Dr. Wondersmile and EZ Smile are two of the leading at-home teeth alignment companies in Australia. They share many common characteristics, from the convenience of at-home treatment to the affordability of their aligners. But if you’re deciding between them, you probably want to know what makes each one unique. That’s why we’re here.
We’ve compiled our extensive research into this comparison review, which details all the facts you need to determine which of these companies is the best option for your smile.
They’ve since resurfaced under the name Dr. Wondersmile and promised to continue serving their customers. However, given their previous struggles to deliver treatment and their poor communication regarding their shutdown, we’d still encourage readers to consider a different provider at this time.
Table of Contents
Overview & Recommendation: EZ Smile Wins
For a while, Dr. Wondersmile was a legitimate competitor for EZ Smile, safely and efficiently aligning smiles in the same way. However, in the wake of their sudden shutdown and subsequent reopening, we think they’re a much riskier choice. But even before all that happened, we preferred EZ Smile for three primary reasons.
- Flexible Financing: EZ Smile offers multiple payment plans, including one that accepts everyone, while Dr. Wondersmile’s financing plans require a credit check, so not everyone qualifies.
- Extensive Refund Policy: If you change your mind within 90 days of receiving your aligners, you can return them for a refund (minus $300 for a treatment planning fee). Dr. Wondersmile offers refunds too, but only for 30 days after receiving your aligners.
- Free Retainers: EZ Smile includes your first set of aftercare retainers for free. Dr. Wondersmile used to sell them for $99 per set, but now they don’t sell retainers at all.
Is EZ Smile Right for You?
On our list of the top at-home teeth alignment companies in Australia, EZ Smile ranks second, while Dr. Wondersmile landed outside the top four. The best option for you will vary based on your priorities, condition, and budget, but if you want affordable aligners without sacrificing quality and customer support, EZ Smile is truly one of the top companies available.
Effectiveness Comparison
When evaluating at-home aligners, the all-important question is: do they work? Choose EZ Smile or Dr. Wondersmile and the answer is a resounding yes. Both companies use high-quality materials and can reliably make cosmetic changes to your alignment. They don’t possess the power or versatility of Invisalign, since they don’t incorporate any office visits or attachments, but if you’ve got a milder misalignment, EZ Smile can achieve the smile you want. It’s possible that Dr. Wondersmile can too, but the way they left so many customers hanging in early 2022 makes us wary.
EZ Smile Effectiveness
Dr. Wondersmile Effectiveness
- Uses a mixed team of orthodontists and dentists.
- Partners with an experienced dental lab in China to manufacture their aligners.
- Requires only one check-in during treatment.
- Trims aligners to match your gum line, making them slightly less powerful.
- Works solely with orthodontists to design and direct treatment.
- Manufactures their FDA-approved products in the USA and Germany.
- Regular photo check-ins keep you on track.
- Cuts aligners straight across the gums, increasing their power.
Provider Network
EZ Smile’s clinical team consists of dentists and orthodontists, while Dr. Wondersmile says they only employ orthodontists. General dentists are knowledgeable experts, and they’re certainly qualified to design and implement clear aligners. However, orthodontists spend multiple years in specialized postgraduate training for dentofacial adjustments. However, despite what their website currently says, we’re unsure if Dr. Wondersmile’s orthodontist-only approach might change with the company’s new management.
Clinical Oversight
Hands-on care is what makes Invisalign and other in-person treatments so reliably powerful. Remote treatment can’t fully replicate that face-to-face care, but Dr. Wondersmile has implemented a robust remote monitoring system. Every month, you’ll upload photos of your teeth to your patient portal for their clinical team to review. If anything looks off, they can adjust your aligners and wear schedule to keep you on track. Like the dental team, we don’t know if this will change with Dr. Wondersmile’s new management.
Unfortunately, EZ Smile doesn’t provide any oversight after you receive your aligners beyond having you send in a photo halfway through treatment. If you notice any problems, you’ll need to contact their support staff, who can escalate your concerns to the dental team.
