Clear Aligner Technology

Ekkk! Braces! I’m too old for that!Straightening teeth does not always mean having to hide your smile for months at a time due to unsightly wires and things stuck to the teeth! In our high tech society, the use of computers and 3D modelling has allowed the creation of the most aesthetic, truly invisible option to straighten teeth. And all without braces! All it requires is the use of a sequence of clear plastic aligners to move teeth gradually over time. It can provide an alternative to fixed braces for less severe orthodontic problems. So you can straighten your teeth now while you continue to smile and no one will ever know! Minimal interference with speech, eating and cleaning and most importantly smiling!Clear aligners are removable and virtually invisible and commonly marketed as Invisalign but there is an increasing number of alternatives available. Whether you’re considering traditional braces or an alternative to braces, only an orthodontist has the training, experience and expert knowledge to be able to offer you the full suite of treatment options and give you and your child the confidence that you’re in the best hands.

How clear aligners work

Clear aligners are clear, custom-made plastic trays that fit over your teeth and move them gradually. They suit adults and teenagers and can treat a wide range of problems, including crooked, gappy or protruding teeth. Modern aligners can manage some complex cases too, and sometimes aligners and braces are combined. What matters most is the clinician planning your treatment, not the brand of aligner.

• Planning. After your consultation, your orthodontist takes a scan or impressions of your teeth and plans your whole course of treatment from the start.
• Attachments. Small tooth-coloured bumps are fixed to some teeth to help the aligners grip and move them. They stay on for the whole treatment.
• Wearing your aligners. You wear each set for around 20 to 22 hours a day for one to two weeks, then move on to the next as your teeth shift in small steps.
• Length of treatment. The number of aligners depends on what needs correcting. Treatment commonly takes around 12 to 18 months, and some minor cases are much shorter.

Aligners compared with other options

Clear aligners are removable, so you take them out to eat, drink and brush. Lingual braces sit behind the teeth, so they cannot be seen at all. Clear (ceramic) braces are visible but subtle, and are often the more affordable cosmetic option. Your orthodontist can explain which suits your teeth, your bite and your lifestyle.

Looking after your aligners

• Wear them for the hours your orthodontist recommends
• Take them out to eat or drink anything other than water, so they do not warp or stain
• Clean them as your orthodontist shows you
• Keep your regular check-up appointments, so your orthodontist can make sure treatment is on track

Who should fit your aligners?

Clear aligners move most of the teeth and can change your bite, so they are a form of complex orthodontic treatment. A specialist orthodontist has the extra years of university training, the experience and the full range of options to plan it properly. Fees depend on what needs correcting and how long it takes. We discuss them with you once your records have been fully evaluated.

You can also download the Orthodontics Australia Guide to Clear Aligner Treatment, or see our Patient Resources page.

Based on guides prepared by Orthodontics Australia, the consumer education initiative of the Australian Society of Orthodontists. This information is general and does not replace an assessment by a specialist orthodontist.