Clear aligner treatment involves wearing a series of transparent, removable trays that gradually straighten your teeth. This method eliminates the need for brackets and wires, as well as the limitations associated with traditional metal braces.

Your doctor will develop a customized digital treatment plan to map out the precise movements of your teeth. The clear aligners are then designed to apply the appropriate amount of force to the right areas at the right time according to your plan. Your doctor will guide you throughout the process, monitoring your progress and ensuring the aligners fit properly.

Every smile is unique, which is why the process begins with a consultation. During this appointment, your doctor will help you understand what clear aligner treatment could achieve for your smile. While a specific outcome cannot be guaranteed, you are encouraged to share your goals with your doctor during the consultation.

This treatment is suitable for adults of all ages and adolescents starting at 15 years old, thanks to options specifically designed for teens.

Clear aligner treatment duration is variable based on the number of bits useful for your dental correction.

Most doctors recommend that anyone who has completed orthodontic treatment, whether with braces or clear aligners, wear a retainer to prevent teeth from gradually moving back to their original position. Each case is unique, so consult your doctor to determine if retainers are necessary for you.

Highly discreet, clear aligners are not entirely invisible but are very inconspicuous. In most cases, you can comfortably have conversations with family and friends without them even realizing you’re wearing aligners.

You need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day during treatment, but you can take them out for eating, drinking, brushing and contact sports.

The vast majority of patients report no effect on speech. However, as with traditional orthodontic appliances, there is an initial adjustment period associated with having something new in the mouth. You may have a slight lisp at first, but you’ll quickly get used to your aligners and should be talking clearly and confidently within a few days.

Many patients who choose clear aligners have previously undergone orthodontic treatment with braces, often during their youth. Clear aligners can typically address the shifting that occurs after braces, a condition commonly referred to as relapse.

No. Unlike traditional wires and brackets, you can eat whatever you like while in treatment because you remove your aligners to eat and drink. Thus, there is no need to restrict consuming any of your favourite foods and snacks. Also, it is important that you brush and floss your teeth after each meal and prior to re-inserting your aligners to maintain proper hygiene.

Chewing gum while wearing aligners is not advised as gum can stick to aligners. It is recommended that aligners be removed for all meals and snacks.

Smoking is discouraged while wearing aligners because it is possible for the aligners to become stained or discoloured.

Bridges, which firmly connect two or more teeth, can pose challenges to tooth movement. However, treatment can often be adjusted to work around bridges, depending on their location. Schedule a complimentary consultation to determine whether your bridge will impact your treatment plan.

Crowns (tooth caps) are generally not a significant factor in clear aligner treatment. However, small tooth-colored attachments may be bonded onto teeth to assist with specific movements, and these can be harder to bond to crowns than natural teeth. In such cases, the location of crowns must be carefully assessed. Fortunately, attachments can often be repositioned on other teeth, offering greater flexibility compared to traditional braces, where brackets must be placed directly on the crowned tooth.