Services
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners straighten teeth using a series of nearly invisible plastic trays instead of metal and wires. The catch is that they only work if you wear them, which is a demand fixed braces never make of you.
How the trays move teeth
Each aligner in the series is a slightly different shape from the last, applying gentle, targeted pressure that shifts teeth a small amount before you move on to the next one. Over the full series, those small shifts add up to the final planned position. Because each tray is custom-made from a digital scan or impression of your teeth, the entire sequence is mapped out before treatment starts.
Aligners versus traditional braces
Aligners are removable, nearly invisible, and skip the dietary restrictions that come with metal brackets and wires. Traditional braces don't depend on patient compliance the same way, since they do their job continuously whether you remember to put them back in or not. That can make them a better fit for more complex bite corrections, or for patients who might not reliably wear aligners as directed.
What makes or breaks the results
Aligners generally need to be worn 20 to 22 hours a day, out only for eating, drinking anything but water, and brushing. Falling short of that on a regular basis is the most common reason treatment runs long or misses the intended result. That's the real tradeoff for being able to take them out: the treatment is only as effective as your consistency.
How long treatment generally takes
Timelines vary widely based on how much movement is needed. Some cases wrap up in around six months, and more involved cases can take a year or more, with periodic check-ins so adjustments can be made if teeth aren't tracking as planned. A consultation, including whether your specific case suits aligners or another approach, is the only way to get a real estimate for your situation.