No one likes to go to the dentist. Frankly, it’s a hassle: you have to set up an appointment and endure the annoyance of the dentist’s office.
Then they give you a referral to the orthodontist, making you repeat the process. All. Over. Again. Is a straight smile worth all the trouble?
Luckily, there’s an alternative: you can get a million-dollar smile from the comfort of your own home with home clear aligners. Using a home clear alignment system, you can ditch the dentist and straighten your teeth on your own.
Home clear aligners aren’t just convenient, either. For many people, they’re also much faster and cheaper than braces.
EZ Smile is just one of many clear aligner companies in Australia today. But is EZ Smile right for you? In this review, we’ll give you the full scoop on EZ Smile: the good, the bad, and how to know if they’re right for your smile.
How Does EZ Smile Work?
EZ Smile is relatively simple: you order an impression kit or schedule a scan at an EZ Smile studio. You’ll take molds of your teeth or scans, which EZ Smile uses to create custom aligners. For most people, treatment lasts between 4-8 months (6 months on average). Here’s a fly-by of what to expect when using EZ Smile:
- Step 1: You schedule your appointment to have scans taken, or buy an impression kit and create molds of your teeth.
- Step 2: EZ Smile analyzes your molds or scans and develops a treatment plan that’s unique to you.
- Step 3: Pay for your treatment all in one go, or sign up for one of EZ Smile’s payment plans to pay as you go.
- Step 4: You wear the custom aligners sent to you by EZ Smile and gradually make your way to a straighter smile.
What Sets EZ Smile Apart?
EZ Smile is just one of several companies in the teledentistry scene, which is still a relatively new industry (the “oldest” company started in just 2014). EZ Smile is a bit newer; it got started in 2017. But even in the short time they’ve been on the Australian market, EZ Smile has established a good reputation for itself. Currently, they proudly serve Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
One of our top loves about EZ Smile is the fact that they have the second-most affordable treatment price in Australia. Plus, they also have more financing options than any of their competitors, allowing you to pick the payment method that works best for you and your budget.
Honestly, there aren’t a ton of negatives about EZ Smile’s treatment. The primary downside is that they can only treat mild and moderate cosmetic cases of misalignment, but that’s true of any at-home clear aligner provider.
Product Quality
EZ Smile uses the technology Invisalign created, but they’ve adapted it to suit remote treatment options. But what are these aligners made of? Let’s take a closer look.
Materials
Just like all other clear aligners companies, EZ Smile’s aligners are made from BPA free plastic. Unfortunately, we don’t know very many other details about the manufacturing process. Many clear aligner providers share who manufactures their aligners, but EZ Smile doesn’t divulge this information. EZ Smiles says that their aligners are made by an experienced laboratory, but without revealing their manufacturer it’s hard for us to fully sign off on their product’s quality.
Appearance
The tops of clear aligners are cut in one of two ways: straight across, or scalloped to mimic the gumline. EZ Smile scallops their aligners; and without the aligner/gum overlap, your treatment won’t be very noticeable. It’s a bit of a trade-off though because straight cut aligners use the gums as an anchor so they can exert more force.
EZ Smile’s aligners are made from clear shiny plastic. This might sound a little counterintuitive, but highly transparent aligners aren’t necessarily the lowest profile. This is in part due to their shiny, reflective surface. Other clear aligner providers (like Smile Direct and Invisalign) make their aligners from slightly frosted, matte plastic which looks more like the naturally porous surface of our teeth.
That said, appearance is subjective! Frosted plastic may be less noticeable, but plenty of customers appreciate the added gleam EZ Smiles aligners give their grins. It’s all up to you and your unique preferences.
Treatment Oversight
One of the great things about at-home treatment is…well, you complete it at-home! This means your treatment is overseen remotely, too. With traditional options like braces or Invisalign, not only is treatment significantly longer (18-24 months) but you’ll also have to attend frequent in-person appointments throughout the entirety of your treatment. For most adults, packing a dozen or so appointments into an already busy schedule is no easy task.
Each at-home clear aligner provider approaches remote oversight a little differently. With EZ Smile, you’ll send in progress photos when you’re at the midway point in your treatment plan. You’ll upload these photos to your patient account for the EZ Smile team to review.
EZ Smile isn’t the fastest clear aligner provider out there (that honor goes to Byte), but they aren’t the slowest, either. Their typical treatment falls at the 6-month mark, but some could take as little as 4 months or as many as 8. So depending on your treatment plan, the midway point could be as early as 2 months, or as many as 4.