Manufacturing Quality
Neither Dr. Wondersmile nor EZ Smile discloses who manufactures their aligners. EZ Smile says their aligners are made in China by “one of the leading clear aligner manufacturers in the world,” one that’s already aligned more than 200,000 smiles. Dr. Wondersmile only says their aligners are FDA approved and produced in the USA and Germany.
Both companies use BPA-free plastics without phthalates, and they both have a strong reputation for successfully aligning teeth, so we’re confident that they both use high-quality clear aligners.
Aligner Cut
EZ Smile cuts their aligners to match your gum line. This makes them less noticeable, but also less powerful because they can’t use the gums as an anchor to exert more force. Dr. Wondersmile cuts their aligners straight across, which results in some visible plastic covering your gums, but makes them more effective.
Affordability Comparison
If an aligner company has sky-high prices, it doesn’t really matter how effectively and quickly they can move your teeth, or how dazzling they say your smile will be afterward. Fortunately, all at-home services are much more affordable than treatments that require office visits, so EZ Smile and Dr. Wondersmile are both relatively affordable. They might have similar sticker prices, but EZ Smile is the slightly more budget-friendly option thanks to their multiple financing options and free retainers.
EZ Smile Affordability
Dr. Wondersmile Affordability
- $2,499 sticker price.
- Offers frequent discounts on their website.
- Includes one set of retainers for free (replacements are $149).
- DIY molds or in-office scans cost $99 (refunded if you purchase aligners).
- Multiple financing options, including ones without credit checks and down payments.
- $2,900 sticker price ($2,590 for night-only aligners).
- Charges an extra $99 per set of retainers.
- Doesn’t sell impression kits, and it’s unclear if their in-person dental scans are free.
- Financing requires a down payment and a credit check.
Sticker Price
EZ Smile’s $2,499 price is around the same price as Dr. Wondersmile, but they also frequently offer discounts on their website that we’ve seen take up to $200 off. However, the initial price isn’t the only expense associated with clear aligner treatment.
EZ Smile also includes your first set of aftercare retainers for free, and Dr. Wondersmile used to charge $99, although they don’t have retainers for sale on their website anymore. EZ Smile offers free teeth scans at their in-person clinics, and their impression kit costs $99 (unless you catch a sale) — but they’ll refund that amount if you decide to purchase aligners or you’re not a suitable candidate for treatment. Dr. Wondersmile used to charge $99 for their impression kits, but they no longer sell them. Instead, you’ll need to schedule an appointment at one of their clinics, although their website doesn’t specify if there’s a fee involved.
Dr. Wondersmile’s price has changed almost as much as their customer responsiveness recently, so even though their price is similar to EZ Smile’s right now, it might not stay that way.
Payment Plan Options
If you don’t have thousands of dollars to pay for your teeth alignment upfront, Dr. Wondersmile and EZ Smile have payment plans available.
EZ Smile offers three different options:
- Zip Money: You’ll need to pass a credit check to qualify for this interest-free plan, but if you do, you’ll pay $48.06 per week for 52 weeks.
- EZ Installments: With this plan, you’ll pay a $499 deposit, followed by 52 weekly payments of $45. This plan does not require a credit check and costs a total of $2,475.
- Humm: This interest-free plan doesn’t require a deposit, but it does have a credit check. If you qualify, you can either pay $208.25/month for 12 months or $104.13/month for 24 months.
Dr. Wondersmile only has one payment plan, called WonderPay. It requires a credit check, plus you’ll need to pay a minimum 20% deposit ($498 for All-Day aligners and $518 for NightClear). Then, you’ll make monthly payments of at least $208 ($215 for NightClear) until you reach the full amount.
Free Extras
Some companies include free bonus items to complement your aligner treatment. While EZ Smile includes free whitening products with your aligners, Dr. Wondersmile does not. EZ Smile also throws in your first set of aftercare retainers for free, while Dr. Wondersmile used to charge $99 per set and doesn’t even sell them anymore.
Convenience Comparison
Eliminating frequent visits to your dentist or orthodontist automatically makes at-home aligner treatment more convenient than in-office options like Invisalign. But office visits are only one aspect of convenience, and even though EZ Smile has taken measures to streamline and simplify their treatment process, Dr. Wondersmile has traditionally gone above and beyond to make treatment easy for their customers. That said, their new management may or may not decide to continue prioritizing convenience.
