North Orange Family Dentistry Logo

The Complete Guide to Clear Aligners

Explore clear aligners! Learn how they work, their benefits, and what to expect for a confident, straighter smile. Start your journey today.

The Complete Guide to Clear Aligners
The Complete Guide to Clear Aligners
Dr. Kyle Bogan
Dr. Kyle Bogan
July 18, 2025

An Introduction to Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a modern orthodontic solution that uses a series of transparent, removable trays to gradually straighten teeth. As a discreet and convenient alternative to traditional metal braces, they are a popular choice for adults and teens. These custom-made plastic trays fit snugly over your teeth, applying gentle pressure to guide them into their ideal position. They are worn 20-22 hours a day but are removed for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene.

What can clear aligners treat?

  • Gapped, crowded, or crooked teeth
  • Overbite and underbite
  • Crossbite
  • Other mild to moderate orthodontic issues

How do they work?Each aligner tray is worn for 1-2 weeks before moving to the next in the series, with each tray moving teeth approximately 0.25 to 0.33 millimeters. While the average treatment time is 13.5 months, many cases are completed in 10-24 months, and some simple corrections can take as little as 6 months.

Key benefits include a nearly invisible appearance, the convenience of being removable, no dietary restrictions, and easier brushing and flossing compared to braces.

As Dr. Kyle Bogan, a distinguished general dentist and Fellow in both the International College of Dentists and the Academy of General Dentistry, I have helped countless patients achieve their ideal smiles with clear aligners. My commitment to advanced dental innovation ensures every patient at North Orange Family Dentistry receives the most effective and comfortable treatment available.

Infographic showing the step-by-step process of clear aligner treatment: initial consultation and 3D scanning, custom aligner fabrication, sequential tray changes every 1-2 weeks, gradual tooth movement over 10-24 months, and final results with retainer maintenance - clear aligners infographic

Clear aligners definitions:

Your Journey with Clear Aligners: What to Expect

Starting a journey with clear aligners is an exciting step toward a healthier smile. This guide will walk you through how the treatment works, what to expect, and what daily life will be like during the process.

How Clear Aligners Work and What They Can Fix

Clear aligner treatment uses advanced technology to gently guide your teeth into their ideal positions. The process begins with state-of-the-art 3D digital scans of your teeth, creating a precise digital map of your mouth. Our team uses this map to plan every step of your smile change.

From this plan, a series of custom-made trays are fabricated from smooth, BPA-free plastic. Each aligner is designed to apply gentle, consistent pressure, moving your teeth about 0.25 to 0.33 millimeters at a time. This careful, incremental movement is the key to their effectiveness. For a deeper look at the science, see this scientific research on orthodontic tooth movement.

Clear aligners are versatile and can correct many mild to moderate dental issues, including:

  • Gapped teeth: Closing unwanted spaces for a more even smile.
  • Crowded teeth: Creating space to align overlapping teeth.
  • Overbite & Underbite: Correcting the vertical overlap of front teeth.
  • Crossbite: Adjusting upper teeth that sit inside the lower teeth.
  • Crooked teeth: Gently guiding teeth into a straight line for improved function and aesthetics. Learn more from our resource on Aligners for Crooked Teeth.

This precise, adaptable technology allows us to create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve a healthy, straight smile.

Eligibility: Is This Treatment Right for You?

While clear aligners are an excellent option for many, a consultation is needed to determine if they are the right fit for your specific needs and lifestyle. We will perform a thorough examination to assess your oral health and discuss your smile goals.

a dentist and patient looking at a screen with a 3D dental scan - clear aligners

Generally, clear aligners are best for:

  • Teens and adults with fully grown permanent teeth.
  • Individuals with good oral health, free of untreated cavities or gum disease.
  • Those who can commit to wearing the aligners for the prescribed 20-22 hours per day.
  • Patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues, such as crowding, gaps, or minor bite problems.

However, clear aligners may not be the ideal solution for everyone. Complex cases involving severe jaw discrepancies, significant tooth rotations, or major bite issues may be better addressed with traditional braces. A professional consultation is essential to evaluate your unique situation and recommend the most effective path to your dream smile.

Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

When considering teeth straightening, many patients weigh the pros and cons of clear aligners versus traditional braces. Both are effective at creating straighter smiles and correcting bite issues, but they differ in key ways. This comparison can help you decide which option best suits your lifestyle.

FeatureClear AlignersTraditional Braces
AestheticsNearly invisible, very discreet.Visible metal or ceramic brackets and wires.
ComfortSmooth plastic, less irritation to cheeks and gums.Brackets and wires can cause initial soreness and irritation.
RemovabilityRemovable for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.Fixed to teeth, not removable until treatment is complete.
Dietary FreedomNo food restrictions (aligners removed for meals).Restrictions on sticky, hard, or crunchy foods.
Oral HygieneEasier to brush and floss normally.More challenging to clean around brackets and wires.
Check-up Freq.Typically every 6-8 weeks.Typically every 4-6 weeks.