This is less oversight than some competitors, but more than others. If you usually prefer a hands-off approach, then only having to do one photo session might be more your speed. But if you like the comfort of more robust oversight, you may be better suited for a provider with more frequent check-ins like Byte or SmilePath.
You can reach out to the EZ Smile customer support team if you have any questions or if an issue arises during your treatment. EZ Smile’s customer support is one of the areas where they truly shine. Their representatives provide excellent service and are available through social media, phone, and email. In our experience, phone support is the quickest method (provided you call during their posted hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Bang For Your Buck
Not only is EZ Smile much more affordable than traditional options like braces and Invisalign; they’re also the second cheapest at-home clear aligner provider in Australia. Let’s take a look at how much you can count on spending when you choose EZ Smile for your clear aligner treatment.
Startup Costs
Before EZ Smile can correct your teeth, they need to see them! To make that happen, you have two options: taking impressions on your own at home or booking an appointment for a scan at one of EZ Smile’s physical locations.
Both startup options cost $99. If you buy aligners, though, you’ll get a $100 discount, so in a way, this step is free if you go ahead with treatment.
Aligner Kit
Your $2,149 aligner bundle includes everything you need to straighten your teeth without ever visiting the orthodontist’s office. You get all the aligners in your treatment plan plus your first set of post-treatment retainers. Aftercare retainers are an ongoing expense, so it’s nice that EZ Smile starts you off with a complimentary set.
Potential Add-Ons
Part of how EZ Smile maintains such affordable pricing is by keeping the aligner package fairly minimal. Your treatment bundle comes with all the essentials you need to get a smile that makes you feel your best. But if you’re looking for some extras, EZ Smile still has you covered—you’ll just need to pay outright for them.
If you want to whiten your teeth while you align them, you can head to the EZ Smile store and purchase their teeth whitening pens (a 3 pack is $39.95). They also sell ‘shine foam,’ a minty cleanser that helps keep your aligners fresh and clean.
Financing
EZ Smile knows that most people don’t have $2,149 burning a hole in their pocket, so they offer flexible payment plans. There’s plenty of different financing options to choose from, with payments as low as $26 per week. Just for reference, the priciest payment plan would bring your cost to $2,499 total.
Insurance
Medicare designates at-home clear aligner treatment as “cosmetic,” so it doesn’t provide any coverage. We don’t know of any private providers that work with EZ Smile specifically, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get insurance coverage. Be sure to reach out to your insurance provider directly to see what your options are.
Post-Treatment Costs
Like we mentioned earlier, EZ Smile includes your first set of aftercare retainers for free. These retainers are strong, but they won’t last forever. You’ll need to replace your retainers every 6 months or so. You can purchase additional retainers through EZ Smile for $99/set.
Customer Experience
Of course, the quality and cost of your aligners are important, but so is how you’re treated throughout the process. Let’s take a look at what you can expect when you choose EZ Smile for your clear aligner treatment.
Reviews
Buying anything on the internet is convenient, but sometimes it’s hard to trust. In the “old days,” you could just ask your family and neighbors for their recommendations. Now, word of mouth often gets replaced with online reviews. What are other customers saying about EZ Smile?
It’s important to account for both the good and the bad. So, here are a few of the things customers like about EZ Smile:
- Scan technicians are friendly and thorough, even doing multiples if there are any issues with the first
- Minimal discomfort throughout treatment
- Cost-effective, with flexible financing plans
- Aligners are practically invisible
But there are a few drawbacks, too:
- Your teeth and bite might feel a bit odd mid-treatment
- Sometimes one arch of teeth doesn’t respond as well to treatment
Those negatives are actually pretty common across the industry, no matter which brand you use. If your bite feels extremely odd, you should contact customer support. But a slight difference from what you’re used to is normal. After all, you’re shifting your teeth; they should feel different.
As for your teeth not responding well: if that happens, talk to EZ Smile right away. They have generous policies in place to make sure their customers get the results they’re after (more on that in a minute).
All things considered, we think that EZ Smile’s positives far outweigh its negatives.
Comfort
Let’s be clear—moving your teeth around is never going to be a total pleasure cruise. Even traditional options like braces and Invisalign come with their fair share of aches and pains—it comes with the territory.
