Clear Aligners (Clear Braces)
Clear aligners are a modern orthodontic treatment designed to gently move your teeth into their ideal position. Made from transparent, medical-grade plastic, they fit snugly over your teeth and are almost invisible when worn. Unlike traditional braces with metal brackets and wires, clear aligners are smooth, discreet, and removable, making them a popular choice for adults and teens looking for a comfortable and convenient way to straighten their smile.
The benefits of Clear Aligners are the simulations, so you can see where your teeth will be at the end, giving you the confidence of a result you are pleased with. They also can be removed each day, making cleaning a lot easier than conventional braces. However, if you aren’t wearing them they don’t work, so being diligent with wearing them for 22 hours every day is essential to a successful result.
An amazing technologically advanced system using 3D computer-animated design and modeling to simulate the movement of your teeth to where you want them to be, and using 3D printed clear trays in a sequence from start to finish – simply, Clear Aligners can straighten your teeth almost invisibly!
If you’d like to discuss your suitability for Clear Aligners, we are certified providers so please book in to speak with us!
Before and After ClearAligners Treatment
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After
Who Are Clear Aligners For?
Clear aligners are ideal for:
- Adults or teens with mild to moderate crowding or spacing issues.
- People who have had braces before and experienced relapse.
- Patients looking for a more discreet alternative to traditional braces.
Clear aligners may not be suitable if you:
- Have severe misalignment or complex bite issues.
- Struggle to wear aligners consistently for 20–22 hours per day.
- Need significant tooth or jaw movement that requires fixed braces.
We will carefully assess your case to recommend the best treatment for you.
Why Choose Clear Aligners?
Discreet Appearance
Almost invisible, so most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
Comfortable
Fit
No metal brackets or wires to irritate your cheeks or gums.
Removable Design
Eat, drink, brush and floss as usual.
Fewer Appointments
Aligners are pre-planned digitally, meaning fewer visits compared to braces.
Improved Oral Health
Straighter teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Clear Aligners vs Traditional Braces
Choosing between clear aligners and traditional braces often comes down to lifestyle, comfort, and the complexity of your case.
Clear aligners are ideal for patients who want a discreet and flexible option that fits seamlessly into daily life, while braces remain the gold standard for correcting more complex orthodontic issues.
During your consultation, we’ll carefully assess your smile and recommend the treatment that will deliver the best long-term results for you.
Feature | Clear Aligners | Traditional Braces |
Appearance | Nearly invisible | Visible brackets & wires |
Comfort | Smooth & irritation-free | May cause gum/cheek irritation |
Hygiene | Removable for easy brushing & flossing | Harder to clean around brackets |
Eating & Drinking | No restrictions (remove to eat) | Avoid sticky/hard foods |
Appointments | Fewer, shorter visits | Regular tightening needed |
Best For | Mild to moderate cases | Complex or severe cases |
Frequently Asked Questions
About Clear Aligners
What Does the Treatment Process for Clear Aligners Look Like?
1. Consultation
Your journey starts with a dental consultation. We’ll check your oral health, discuss your smile goals, and confirm whether clear aligners are suitable for you.
2. Digital Scans & Treatment Planning
We take a 3D scan or impressions of your teeth to create a personalised treatment plan. You’ll even get to preview how your smile could look at the end of treatment.
3. Custom Aligner Fabrication
Your aligners are custom-made and usually ready within a few weeks.
4. Wearing Your Aligners
You’ll wear your aligners for 20–22 hours per day, only removing them for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. You’ll change to a new set every 1–2 weeks.
5. Progress Check-Ins
We’ll schedule periodic appointments to check progress and provide your next sets of aligners.
6. Completion & Retention
Once treatment is complete, you’ll receive retainers to keep your new smile in place long term.
Treatment time: Most cases take between 6–18 months, depending on complexity.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Clear aligners work by applying gentle, controlled forces that guide your teeth into new positions.
- Your dentist takes digital scans or impressions of your teeth.
- 3D treatment plan is created, mapping out the step-by-step movement of your teeth.
- You’ll receive a series of custom aligner trays, each slightly different, that you change every 1–2 weeks.
- Each set of aligners moves your teeth a little closer to the final result.
- Consistent wear — usually 20–22 hours per day — is key to success.
Some cases may also require small tooth-coloured attachments or very minor enamel reshaping (called IPR) to achieve precise movements.
How Shoud I Care for My Clear Aligners?
Looking after your aligners properly helps you stay on track with treatment.
- Wear consistently – 20–22 hours per day.
- Clean daily – rinse with lukewarm water, gently brush with a soft toothbrush (no toothpaste), or use an aligner cleaning solution.
- Avoid hot water – heat can warp the plastic.
- Brush & floss – before putting your aligners back in, to keep your teeth and aligners clean.
- Store safely – always use the case provided when you’re not wearing them.
Does wearing aligners hurt?
You may feel slight pressure or tightness when starting a new set, but this usually eases within a few days.
Do I need to wear retainers afterwards?
Yes. Retainers are essential to keep your teeth in their new position.
What happens if I lose an aligner?
Contact us right away — we’ll guide you on whether to move to the next set or order a replacement.
Can I eat or drink while wearing aligners?
You should remove aligners for meals and drinks other than water.
Are clear aligners suitable for teenagers?
Yes, provided they are committed to wearing them consistently. Some aligner systems even include compliance indicators for teens.