For a more in-depth look, explore our comprehensive Guide to orthodontic options and what to consider.

The Treatment Process, Timeline, and Cost

Your journey with clear aligners begins with a consultation at North Orange Family Dentistry, where we perform a full check-up and take 3D digital scans. These scans allow us to map out your entire treatment and even show you a preview of your future smile.

a set of clear aligner trays in their case - clear aligners

The Process and Timeline:Once your custom aligners are ready, you will wear each set for one to two weeks before switching to the next. This sequence creates the gentle, steady force that moves your teeth. We will schedule periodic check-ups to monitor your progress. The average treatment time is 13.5 months, but most cases range from 10 to 24 months. Simpler cases can be completed in as little as 10 weeks to 6 months. We will provide a personalized timeline at your consultation.

Daily Wear, Care, and Comfort:For the best results, you must wear your aligners for 20-22 hours daily, removing them only to eat, drink anything other than cool water, brush, and floss. Clean your aligners daily with a soft toothbrush and cool water, and always store them in their protective case. It's normal to feel some pressure for a day or two with each new set of aligners—this is a sign they are working. This mild discomfort typically fades quickly.

Cost Considerations:The cost of clear aligner treatment varies based on case complexity and treatment duration. At North Orange Family Dentistry, we are committed to making care affordable. For patients without dental insurance, our Dental Wellness Plan is an excellent option. This plan provides individuals and families with access to necessary yearly dental care at a discounted price, ensuring financial concerns don't stand in the way of a healthy smile. Learn more about factors affecting cost in our article on the Average Price of Invisalign.

Life After Treatment and Achieving Lasting Results

Congratulations on completing your clear aligner treatment! To ensure your beautiful new smile lasts a lifetime, the final step is wearing a retainer. This is a crucial part of any orthodontic process.

Why Retainers Are Essential for Your New Smile

After treatment, your teeth need time to stabilize in their new positions. Without a retainer, teeth can shift back toward their original alignment in a process called orthodontic relapse. Consistently wearing your retainer is the only way to protect your investment and maintain your results.

a clear retainer on a model of teeth - clear aligners

We will provide a custom retainer, often a clear removable one similar to your aligners. Your wear schedule will be personalized, typically transitioning to nighttime wear for the long term. This simple habit preserves your straight smile. For more details, visit our page on the Clear Aligner Retainer.

Partnering with an Expert for Your Clear Aligner Treatment

Choosing the right dental provider is key to a successful outcome. At North Orange Family Dentistry, we combine advanced technology with a patient-first approach. Led by Dr. Kyle Bogan, a highly awarded dentist in Lewis Center, Ohio, our team is committed to excellence.

We use tools like the 3Shape TRIOS® Intraoral Scanner for precise, comfortable digital impressions—no more messy molds. This technology provides the perfect foundation for your custom clear aligners. Our team is dedicated to supporting you through every step, ensuring a five-star patient experience.

Ready to transform your smile? We invite you to schedule a consultation and let us help you achieve the confident, healthy smile you deserve. Start your Invisalign journey with us.

Additional Services and Unique Advantages at North Orange Family Dentistry

Beyond clear aligners, North Orange Family Dentistry is a comprehensive practice in Lewis Center, Ohio, offering a full spectrum of dental services for your entire family. We are your partners in achieving lifelong dental wellness.

Our services include:

  • Emergency Dental Care: We offer prompt treatment for dental emergencies, often with same-day appointments.
  • Advanced Laser Treatments: We use cutting-edge lasers for TMJ pain relief, accelerated canker sore healing, and gentle periodontal disease treatment.
  • Restorative Dentistry: We provide durable solutions to restore your smile's function and appearance, including single-tooth dental implants (average cost ~$4500), crowns, and root canal therapy.
  • Cosmetic Dentistry: Improve your smile with professional teeth whitening, tooth bonding, and custom veneers.
  • General and Preventative Care: The foundation of a healthy smile is regular oral hygiene & wellness check-ups.
  • Other Specialized Services: We also offer Botox for therapeutic and aesthetic purposes and custom-fit digital dentures.

We believe everyone deserves access to top-tier dental care. For patients without insurance, our Dental Wellness Plan is an affordable solution for individuals and families to receive the yearly care they need at a discounted price.

At North Orange Family Dentistry, we promise personalized, affordable dental services for all ages, powered by advanced technology and the expertise of Dr. Kyle Bogan. We are dedicated to creating five-star patient experiences for the Lewis Center and Delaware, Ohio communities.