With clear aligners, you won’t be dealing with uncomfortable brackets scratching up your mouth. What you will feel is discomfort when you switch to a new set of aligners, since these will be tighter than your previous set. It shouldn’t last more than a day or two, and an over-the-counter pain reliever should be able to help.
Guarantees
EZ Smile has one of the best satisfaction guarantees in the industry. Here’s how it works: if at any point during your first 90 days of treatment you decide that EZ Smile isn’t for you, they’ll refund your money. Since clear aligners are a custom product, a refund policy like this is extremely rare. If you’re prone to cold feet, EZ Smile may be right up your alley.
EZ Smile also has the industry-standard refund: if they determine you aren’t a good candidate for treatment, they’ll refund you the cost of your impression kit or scan.
What if I break an aligner?
If you lose or break an aligner, contact customer support right away to order another one for $99. It takes 14 days to manufacture and ship a replacement aligner, so while you wait for the replacement to arrive, you should wear the aligner from your previous set. That will keep your teeth from shifting back too far.
Refinement Policy
If you reach the end of your treatment and your smile doesn’t look like what you were promised, EZ Smile will send you new aligners for free. That way, you’ll get back on track before you know it! Some of EZ Smiles’ competitors charge $200 for this service, so it’s nice knowing that you won’t have to deal with that hassle.
EZ Smile Alternatives
Is EZ Smile right for you? Your smile is a big decision. You keep it for life! So you’ll want to consider all the alternatives that are available. EZ Smile is a fantastic service, but we still wanted to mention some other options to consider:
Byte
If you’re looking for the fastest treatment on the market, check out Byte. They offer both daytime and nighttime treatments. And thanks to their HyperByte system, they’re able to offer shorter treatments than their competitors. In some cases their treatments can wrap up in just 4 months.
SmilePath
EZ Smile is definitely affordable, and they’re one of the most affordable options. But they aren’t the “cheapest.” That honor goes to SmilePath. SmilePath prides itself on being the most affordable mail-order clear aligner treatment—and their $1,899 sticker price proves it.
WonderSmile
There’s not a ton of flexibility with most aligner companies, but WonderSmile is an exception to that. With both in-person scans and impressions, both nighttime and daytime treatment, and the option to treat just one dental arch, WonderSmile makes it easy to pick what works for you.
Smile Direct Club
If you want to work with the biggest brand in the home clear aligner industry, then look no further than Smile Direct. They also offer the flexibility of nighttime treatments and SmileShops where you can have scans taken of your teeth instead of impressions.
Should You Use EZ Smile?
EZ Smile has a lot of positives, but that doesn’t mean that they’re right for everyone. Let’s talk about when you should use EZ Smile and when you should steer clear.
✔ When to use EZ Smile:
EZ Smile is a great option if you’re looking for the best satisfaction guarantee in the industry. No other company will refund your aligner kit within your first 90 days of treatment. They’re also a fantastic option if you want the most flexibility in your payment plans.
✖ When NOT to use EZ Smile:
If you have a bite issue like underbite or a severe case of crowding or spacing, then you’re probably not a good candidate for any home alignment system—EZ Smile or otherwise. If you’re looking for the fastest method or the most affordable one, then you should look into Byte and SmilePath respectively.
Final Verdict
All told, EZ Smile is a great option with no glaring issues, a fantastic satisfaction guarantee, and a pretty affordable price tag. They’re our #3 pick for clear aligners in Australia. So if you’re drawn to them, go for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does EZ Smile ever offer discounts?
Sometimes! But you have to keep an eye out for them. For example, we’ve seen EZ Smile offer a $200 discount off their base price. Sales don’t last forever, though; if you find a good one, make sure you jump on it!
What if I’m not happy with the outcome?
EZ Smile has one of the best satisfaction guarantees in the industry. There’s the 90-day money back guarantee, which allows you to change your mind (at no cost) for the first three months. But, if you reach the end of your treatment and things don’t look quite right, contact customer support. They will provide you a refinement (i.e., new aligners) for free provided you wear your aligners as prescribed throughout treatment (failing to do so forfeits the guarantee).
Does EZ Smile offer nighttime-only treatment?
Not right now. EZ Smile’s only treatment offering is daytime treatment, which requires you to wear your aligners for 20 hours per day. If you don’t adhere to that schedule, then you’ll run the risk of harming your smile or making your treatment last far longer than necessary.
