetic treatment. Their aligners can only correct mild-to-moderate cases of spacing and crowding, along with some minor bite conditions.
Dr. WonderSmile Pros & Cons
Before their shutdown and reopening, Dr. Wondersmile offered effective, quality treatment. However, when you take their current circumstances into account — as well as reviews from their customers detailing poor communication and long stretches of radio silence — it’s clear that their standing has changed.
We base our clear aligner provider evaluations on a comprehensive five-point comparison of each company’s effectiveness, affordability, convenience, appearance, and customer support. Here, we’ve outlined Dr. Wondersmile’s primary advantages and disadvantages. Just keep in mind that they might change with the company’s new brand and management.
Dr. WonderSmile Pros
- Dr. Wondersmile offers a nighttime-only treatment alternative called NightClear that requires just ten hours of overnight wear (instead of the 22 hours required by traditional treatment).
- Dr. Wondersmile’s team has historically only included orthodontists, putting the expertise of highly specialized professionals behind every treatment.
- Dr. Wondersmile once had 20 clinics across Australia where you could get your teeth scanned. However, only four locations remain, and they no longer offer impression kits.
- If your crowding or spacing condition is confined to teeth on only one arch (top or bottom), you can get aligners for just that arch for a reduced rate.
- Their one-year guarantee provides refinements for free, as long as you wear and replace your retainers as directed.
Dr. Wondersmile Cons
- Dr. Wondersmile doesn’t include a set of aftercare retainers in the cost of your treatment, and although they used to sell them for $99, they don’t anymore.
- At $2,490, Dr. Wondersmile’s pricing is about average for at-home aligners, but far more affordable than in-office treatments like Invisalign.
- Unlike in-office options, which can correct a wide range of severe misalignments, Dr. Wondersmile can only treat mild and moderate cases of crowding and spacing.
- Dr. Wondersmile has received a high volume of negative customer reviews since their shutdown.
So, Do the Pros Outweigh the Cons?
When Dr. Wondersmile was at their peak? Definitely. However, because of their uncertain future, we no longer feel comfortable recommending Dr. Wondersmile.
Thankfully, there are many other reputable at-home clear aligner providers in Australia to choose from. Take a look at our comparison of the top four remote clear aligner providers before making your decision.
Effectiveness
Orthodontic treatment is an investment, so you don’t want to dive in without being sure that it can deliver the results you’re after.
Home aligners are typically only effective for mild-to-moderate cases of crowding and spacing, and Dr. Wondersmile is no different. If you have a more severe condition, like a jaw misalignment, an in-office treatment like Invisalign is probably a better match for your needs.
By requiring regular photo check-ins, Dr. Wondersmile can help your treatment stay on track.
Every month throughout treatment, Dr. Wondersmile requires customers to upload photos of their teeth to a patient portal so that their team can make sure everything is progressing as expected.
That oversight isn’t as robust as the office visits you’d get with Invisalign, but it still allows Dr. Wondersmile’s team to monitor your progress and watch for any potential problems. Straight Teeth Direct, SmileDirectClub, and PlusDent have similar monitoring procedures, which help to keep your treatment on track.
It’s unclear who manufactures Dr. Wondersmile aligners.
Even a perfect treatment plan can fall short if the products are faulty or ineffective. That’s why some at-home clear aligner companies promote their partnerships with established, widely trusted manufacturers. However, Dr. Wondersmile doesn’t say who makes their products, just that they’re FDA-approved manufacturers in the USA and Germany.
That makes it somewhat difficult to evaluate their product quality. The results we’ve seen in online reviews suggest that they have consistent and reliable manufacturing practices, but we can’t say for sure.
Dr. Wondersmile cuts their aligners straight across (rather than trimmed to match the gum line), which makes them more powerful.
Some companies trim their aligners to match your gum line while others, like Dr. Wondersmile, cut them straight across the top. There are advantages to each method.