An Introduction to Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a modern orthodontic solution that uses a series of transparent, removable trays to gradually straighten teeth. As a discreet and convenient alternative to traditional metal braces, they are a popular choice for adults and teens. These custom-made plastic trays fit snugly over your teeth, applying gentle pressure to guide them into their ideal position. They are worn 20-22 hours a day but are removed for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene.

What can clear aligners treat?

  • Gapped, crowded, or crooked teeth
  • Overbite and underbite
  • Crossbite
  • Other mild to moderate orthodontic issues

How do they work?Each aligner tray is worn for 1-2 weeks before moving to the next in the series, with each tray moving teeth approximately 0.25 to 0.33 millimeters. While the average treatment time is 13.5 months, many cases are completed in 10-24 months, and some simple corrections can take as little as 6 months.

Key benefits include a nearly invisible appearance, the convenience of being removable, no dietary restrictions, and easier brushing and flossing compared to braces.

As Dr. Kyle Bogan, a distinguished general dentist and Fellow in both the International College of Dentists and the Academy of General Dentistry, I have helped countless patients achieve their ideal smiles with clear aligners. My commitment to advanced dental innovation ensures every patient at North Orange Family Dentistry receives the most effective and comfortable treatment available.

Infographic showing the step-by-step process of clear aligner treatment: initial consultation and 3D scanning, custom aligner fabrication, sequential tray changes every 1-2 weeks, gradual tooth movement over 10-24 months, and final results with retainer maintenance - clear aligners infographic

Clear aligners definitions:

Your Journey with Clear Aligners: What to Expect

Starting a journey with clear aligners is an exciting step toward a healthier smile. This guide will walk you through how the treatment works, what to expect, and what daily life will be like during the process.

How Clear Aligners Work and What They Can Fix

Clear aligner treatment uses advanced technology to gently guide your teeth into their ideal positions. The process begins with state-of-the-art 3D digital scans of your teeth, creating a precise digital map of your mouth. Our team uses this map to plan every step of your smile change.

From this plan, a series of custom-made trays are fabricated from smooth, BPA-free plastic. Each aligner is designed to apply gentle, consistent pressure, moving your teeth about 0.25 to 0.33 millimeters at a time. This careful, incremental movement is the key to their effectiveness. For a deeper look at the science, see this scientific research on orthodontic tooth movement.

Clear aligners are versatile and can correct many mild to moderate dental issues, including:

  • Gapped teeth: Closing unwanted spaces for a more even smile.
  • Crowded teeth: Creating space to align overlapping teeth.
  • Overbite & Underbite: Correcting the vertical overlap of front teeth.
  • Crossbite: Adjusting upper teeth that sit inside the lower teeth.
  • Crooked teeth: Gently guiding teeth into a straight line for improved function and aesthetics. Learn more from our resource on Aligners for Crooked Teeth.

This precise, adaptable technology allows us to create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve a healthy, straight smile.

Eligibility: Is This Treatment Right for You?

While clear aligners are an excellent option for many, a consultation is needed to determine if they are the right fit for your specific needs and lifestyle. We will perform a thorough examination to assess your oral health and discuss your smile goals.

a dentist and patient looking at a screen with a 3D dental scan - clear aligners

Generally, clear aligners are best for:

  • Teens and adults with fully grown permanent teeth.
  • Individuals with good oral health, free of untreated cavities or gum disease.
  • Those who can commit to wearing the aligners for the prescribed 20-22 hours per day.
  • Patients with mild to moderate orthodontic issues, such as crowding, gaps, or minor bite problems.

However, clear aligners may not be the ideal solution for everyone. Complex cases involving severe jaw discrepancies, significant tooth rotations, or major bite issues may be better addressed with traditional braces. A professional consultation is essential to evaluate your unique situation and recommend the most effective path to your dream smile.

Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

When considering teeth straightening, many patients weigh the pros and cons of clear aligners versus traditional braces. Both are effective at creating straighter smiles and correcting bite issues, but they differ in key ways. This comparison can help you decide which option best suits your lifestyle.

FeatureClear AlignersTraditional Braces
AestheticsNearly invisible, very discreet.Visible metal or ceramic brackets and wires.
ComfortSmooth plastic, less irritation to cheeks and gums.Brackets and wires can cause initial soreness and irritation.
RemovabilityRemovable for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.Fixed to teeth, not removable until treatment is complete.
Dietary FreedomNo food restrictions (aligners removed for meals).Restrictions on sticky, hard, or crunchy foods.
Oral HygieneEasier to brush and floss normally.More challenging to clean around brackets and wires.
Check-up Freq.Typically every 6-8 weeks.Typically every 4-6 weeks.