Do I need an X-ray before EZ Smile treatment?
No X-ray needed with EZ Smile! The impression kit is all you need to get started, and it measures the spaces and orientation of your teeth, not your bone structure. That’s assuming you have a relatively normal bone structure, though. If you suspect that your jaw is a slightly different shape or that you have a bad overbite or underbite, then you may want to get an X-ray to be sure.
How does EZ Smile compare to Byte, WonderSmile, SmilePath, and Smile Direct?
We rank EZ Smile at #3 across Australia. That’s because they’re a great value, have a great satisfaction guarantee, and they don’t have any glaring issues. That said, they’re not the fastest, the cheapest, or the biggest. Byte’s the fastest (and our favorite overall), with some treatments lasting just 4 months. SmilePath is the most affordable (they’re a couple hundred dollars cheaper than EZ Smile). And then there’s Smile Direct, which has more brand power than any other aligner company.
Is EZ Smile better than braces and Invisalign?
It all depends on what you mean by “better.” Braces, Invisalign, and EZ Smile will all get the job done and leave you with an impressive grin. The real questions are how fast does treatment go, and how much are you willing to spend? Of all these options, EZ Smile is the cheapest and quickest treatment.
Is EZ Smile cheaper than braces or Invisalign?
Yes! EZ Smile is cheaper than both traditional braces and Invisalign. EZ Smile costs just $2,145. Invisalign can cost several thousand dollars depending on the severity of your case. The same goes for braces. Ultimately, EZ Smile can cost thousands less.
Does EZ Smile treatment last forever?
Occasionally, teeth will shift post-treatment. As you age (or during pregnancy), your teeth have a tendency to move. The only way to prevent that is to wear your retainers as prescribed. That will guarantee your results last.
I’m in a rush – is EZ Smile the fastest at-home treatment option available?
No, that honor goes to Byte. EZ Smile’s treatment usually lasts between 4-8 months. In some cases Byte can wrap up in 4 months for daytime treatment, and 5 months for their nighttime only Byte At-Night treatment option.
Does EZ Smile have a refund policy?
EZ Smile has several refund policies. For starters, there’s the refund for the impression kit, which applies if you don’t turn out to be a good candidate for treatment. Then there’s the 90-day satisfaction guarantee. You’ll get all of your money back if you decide that you don’t want to proceed with treatment during the first 90 days. Last but not least, they’ll provide new aligners if your results don’t turn out as promised (not a refund in the strict sense of the term, but worth noting).
What happens if I mess up my impressions?
If that happens, you’re not alone; impressions can be tricky. Contact customer support, and they’ll get another kit sent your way.
Does EZ Smile have upsells?
EZ Smile doesn’t have any hard upsells during their order process. They do have a soft one by including a free bottle of their whitening treatment, but that’s it. And since there’s no commitment to buy the whitener, it’s not really a true upsell.
Is there an age requirement for using EZ Smile?
EZ Smile requires all treatment candidates to be 16 years or older. And on a related note: you should think about getting your wisdom teeth removed first. You should at least consult with your orthodontist to learn if you’ll need them removed. If not, you can go ahead with treatment. But if you do need those teeth extracted, it’s best to get that done first.
Will EZ Smile make me talk funny?
With any home aligner system, you have a foreign object in your mouth. That’s unavoidable. So, your mouth might feel a bit funny, and you could have the slightest hint of a lisp. For most people, though, the aligners are minimally invasive and practically imperceptible to others.
How many hours a day should I wear my EZ Smile aligners?
EZ Smile only offers daytime treatment, which means you’ll need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours per day. There are no exceptions to that. If you want your treatment to work, you’ll need to wear those aligners as prescribed.
What happens if I lose my aligners (or retainers)?
If you lose an aligner, you need to contact customer support right away to order another one for $99. It takes 14 days to manufacture and ship one, though. While you wait for the replacement to arrive, you should wear the aligner from your previous set. That will keep your teeth from shifting back too far.
Is EZ Smile covered by insurance?
EZ Smile is not covered by Medicare, and as far as we know, most private policies won’t cover it, either. You’ll have to check with your provider to know for sure.
How can I contact EZ Smile’s customer support?
You can contact EZ Smile through their social media channels, but for more traditional support, it’s best to contact them via phone at 1.300.936. If you’d rather email, you can reach them at info@ezsmile.com.au.