When applying in-office clear aligner treatments like Invisalign, dentists often place attachments on the teeth, holding the aligners in place. This is how Invisalign trays exert significant force, even though they’re trimmed to follow the gumline.
Since a dentist needs to install these attachments in person, fully remote treatments can’t use them. This might seem like a drawback, but in some ways, it’s actually an advantage. Straight-cut aligners use the gums as an anchor to apply more force than scalloped aligners, no attachments necessary. However, many people prefer the appearance of scalloped aligners because there isn’t any plastic covering your gums.
The accuracy of in-person teeth scans and the expertise of their dental team have given Dr. Wondersmile’s a track record of effectiveness (at least before they shut down), although it would be nice to know who produces their aligners.
Affordability
The high price tag for braces and Invisalign long made teeth alignment a substantial financial burden, which is why adults have recently gravitated toward home aligner services. Invisalign might cost you $4,500–$9,000, while Dr. Wondersmile costs much less. Compared to their at-home competitors, however, they’re just slightly better than average.
Dr. Wondersmile’s treatment costs $2,490 (or $2,590 for NightClear treatment), which is just average for mail-order clear aligners.
This sticker price covers the cost of your teeth scan, treatment plan, clear aligners, and monthly oversight. It doesn’t, however, cover your aftercare retainers. Dr. Wondersmile once sold retainers for $99 per set, but they no longer have them for sale on their website.
Dr. Wondersmile offers no-interest financing plans.
If you can’t pay the sticker price in one go, Dr. Wondersmile has financing plans that break it into smaller payments. And they don’t include interest, so you’ll pay the same amount you would if you paid for everything upfront. The only downside is that their plans require a credit check, so not everyone qualifies.
You won’t receive many free extras with your aligners.
Some at-home aligner services include free whitening products, retainers, and other bonus items with their treatment, but not Dr. Wondersmile. Your treatment plan and aligners are the only things you’ll get. They’ve previously sold whitening separately for $149 and retainers for $99 per set, but neither is currently available on their website.
If you only need treatment on one arch, you can get a discount.
Some people only have crowding/spacing in their top or bottom teeth. If Dr. Wondersmile determines that you only need treatment for one arch (and that it won’t affect your bite), you’ll get $500 off your treatment.
Clear aligner treatment isn’t cheap, but Dr. Wondersmile has taken steps to mitigate the impact on your wallet. They’re still not cheap, but their financing plan makes their prices more reasonable.
Convenience
Aside from the cost, one of the biggest barriers to pursuing a more comfortable smile is the time commitment of traditional orthodontics. Let’s face it: you’re busy. On top of work, sport, and study, you’ve got a social life to maintain. And when you find a precious bit of free time, you probably don’t want to spend it at the dentist’s office. If you choose home aligners, you won’t have to.
Home aligner companies cut office visits completely out of the equation. And you’ll likely see your final results in 6–9 months, compared to Invisalign’s twelve-month timeline and the average 18 months that braces require.
Dr. Wondersmile has traditionally gone above and beyond to make treatment easy for their customers too, but their new management may or may not decide to keep those procedures in place.
Dr. Wondersmile’s clinics make it super easy to get your treatment started — but there aren’t many.
Most at-home teeth straightening companies sell impression kits that allow customers to make moulds of their teeth at home. Remote dental teams use these moulds to evaluate your smile and create your treatment plan, so they have to be very accurate, which is difficult if you’ve never used an impression kit before.
Dr. Wondersmile is an outlier, though, because they don’t currently sell impression kits. Instead, you’ll need to visit one of their clinics for a teeth scan. While these scans are often easier than using an impression kit, Dr. Wondersmile doesn’t have many office locations. They once had 20 clinics across Australia, but since their hiatus and subsequent rebranding, that number has dwindled to just four. So if you’re not in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth, you might need to consider other companies.
Start to finish, treatment takes 6–9 months on average.
From the day you insert your first aligner until you see your ideal smile in the mirror is typically around six months. And if you chose the NightClear option, it’s more like nine.
