Clear aligner treatment at Tooth n Care East Maitland

Clear Aligners

Nearly invisible, entirely up to you

A series of clear removable trays, each slightly different, that move teeth a fraction at a time. They work beautifully — but only while they’re in your mouth.

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When It’s Needed

Aligners tend to suit you if

You have mild to moderate crowding, spacing or rotation
You’re an adult who’d rather not wear visible braces at work
Your teeth have shifted since braces years ago
You want to be able to remove the appliance for photographs or a presentation
You’re disciplined enough to wear them 20 to 22 hours a day, every day
You have healthy gums and no untreated decay

At The Appointment

What actually happens

01/

Records & planning

Photographs, X-rays and a digital scan. Your case is planned digitally so we can see the projected movement sequence and give you a realistic timeframe before you commit.

02/

Attachments

Small tooth-coloured bumps are bonded to some teeth to give the trays something to grip. They’re removed at the end, and they’re what makes precise movement possible.

03/

Wearing the trays

Each set is worn 20 to 22 hours daily and changed every one to two weeks. Out for eating, drinking anything but water, and cleaning. Expect pressure for a day or two after each change.

04/

Reviews & retention

Check-ups every six to ten weeks to confirm teeth are tracking to plan. At the end, attachments come off and retainers go in — and stay in the routine indefinitely.

Afterwards

Recovery & aftercare

Wear time is everything. Under about 20 hours a day, teeth stop tracking and treatment stalls or extends.
Take them out for anything other than water — hot drinks warp them and sugary drinks pool against enamel.
Brush your teeth before putting trays back in, or you seal plaque against the enamel for hours.
Rinse trays every time you remove them, and clean them properly daily.
Never store them in a napkin. More aligners are lost to café bins than any other cause.
Keep the previous set until the next one is tracking well — useful if a tray is lost.
Expect a slight lisp for the first few days that resolves.
Wear your retainer at night, indefinitely, or the teeth will drift back.

Alternatives We’d Also Discuss

Other ways to go

Fixed braces

Better for large movements, significant rotations and complex bite correction. They also work continuously, without depending on your discipline.

Ceramic braces

Fixed but discreet — tooth-coloured brackets are a middle ground if you want invisibility without relying on compliance.

Veneers or bonding

For minor alignment concerns where you want a quick cosmetic change rather than actual movement. Faster, but it costs enamel.

Risks & Considerations

The honest downsides

No treatment is risk-free, and you should hear this before you decide rather than afterwards.

Aligners only work when worn. Inconsistent wear is the most common cause of treatment taking longer than quoted, or not finishing as planned.
Complex rotations, large vertical movements and significant bite corrections are less predictable than with fixed braces, and some cases will need braces instead or as well.
Attachments are visible up close — aligners are discreet, not truly invisible.
Pressure and tenderness for one to three days after each tray change is normal.
A temporary lisp is common in the first week.
Trays trap saliva against teeth, so decay risk rises if you eat or drink sugary things with them in, or skip brushing before reinserting.
Attachments can debond and need replacing, and lost trays cost time and money.
Occasionally interproximal reduction — taking a fraction of a millimetre from between teeth — is needed to create space. It’s permanent, though very small.
Relapse is a lifelong tendency. Without retention, teeth move back.

Cost & health funds

Aligner treatment is usually priced as a whole course, including planning, trays, reviews and retainers, and paid in instalments over the treatment period. Health funds with orthodontic cover typically contribute a set amount per year, so treatment spanning two calendar years may attract two years of benefit. Interest-free payment plans are available.

Fees & payment plans →

Get a written plan

Before anything starts you’ll have a written treatment plan with costs, inclusions and any conditions spelled out, plus an estimate of your health fund rebate checked at the desk.

Book an assessment →

This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for personalised advice from a registered dental practitioner. Any dental or surgical procedure carries risks. Individual results vary. Before proceeding with treatment we encourage you to ask questions and, if you wish, seek a second opinion from a qualified health practitioner.