Clear aligners are a series of transparent trays that move your teeth step by step. You swap to the next tray on a schedule and take them out to eat and brush, so hygiene is easy and they are far less visible than braces. They only work if you wear them for the prescribed hours every day.
Why people choose aligners
- Barely visible: good for client-facing work
- Remove them to eat, so no food restrictions like with braces
- Brush and floss normally
- Preview the planned tooth movement before you commit
Steps
- 1 Consultation, X-rays and a 3Shape digital scan
- 2 Your dentist plans the movement in 3D software and shows you the result
- 3 First trays fitted; small attachments bonded to some teeth as planned
- 4 Change trays on schedule with periodic reviews
- 5 Retainers at the end to hold the result
Who is it for?
Aligners treat crowding, gaps, and suitable deep bites or crossbites, as well as teeth that have shifted after earlier braces. Very complex cases may do better with fixed braces; your 3D plan will make that clear.
Common questions
Invisalign or Smartee?
Both are 3D-planned clear aligner systems; they differ in manufacturer, materials and package options. We’ll recommend the one that fits your case.
What if I don’t wear them enough?
Teeth fall behind the plan, the next trays may not fit, and treatment takes longer.