A six-month timeline is fairly average for home aligner treatment, so Dr. Wondersmile is just as fast as most other options.
They don’t include teeth whitening as part of your treatment.
As we mentioned, some at-home clear aligner companies will throw in free whitening products when you purchase aligners so you can straighten and whiten your smile simultaneously. Dr. Wondersmile, however, does not. If you want to make your teeth sparkle, they previously sold their $149 kit separately on their website, but it’s currently unavailable.
Dr. Wondersmile’s retail locations streamlined their startup process, and their treatment times were on par with most of their at-home competitors.
Appearance
When it comes to teeth straightening treatments, most adults agree: the less visible, the better. They don’t want to attend business meetings, dates, or special occasions sporting visible metal brackets. Aligner companies pride themselves on their discreet products, so all clear aligners tend to excel aesthetically, and Dr. Wondersmile is no exception.
While all clear aligners use medical-grade, BPA-free plastic, variations in manufacturing processes cause each brand to look slightly different. Consider your specific tastes and style as you evaluate each one.
Dr. Wondersmile crafts their aligners with smooth, transparent plastic.
Dr. Wondersmile believes clear aligners should be 100% transparent, which is a logical conclusion. After all, you want them to be invisible, right? So, their aligners are completely clear instead of slightly textured or “frosted” like SmileDirectClub or Invisalign. It might seem counterintuitive, but textured aligners are often less visible than smooth, clear ones because they better match the natural surfaces of your teeth.
Your teeth are porous and appear matte rather than completely smooth and shiny, so smooth aligners can make them seem artificially reflective. But everyone has a different style and some people actually like the way these aligners add a little gleam to their smiles.
They also cut their aligners straight across, which made them slightly more noticeable.
In the “Effectiveness” section, we mentioned that Dr. Wondersmile cuts their aligners straight across at the top (instead of scalloping them to follow the gum line), which affects their appearance and effectiveness. Some people may notice where your aligners and gums overlap, but most customers don’t find straight-cut aligners to be significantly more visible than scalloped ones.
Dr. Wondersmile aligners can’t incorporate attachments, maintaining their low profile.
One reason Invisalign and other in-office aligners can treat such severe misalignments is because they can incorporate attachments like elastics or buttons that they affix to your teeth. These attachments make them a lot more powerful, but also more visible.
Dentists can only place attachments during office visits, so remote companies like Dr. Wondersmile can’t use them. But that also means there are no extra bumps or hardware on your teeth.
Like most clear aligners, you need to remove your Dr. Wondersmile aligners before eating and drinking to avoid stains.
All clear aligners are susceptible to food and beverage stains — that’s why it’s important to remove them before eating or drinking anything besides water. Dr. Wondersmile aligners are reasonably stain-resistant, although we certainly wouldn’t recommend drinking coffee, red wine, or other dark liquids while wearing them.
Dr. Wondersmile’s smooth, straight-cut aligners are much more discreet than braces, but slightly more visible than aligners from other companies.
Customer Experience
When you choose at-home aligner treatment, you’ll work directly with the company, not a specific dentist like you would with Invisalign. So you want a company who will treat you right — provide helpful answers, address your concerns, and deliver on their promises.
In-office treatment is the gold standard for customer care, since you have face-to-face interactions with dentists and staff who know you personally. Even though it’s hard for remote services to match that individualization, Dr. Wondersmile once delivered a supportive, personalized customer experience. But after they shut down and stopped responding to customers in 2022, we’ve yet to see them regain that kind of service.
Dr. Wondersmile’s customer service used to be prompt and helpful, but now customers struggle to receive responses to time-sensitive questions.
Currently, Dr. WonderSmile’s website offers a form you can submit if you have an enquiry. They used to claim they’d get back to customers within 24 hours, but their reviews feature many customers who report much longer wait times, and they’ve since removed this claim from their website. Since their grand reopening, we’ve seen them responding to commenters on Instagram, but some customers are still reporting delayed or non-existent communication.