EZ Smile Convenience
Dr. Wondersmile Convenience
- Sells impression kits, plus has 15 partner dentists across Australia and New Zealand who provide teeth scans.
- Does not offer a nighttime-only option.
- Average treatment time is 4–8 months.
- Once had 20 office locations for teeth scans, but now they have just four, and they don’t sell impression kits.
- The average treatment time is six months (nine for NightClear aligners).
- Their NightClear option only requires ten hours of daily wear.
Getting Started
When you start any at-home teeth alignment program, you’ll need to provide dental images to the company making your aligners. Using these images, the company will determine if they can fix your misalignment, and if so, create your treatment plan.
Both Dr. Wondersmile and EZ Smile give you the option of visiting one of their retail locations for a professional teeth scan or taking your own impressions at home using an impression kit. Some people struggle with the at-home molds, since it’s difficult to make perfect impressions on your own, so it’s nice to have the option for an in-person scan. And if you choose Dr. Wondersmile, that’s your only option. They aren’t currently offering impression kits on their website, and we don’t know if or when they’ll be selling them again.
EZ Smile partners with 13 dentists in various Australian cities (and two in New Zealand), while Dr. Wondersmile only has four office locations around the country. EZ Smile might have more locations, but they don’t have any in Western Australia, while Dr. Wondersmile has one in Perth.
Treatment Time
EZ Smile says most customers complete their standard treatment in 4–8 months, while Dr. Wondersmile typically takes around six (or nine for their nighttime plan). This is pretty standard for at-home aligners, but your treatment might take longer or shorter depending on the severity of your misalignment. The more complex the case, the longer it takes to correct.
These timelines are much shorter than in-office options, which often take 12–18 months. Just remember that Invisalign and braces take longer because they take on more severe misalignments, while at-home aligners stick to milder cases.
Nighttime-Only Option
Some people have no problem wearing clear aligners for 22 hours per day, every day. After all, they’re much more discreet than braces, and many people won’t even notice that you’re wearing them. However, some people are sensitive about revealing their aligners to friends and coworkers, which is why it’s nice to have a night-only option.
While EZ Smile only offers all-day alignment plans, Dr. Wondersmile’s NightClear aligners only require ten hours of daily wear, but this extends the treatment time to roughly nine months. It’s up to you whether the trade-off of less daily wear for a longer timeline is worth it, but we love having the option.
Appearance Comparison
All clear aligners look much more natural than metal braces. However, you might be surprised by how much aligner appearances can vary. Some people prefer completely clear aligners, while some prefer the look of “frosted,” translucent plastic.
This is an entirely subjective category — since everyone has different tastes — but it’s still worth discussing. Dr. Wondersmile and EZ Smile have similar-looking aligners (with one important exception), so we doubt this will be a “make or break” category for many readers.
EZ Smile Appearance
Dr. Wondersmile Appearance
- Uses smooth, transparent, shiny plastic.
- Cannot incorporate attachments.
- Scalloped to match your gum line.
- Reasonably stain-resistant.
- Uses smooth, transparent, shiny plastic.
- Cannot incorporate attachments.
- Cut straight across the gums.
- Reasonably stain-resistant.
Aligner Material
Depending on which company you buy your clear aligners from, they may or may not actually be “clear.” This is because some companies use smooth, transparent plastic, while others use a frosted, translucent material. What’s the difference?
Using smooth, clear plastic can reflect light, potentially giving your teeth an artificial-looking gleam. Some people say that they prefer this type of plastic because it makes their teeth look shiny, but it doesn’t exactly match your natural teeth surfaces. Your teeth are porous, so they look matte, which is why frosted, translucent plastic can look more natural. However, both Dr. Wondersmile and EZ Smile use clear, reflective plastic to make their aligners.
Aligner Cut
Aligners cut straight across the gums can exert more force, but observant friends might notice where they overlap your gums. Since scalloped aligners match your gum line, they’re slightly less visible.
EZ Smile scallops their aligners, while Dr. Wondersmile cuts them straight across. So EZ Smile might be a tiny bit less noticeable, although for most people, the difference is pretty negligible.