For a more in-depth look, explore our comprehensive Guide to orthodontic options and what to consider.

The Treatment Process, Timeline, and Cost

Your journey with clear aligners begins with a consultation at North Orange Family Dentistry, where we perform a full check-up and take 3D digital scans. These scans allow us to map out your entire treatment and even show you a preview of your future smile.

a set of clear aligner trays in their case - clear aligners

The Process and Timeline:Once your custom aligners are ready, you will wear each set for one to two weeks before switching to the next. This sequence creates the gentle, steady force that moves your teeth. We will schedule periodic check-ups to monitor your progress. The average treatment time is 13.5 months, but most cases range from 10 to 24 months. Simpler cases can be completed in as little as 10 weeks to 6 months. We will provide a personalized timeline at your consultation.

Daily Wear, Care, and Comfort:For the best results, you must wear your aligners for 20-22 hours daily, removing them only to eat, drink anything other than cool water, brush, and floss. Clean your aligners daily with a soft toothbrush and cool water, and always store them in their protective case. It's normal to feel some pressure for a day or two with each new set of aligners—this is a sign they are working. This mild discomfort typically fades quickly.

Cost Considerations:The cost of clear aligner treatment varies based on case complexity and treatment duration. At North Orange Family Dentistry, we are committed to making care affordable. For patients without dental insurance, our Dental Wellness Plan is an excellent option. This plan provides individuals and families with access to necessary yearly dental care at a discounted price, ensuring financial concerns don't stand in the way of a healthy smile. Learn more about factors affecting cost in our article on the Average Price of Invisalign.

Life After Treatment and Achieving Lasting Results

Congratulations on completing your clear aligner treatment! To ensure your beautiful new smile lasts a lifetime, the final step is wearing a retainer. This is a crucial part of any orthodontic process.

Why Retainers Are Essential for Your New Smile

After treatment, your teeth need time to stabilize in their new positions. Without a retainer, teeth can shift back toward their original alignment in a process called orthodontic relapse. Consistently wearing your retainer is the only way to protect your investment and maintain your results.

a clear retainer on a model of teeth - clear aligners

We will provide a custom retainer, often a clear removable one similar to your aligners. Your wear schedule will be personalized, typically transitioning to nighttime wear for the long term. This simple habit preserves your straight smile. For more details, visit our page on the Clear Aligner Retainer.

Partnering with an Expert for Your Clear Aligner Treatment

Choosing the right dental provider is key to a successful outcome. At North Orange Family Dentistry, we combine advanced technology with a patient-first approach. Led by Dr. Kyle Bogan, a highly awarded dentist in Lewis Center, Ohio, our team is committed to excellence.

We use tools like the 3Shape TRIOS® Intraoral Scanner for precise, comfortable digital impressions—no more messy molds. This technology provides the perfect foundation for your custom clear aligners. Our team is dedicated to supporting you through every step, ensuring a five-star patient experience.

Ready to transform your smile? We invite you to schedule a consultation and let us help you achieve the confident, healthy smile you deserve. Start your Invisalign journey with us.

Additional Services and Unique Advantages at North Orange Family Dentistry

Beyond clear aligners, North Orange Family Dentistry is a comprehensive practice in Lewis Center, Ohio, offering a full spectrum of dental services for your entire family. We are your partners in achieving lifelong dental wellness.

Our services include:

  • Emergency Dental Care: We offer prompt treatment for dental emergencies, often with same-day appointments.
  • Advanced Laser Treatments: We use cutting-edge lasers for TMJ pain relief, accelerated canker sore healing, and gentle periodontal disease treatment.
  • Restorative Dentistry: We provide durable solutions to restore your smile's function and appearance, including single-tooth dental implants (average cost ~$4500), crowns, and root canal therapy.
  • Cosmetic Dentistry: Improve your smile with professional teeth whitening, tooth bonding, and custom veneers.
  • General and Preventative Care: The foundation of a healthy smile is regular oral hygiene & wellness check-ups.
  • Other Specialized Services: We also offer Botox for therapeutic and aesthetic purposes and custom-fit digital dentures.

We believe everyone deserves access to top-tier dental care. For patients without insurance, our Dental Wellness Plan is an affordable solution for individuals and families to receive the yearly care they need at a discounted price.

At North Orange Family Dentistry, we promise personalized, affordable dental services for all ages, powered by advanced technology and the expertise of Dr. Kyle Bogan. We are dedicated to creating five-star patient experiences for the Lewis Center and Delaware, Ohio communities.

The Complete Guide to Clear Aligners

Contact Us

Have any questions? Want to learn more?

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.