During your treatment, you needed to submit monthly photos of your teeth. That way, the WonderSmile team can identify and address potential problems before they escalate enough to derail your treatment. However, these aren’t one-on-one conversations with your doctor where you can ask questions.
Wondersmile provides refinements if you’re unhappy with your results, and they put a one-year guarantee on your new smile.
Even after reading positive online reviews, you might have that nagging thought at the back of your mind: what if it doesn’t work? It’s a common concern, but one that Dr. Wondersmile says they can address with refunds, refinements, and a year-long warranty.
Sometimes teeth just don’t move as expected. If by the end of your treatment you haven’t achieved the smile shown in your initial treatment preview, Dr. Wondersmile says they’ll provide free refinement aligners to finish the job. This is assuming that you followed your wear instructions carefully and completed all your required photo check-ins.
The company also says they’ll protect your smile even after you finish your treatment. Their one-year guarantee provides new aligners if your teeth shift out of place after your treatment ends — as long as you wear and replace your retainers as directed.
Just keep in mind that customers say Dr. Wondersmile hasn’t been honoring their refund or refinement policies since they shut down in 2022, even after reopening.
Even though they can’t match the personalization of in-office care, Dr. Wondersmile’s support team used to receive excellent reviews — although their more recent reviews have been almost universally negative.
What Are Dr. Wondersmile Customers Saying?
If you judge Dr. Wondersmile by the reviews they received prior to June 2022, their customers seemed to feel positively about their experiences.
Customers were often pleased with the company’s excellent customer support, as well as their product quality and convenient teeth scan appointments. Before June 2022, Dr. Wondersmile’s negative reviews were few and far between, and the complaints seemed like isolated incidents.
Since then, however, many customers have written reviews detailing the problems that Dr. WonderSmile’s sudden, months-long silence caused them. Many paid for treatment upfront and never received their aligners, others felt confused how to proceed with their treatments in progress, and some worried their teeth would move out of position during their failed attempts to order aftercare retainers.
These frustrations are completely understandable. If you pay for a treatment or product, you expect to receive it. And if you don’t, you would at least expect to get a clear explanation and a refund.
Dr. Wondersmile has responded to a few of these reviews; but these responses were just echoes of the message that was on their site — which hardly inspires confidence that their customers are getting personalized attention and care. It’s possible that those customers received a more encouraging response after the company reopened, but we haven’t seen that happen yet.
The good news is that some customers were able to get refunds through their bank. Dr. Wondersmile’s website claimed they’d get to all their outstanding orders, but it appears they haven’t fulfilled that promise yet.
Dr. Wondersmile vs. Invisalign
Dr. Wondersmile’s regular oversight goes a long way, but they still can’t match the effectiveness of Invisalign and other in-office treatments. Invisalign requires regular office visits, during which a dentist or orthodontist can adjust your aligner plan and implement attachments (like buttons and elastics) that induce more powerful tooth and jaw movements.
But this added effectiveness comes at a higher price, and Invisalign customers often pay thousands more than they would for at-home clear aligners. Still, if you have a bite misalignment or more severe crowding or spacing, Invisalign might be a better option.
Dr. Wondersmile vs. Other At-Home Clear Aligners
Dr. Wondersmile might be experiencing a rough patch, but thankfully, there are other at-home and in-office options to consider. Invisalign is the primary in-office option, and while it’s more expensive than at-home clear aligners, it allows dentists to add special appliances and achieve more advanced teeth movements. There are also several other at-home teeth straightening options worth exploring, especially if you prioritize affordability and convenience.
Byte vs. Dr. Wondersmile
Byte stands out for their innovation. They offer treatment plans that average 4–5 months, thanks in part to their HyperByte device, which can encourage faster dental shifts for some customers. They also have a nighttime-only option and a lifetime guarantee. Plus, they assign each customer with a personal Byte advisor who can field questions throughout treatment. They don’t have any retail stores or remote oversight, but they’re a highly efficient, convenient option.
