How do clear aligners work?
The aligners are worn in a set order and apply gentle pressure to the teeth step by step. Each aligner is usually worn for about a week; the order and timing follow the schedule prepared for your treatment.[1]
Who are they suited to?
Clear aligners are considered among the options for gaps between teeth, crowding and some bite problems.[1] In marked bite problems, strongly rotated teeth and large gaps, fixed braces may be more predictable; which suits you is decided at the examination, using your records.[1, 3]
Wearing the aligners consistently through the day is part of the treatment. We talk at the examination about how to fit this into your daily life.
What happens before treatment starts?
The teeth and jaws are examined with records such as X-rays, photographs and impressions or scans. A cleaning and check-up at the dentist is recommended before aligner treatment.[1]
Moving teeth is a biological process that needs professional supervision from start to finish.[3] You can read how the examination works on the First Visit page.
Clear aligners or fixed braces?
Fixed braces are also an option for alignment and bite problems; the choice between aligners and braces depends on the case.[2]
If alignment is part of an aesthetic plan, the place of orthodontic options is covered on the Smile Design page, and how gaps between teeth are assessed in the guide to gaps between the teeth.
How many hours a day are aligners worn?
- Aligners are usually worn at least 22 hours a day, following the schedule set for your treatment.[1]
- Aligners come out for anything other than plain water.[1, 3]
- After eating or drinking, the teeth are brushed before the aligners go back in.
- Brushing and flossing are done with the aligners out.
What helps treatment go well?
Aligners only apply pressure to the teeth while they are in the mouth; consistent wear supports progress, while inconsistent wear can slow treatment and affect the result.[2, 3] Because not every tooth movement is equally predictable with aligners, regular check-ups follow whether the teeth are moving as expected.[1, 3]
Aligners can hold liquids and food particles against the teeth, which raises the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, so the teeth need to be clean before the aligners go back in.[2, 3] Other risks of orthodontic treatment include shortening of the tooth roots and gum recession.[5] The risks and options that apply to you are discussed before treatment starts.
What happens when treatment ends?
After treatment, a retainer is used to stop the teeth moving back to their original position; your dentist will tell you how long to wear it.[4]
Who plans your treatment?
Dr. Ferit Çiftçi plans your aligner treatment from your examination and records, and carries out the check-ups himself. In his note for fellow dentists, Attachments and IPR in clear aligner therapy, he reviews the evidence on the gap between planned and achieved tooth movement.
