Question 1

How do clear aligners work?

Accepted Answer

They are custom-made clear trays, replaced at regular intervals. Each one applies gentle pressure that moves the teeth gradually towards the planned position. Treatment begins with an assessment: a clinical examination, photos, impressions and X-rays. On this basis, a digital treatment plan simulates the movement of the teeth step by step, up to the intended result. The dentist presents this plan to you before anything is made. A series of trays is then made. Each one is slightly different from the previous one. You change trays at the pace set by the dentist, often every one to two weeks, and your teeth move a little further at each stage. For certain movements, small tooth-coloured resin bumps, called attachments, are bonded to some teeth to help the trays guide them more effectively. They are removed at the end of treatment. Regular follow-up appointments confirm that the teeth are following the plan. If needed, additional trays can be planned to refine the result.

Question 2

How long does aligner treatment take?

Accepted Answer

Depending on how complex the case is, from a few months for minor corrections to one or two years for more complex situations. Wearing the trays consistently has a strong influence on the duration. The duration depends mainly on the extent of the movements required. Slight crowding of the front teeth is generally corrected more quickly than a mismatch between the jaws or large gaps between the teeth. The treatment plan drawn up at the start gives an estimate of the number of trays and therefore of the likely duration. The dentist presents it to you before you begin, along with its limits: every body responds at its own pace. The factor you control most is how long you wear the trays. Trays that are not worn enough do not move the teeth as planned, which sometimes means extending treatment or making additional trays. Follow-up appointments track progress. At the end of the active phase, retention is put in place to stabilise the result, and it is an integral part of the treatment.

Question 3

How many hours a day do aligners need to be worn?

Accepted Answer

Generally around 20 to 22 hours a day. The trays only come out for eating, for drinking anything other than water and for brushing your teeth. For the teeth to move steadily, the pressure needs to be applied for most of the day and night. That is why the dentist generally recommends wearing the trays for around 20 to 22 hours a day. In practice, you take them out for meals and snacks, for hot, sweet or coloured drinks, and to brush your teeth. You then put them back in promptly, after rinsing or brushing. A few habits help you keep to this routine: grouping snacks together, carrying a storage case so that you never wrap the trays in a napkin, and keeping a small toothbrush with you during the day. If you forget to wear them for a prolonged period, tell the dentist. You will be told whether to keep the current tray a little longer before moving on to the next one.

Question 4

Can I eat and drink with aligners?

Accepted Answer

You take the trays out to eat and to drink anything other than water. It is advisable to brush your teeth, or at least rinse your mouth, before putting them back in. The trays are not designed for chewing: food could warp, crack or stain them. You therefore take them out at every meal, which lets you eat normally, with no particular restriction linked to the treatment. Still water can be drunk with the trays in. Sweet, acidic or coloured drinks, however, such as tea, coffee or juice, can become trapped against the teeth and encourage cavities or staining. Hot drinks can also warp the plastic. Before putting the trays back in, ideally brush your teeth. If that is not possible, a thorough rinse with water limits any residue. The trays themselves are cleaned every day with cold or lukewarm water and a soft brush. Hot water should be avoided. The dentist gives you suitable care instructions.

Question 5

Do aligners hurt?

Accepted Answer

A feeling of pressure is usual in the first days of each new tray. It is generally tolerable and fades quickly. Real, persistent pain should be reported. When you move on to a new tray, your teeth feel pressure: this is a sign that the force is being applied. The sensation is often stronger on the first day or two, then fades as the teeth adapt. Changing to a new tray in the evening, before going to sleep, helps many patients through this phase more comfortably. Slightly softer food in the first few days can also help. The edges of a tray can sometimes rub against the cheek or tongue. The dentist can smooth a sharp edge at an appointment. Mention it rather than altering the tray yourself. Intense pain, a tooth that moves in an unusual way or gums that keep bleeding are not part of the normal course of treatment. In that case, contact the practice for a check-up.

Question 6

Aligners or fixed braces: which should I choose, particularly as an adult?

Accepted Answer

Both techniques move teeth effectively. Aligners are discreet and removable; braces stay fixed at all times. The choice depends on the case, your habits and your motivation. There is no age limit for moving teeth, provided the gums and bone are healthy. Many adults choose aligners because they are hard to notice and come out for meals and brushing. This flexibility comes at a price: the result depends heavily on your consistency. With braces, the appliance works continuously without you having to think about it, which may suit people who worry that they will not wear their trays for long enough. Some complex movements are easier to achieve with braces, while others are very well suited to aligners. The two techniques are also sometimes combined. The initial assessment allows the dentist to tell you whether your situation is suitable for aligners, to explain their limits and, if needed, to refer you towards a more appropriate approach.

Question 7

What happens after treatment: do I need a retainer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Teeth tend to move back towards their original position. A retainer, either a wire bonded behind the teeth or a tray worn at night, stabilises the result over the long term. After teeth have been moved, the bone and fibres around them need time to reorganise. Without retention, the teeth can gradually shift again, sometimes within a few months. Two solutions are commonly offered, alone or together. The first is a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth, invisible from the outside. The second is a clear retainer tray, generally worn at night. Retention often lasts a long time, and many dentists recommend keeping it indefinitely, at least at night. The dentist explains the routine suited to your case. A bonded wire should be checked regularly, as it can come loose without you noticing. If you notice that it moves or that a tray no longer fits well, book an appointment promptly.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners

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