Find out more about Byte in our complete review.
EZ Smile vs. Dr. Wondersmile
If you’re on a tight budget (or just love great deals) EZ Smile might be a good choice. Their $2,499 price nearly matches Dr. Wondersmile, and is hundreds lower than some competitors.
Plus, they offer flexible financing plans and a 90-day money-back guarantee (minus treatment planning costs). They don’t have a nighttime-only option, but anyone looking for an affordable treatment should consider EZ Smile.
Get to know EZ Smile a little better in our comprehensive review.
SmileDirectClub vs. Dr. Wondersmile
SmileDirectClub stands out as the largest and most popular at-home clear aligner brand, and they’ve got retail locations all across Australia. Plus, they’re the most experienced home aligner company, having transformed more than 1.5 million smiles so far. Between their scanning locations, nighttime-only treatment option, and regular remote oversight, it’s hard to find a more convenient clear aligner provider than SmileDirectClub.
Get to know SmileDirectClub a little better in our comprehensive review.
SmilePath vs. Dr. Wondersmile
At just $1,674, SmilePath’s aligners are among the most affordable you’ll find, and their frequent discounts and flexible financing plans make them even more budget-friendly. They don’t sacrifice quality either — you’ll still get reliable products and customer support. SmilePath might not have any physical locations, but their prices and results make them worth a look.
For a closer look at SmilePath, check out our in-depth review.
Summary - Is Dr. Wondersmile Right For You?
Before their closure and rebrand, we ranked Dr. Wondersmile among our top providers. However, we no longer feel comfortable recommending them to our readers. That said, there are plenty of other reliable at-home clear aligner providers you can choose instead.
Our #1 recommended provider, Byte, uses innovative technology to offer a comfortable aligner fit and potentially shorter treatment lengths. Byte has a nighttime only treatment option and automatic approval for their in-house financing, BytePay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dr. Wondersmile offer discounts?
Not frequently, but Dr. Wondersmile has offered occasional sales in the past. If you sign up for their emails, you might get deals for $100–$200 off your aligners. They also had a referral program that gave you $200 and a friend $200 off treatment when they signed up, but it appears they’ve eliminated it.
Can Dr. Wondersmile correct my condition?
Dr. Wondersmile is effective in treating mild and moderate cases of crowding and spacing, but it can’t correct jaw misalignments like overbite, underbite, crossbite, etc. The only way to know for sure is to visit a Dr. WonderSmile Clinic for a dental scan.
What about Invisalign?
The clear aligner industry giant has its own set of unique benefits, most notably in-person care. During regular face-to-face checkups, your dentist or orthodontist can make adjustments to your treatment and add attachments that allow Invisalign to treat a wider scope of cases than remote providers.
How much will I end up paying?
Even though Dr. Wondersmile’s sticker price is $2,490 (or $2,590 for NightClear), various factors can influence that cost, including discounts, financing, insurance, refinements, and more. In most cases, you won’t pay exactly $2,490–$2,590, but it should be close.
How do I get started?
They no longer sell impression kits, so you’ll need to visit one of Dr. Wondersmile’s clinics for an in-person teeth scan. They used to have 20 locations across Australia, but that number has dwindled drastically since they closed and reopened.
How long will it take?
Typically at-home clear aligners take around six months to correct your smile. Quick fixes might be shorter and more complicated conditions may take longer. It all depends on your condition’s severity and how strictly you adhere to your wear schedule.
Do clear aligners hurt?
When you switch to a new aligner set every two weeks, you might experience some discomfort for the first day or two, but after that, you’ll hardly notice them.
Is at-home clear aligner treatment safe?
Yes! While administering treatment from home might seem daunting, the process is very safe. Home aligner companies use licensed dentists and orthodontists to create your treatment plan and design your aligners. Even though you won’t meet with them in-person, each company offers robust customer support services if something doesn’t feel quite right.
Join The Discussion: