Getting started with clear aligners is a fairly straightforward process. Nevertheless, it’s best to know what to expect so you can feel comfortable from the beginning. We’ll start off with a free initial discussion, during which we talk you through the invisible aligner treatment and discuss if it is suited for your smile.

If you decide to proceed with the treatment, your dentist will book you in for a comprehensive consultation. The appointment is an assessment of your teeth usually including x-rays, 3Shape digital scanning, and an examination of your general oral health.

Once your comprehensive consultation has been done, we’ll get to work having your customised clear aligners made. The various sets are designed to move your teeth gradually, usually worn for 20–22 hours a day and swapped approximately every one to two weeks.

Over the next months your teeth will begin to shift. During this time some people experience mild discomfort and pressure. This is completely normal and usually goes away after a few days. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene and remove your aligners at meals time as well as when drinking anything other than water. Our team will arrange regular check-ins to ensure your teeth are tracking as planned.

As you progress through your realignment, your dentist will schedule check ups to ensure everything is progressing properly, right up until the treatment is complete.

Invisible braces work by moving your teeth in small adjustments via a series of aligner trays. Each tray will be a little bit different to the previous one, which gently nudges your teeth closer to their ideal position. Each set is usually worn for 1–2 weeks, 20–22 hours per day, just removed for a couple of hours to eat, drink, brush, and floss. The treatment plan will be mapped out for you using digital scans, allowing us to preview the expected results before we get started.

For most orthodontic issues (think crowding, gaps, or minor bite misalignments), invisible braces are just as effective as traditional braces. In some more complex cases, like severe overbites or rotated teeth, conventional braces or a combination of treatments might be required to achieve the right results. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the aligners depends on your specific dental needs and your commitment to wearing them.

Your treatment duration will vary depending on the severity of your misalignment, but more often than not, the duration we suggest will fall between 6 and 18 months. We will ask you to book in regular check-ups so we can make sure your teeth are tracking as they should be. This gives us the chance to extend or shorten your treatment time as needed along the way.

Because invisible braces don’t have brackets and wires that can irritate the mouth, most people say they are very comfortable. Some mild soreness or pressure can be experienced, but this is usually only when switching to a new set of aligners. This typically subsides within a few days and is a normal sign that the treatment is working. There is usually zero discomfort during the process of having the scans and fittings done.

One of the big perks of invisible braces is that they can be removed during meals. This means that unlike metal braces, there are no food restrictions with invisible braces. Patients should remove aligners before eating or drinking anything besides water to avoid damage or stains. After meals, we encourage you to brush your teeth before reinserting the aligners. This helps maintain both oral hygiene and the clarity of the trays.

The clear aligners cost varies widely depending on the provider, your location, and the nature of your treatment. As you would have seen above, Fix Dental is dedicated to fair prices that don’t sacrifice quality, and our prices are often several thousands less than other dentists.