Attachments
In-person treatments like Invisalign can correct severe misalignments in part because they let dentists place attachments on your teeth. They give the aligners more leverage and power, but also make them more visible. Since dentists affix these attachments during office visits, EZ Smile and Dr. Wondersmile can’t use them. That might decrease their effectiveness, but it also means you won’t have any extra hardware in your mouth.
Stain Resistance
Both companies produce somewhat stain-resistant aligners, but we would still never recommend eating or drinking anything other than water while wearing them. You wouldn’t want to stain one of your aligners and still have to wear it!
Customer Experience Comparison
When you choose at-home aligner treatment, you’ll be working 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’ll have face-to-face interactions with dentists and staff who know you personally. It’s tough for remote services to match that individualization, but EZ Smile does an admirable job. Dr. Wondersmile once delivered a supportive, personalized customer experience, but after they shut down and stopped responding to customers in early 2022, we’ve yet to see them regain that kind of service.
EZ Smile Customer Experience
Dr. Wondersmile Customer Experience
- Offers support via phone, email, and webchat. Will also respond to messages on social media.
- Has a strong reputation for customer satisfaction.
- Will provide free refinements if your results don’t match your treatment preview.
- Offers a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
- Only offers support via an online form, and may respond on social media.
- Received mostly positive customer reviews prior to 2022.
- Will provide refinements if your results don’t match your treatment preview.
- They say their Treatment Guarantee will fix any shifts your teeth make within a year of completing treatment — but customers say they didn’t honor it during their shutdown in 2022.
Support Options
Not only has EZ Smile continuously provided responsive support — while Dr. Wondersmile stopped responding during their few-month shutdown — they also offer more communication channels. That includes phone support with standard weekday operating hours, email, and a webchat feature. Dr. Wondersmile only has a contact form you can fill out on their website, and we’ve also seen them respond to customers on social media.
Responsiveness and Helpfulness
We searched every corner of the internet to find as many genuine customer reviews as possible. Fortunately, both Dr. Wondersmile and EZ Smile have hundreds of reviews available on reputable third-party websites, so it’s easy to evaluate their reputations.
We found some isolated instances of customer dissatisfaction with their support team response times, but other than that, EZ Smile is quick, helpful, and friendly. Dr. Wondersmile had excellent reviews up until 2022, when they stopped communicating with customers. They haven’t gotten back on track since.
Satisfaction Guarantee
With either EZ Smile or Dr. Wondersmile, you’ll receive a full refund of your in-office teeth scan or your at-home mold kit if they determine you are not a candidate for treatment. And if you reach the end of your aligner plan, but your smile doesn’t match the one from your treatment preview, each company will create free refinement aligners to finish the job. If you have EZ Smile, just make sure you submit your refinement request and photos of your teeth within two weeks of wrapping up treatment.
EZ Smile’s 90-day satisfaction guarantee is one of the best refund policies in the industry. While most competitors refuse to grant refunds unless they make a mistake, EZ Smile lets you request your money back for any reason within your first three months. They’ll deduct $300 for a treatment planning fee, but it’s still a tremendously consumer-friendly and reassuring policy.
Dr. Wondersmile used to offer refunds too, but only in the first 30 days after you receive your aligners. Plus, after you finish your treatment, they insure your smile for one year, as long as you wear retainers as directed. According to 2022 customer reviews, however, they haven’t been providing refunds, retainers, or refinements — but their new management might change that.
Company Backgrounds
EZ Smile Company Background
Dr. Wondersmile Company Background
- Founded in 2017.
- Australian-owned company.
- Australia’s second-most affordable teeth alignment company.
- Founded in 2016.
- Flexible treatment options for a wide variety of alignment issues.
- Based in Australia, but has expanded across the globe.
- Shut down in 2022 before reopening and rebranding several months later.
Based in Sydney, EZ Smile began as “a partnership between highly experienced dental industry professionals and marketing experts.” They partner with 13 dental offices across Australia, plus an experienced and reputable dental laboratory that has successfully treated more than 200,000 cases worldwide. Over just a few years in business, they’ve distinguished themselves with their low prices, flexible financing options, and Australia-based customer support team.
