The clear route to smile perfection

Clear aligners are a series of custom-made, transparent plastic trays that gradually move your teeth into the desired position. Unlike traditional fixed braces with metal brackets and wires, aligners are removable, virtually invisible, and don’t require regular tightening appointments. You simply wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before progressing to the next set in the series. They’re particularly popular with adults who want to straighten their teeth discreetly without the aesthetic concerns or dietary restrictions that come with conventional braces.

Treatment time varies depending on the complexity of your case, but most patients complete their aligner treatment in 6-18 months. Simple cases involving minor crowding or spacing might be resolved in as little as six months, whilst more complex cases requiring significant tooth movement may take 18 months or longer. During your initial consultation, we’ll take digital scans of your teeth and use advanced software to show you a predicted treatment timeline specific to your individual needs.

Clear aligners can address a wide range of orthodontic issues, including crowding, spacing, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. However, they’re not appropriate for every case. Severe skeletal discrepancies or very complex tooth movements may still require traditional fixed braces. Additionally, aligners require a high level of patient compliance. You must wear them for 20-22 hours per day to achieve the predicted results. During your consultation, we’ll assess whether clear aligners are the right option for your particular case.

Most patients adapt to wearing aligners within a few days and experience minimal impact on their speech. You might notice a very slight lisp initially as your tongue adjusts to the presence of the aligners, but this typically resolves quickly. Because the aligners are so thin and custom-fitted to your teeth, they’re much less likely to affect your speech than traditional braces. If you have an important presentation or event, you can remove your aligners temporarily, though you should aim to wear them for at least 20 hours per day.

You should remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than plain water. Food particles can get trapped under the aligners and increase your risk of tooth decay, and hot drinks could distort the plastic. After eating, you’ll need to brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in. Whilst this means you need to be organised about oral hygiene, many patients find that it actually encourages healthier eating habits and better dental care. You can drink cold water whilst wearing your aligners without any problem.

The cost of clear aligner treatment varies depending on the complexity of your case and the predicted length of treatment. Simple cases typically start from around £3,950, whilst more comprehensive treatments can range up to £5,500. We’ll provide you with a detailed, personalised quote during your consultation once we’ve assessed your individual needs. We also offer flexible payment plans to help spread the cost of treatment over time, making orthodontics more accessible and manageable for our patients.

After completing your aligner treatment, you’ll need to wear retainers to maintain your new smile. Without retention, there’s a natural tendency for teeth to drift back towards their original positions. This is true after any type of orthodontic treatment, not just aligners. Initially, you’ll wear your retainers full-time (except when eating), then gradually reduce to night-time wear only. We typically recommend lifelong night-time retainer wear to preserve your results permanently. We’ll provide you with detailed instructions on retainer use and care.

Absolutely, and this is something we do regularly at Bella Dental. Many patients choose to straighten their teeth with aligners first, then enhance their smile further with whitening, composite bonding, or veneers. As a specialist prosthodontist, Michael is ideally placed to plan comprehensive smile transformations that combine orthodontics with cosmetic dentistry. We’ll create an integrated treatment plan that addresses both the alignment and aesthetics of your teeth, ensuring each phase of treatment works harmoniously with the others for optimal results.

Both are effective clear aligner systems. Invisalign uses patented SmartTrack material, while ClearCorrect uses tri-layer ClearQuartz plastic. We can recommend the best option based on your specific orthodontic needs.

Yes. Using advanced digital scanning and software, we create a 3D simulation showing exactly how your teeth will move and what your final smile will look like before treatment begins.

Yes, retainers are essential to maintain your results. We provide both fixed and removable retainer options and will advise on the best choice for your long-term outcome.

Modern clear aligners can treat many bite issues including overbite, underbite, and crossbite. More severe cases may require alternative orthodontic approaches, which we can discuss at consultation.