Dr. Wondersmile started selling aligners in 2016, so they’ve got a longer track record in Australia than EZ Smile does. Over following years, they grew into one of the country’s most popular at-home aligner companies, and they’ve brought their treatment to numerous locations across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the U.K. Most of these international branches closed for several months in 2022, but Dr. Wondersmile says they’ve resumed operations in all of them except the U.K.
Which Home Teeth Aligner Should You Use?
Dr. Wondersmile and EZ Smile have a lot in common. They’ve got similar products, procedures, and results, so it’s understandable if you’re still undecided. Right now, however, we’d go with EZ Smile. Not only do they have more flexible financing plans and a longer satisfaction guarantee, but they’re currently operating as usual, while Dr. Wondersmile is attempting to make a comeback from a months-long shutdown that left many customers without treatment or refunds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose EZ Smile or Dr. Wondersmile?
EZ Smile and Dr. Wondersmile can both align your teeth safely and efficiently. That said, we prefer EZ Smile, primarily because of their superior affordability.
How do I get started with EZ Smile or Dr. Wondersmile?
Both companies have essentially the same starting process. You simply need to decide whether you’d like to visit one of their retail locations for a dental scan or if you’d rather use an impression kit at home. However, Dr. Wondersmile’s impression kits aren’t currently for sale, so you’ll need to visit one of their four clinics for a scan.
What are customers saying about EZ Smile and Dr. Wondersmile?
EZ Smile receives fantastic customer reviews. They maintain very high average scores on reputable third-party websites, and most customers appreciate their quality products, efficient treatments, and responsive customer support. Dr. Wondersmile was pretty much the same until 2022, when they stopped fulfilling orders and their response time greatly increased, with some customers not getting answers at all.
What is the most effective clear aligner company?
It’s tough to beat the power and versatility of in-office options like Invisalign and ClearCorrect. With hands-on care and orthodontic attachments, a dentist can use them to treat severe misalignments and even bite issues.
How do I know which option is right for me?
We recommend researching each company’s effectiveness, affordability, convenience, appearance, and customer support. By evaluating each option on these criteria, you can find the one that perfectly fits your circumstances and budgetary constraints.
What is the cheapest home aligner company?
SmilePath is the most affordable home aligner company in Australia. They charge $1,899 for their aligner service, while EZ Smile costs $2,499. Both companies have financing plans available, and they also sometimes offer discounts.
Will home aligners work for me?
It depends on the specifics of your alignment issues. In general, at-home alignment can only fix minor crowding and spacing issues.
How do EZ Smile and Dr. Wondersmile compare to Invisalign?
They both use clear aligners to straighten your smile. The big difference is that Invisalign requires frequent trips to a dentist or orthodontist, while EZ Smile and Dr. Wondersmile do not. Of course, pricing is another consideration, as Invisalign can cost thousands more.
However, if you have more serious alignment issues, Invisalign and other in-office aligners might be your only clear aligner option. For more information, contact your dentist or orthodontist.
How long does home aligner treatment take?
Most companies take around six months to straighten typical alignment issues. However, your specific timeline depends on the severity of your misalignment. The more complex your case, the longer it will take to correct.
What other companies should I consider?
We think that SmileDirectClub, Byte, and SmilePath are all worth a look. SmileDirectClub has the most experience, Byte boasts efficient alignments for many customers, and SmilePath has the lowest rates.
How much do home aligners cost?
Depending on which company you choose, home alignment can cost as little as $1,899 with SmilePath or as much as $2,965 with SmileDirectClub.
Does insurance cover home aligners?
Typically, no. The vast majority of insurers view at-home teeth alignment as a cosmetic treatment and do not cover it. That said, it doesn’t hurt to check with your provider.
Are home aligners safe?
Yes. While the term “at-home aligner” might sound scary, the process is quite safe. These companies use licensed orthodontists and dentists to create your treatment plans, and they offer strong customer support to help you with any issues that might arise.
Do home aligners hurt?
You might have some mild temporary discomfort whenever you switch to a new set of aligners, but for the most part, you will barely even notice you’re wearing them.