The Clear Aligner Treatment Process
For adults considering clear aligners: the stages of treatment in general, how often each comes, and pages on five of them. The core point, from British Orthodontic Society guidance: aligners move teeth in small steps to a plan and stay in day and night, apart from meals.
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Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
What are the steps of aligner treatment, in general?
In general, treatment runs from assessment and planning, through a series of aligners, to retainers; your plan sets the stages and timing.
| Stage | When, and how often, in general |
|---|---|
| Assessment and diagnosis | Before planning starts |
| Scan and digital plan | Before the aligners are made |
| Attachments | Where the plan uses them |
| Interproximal reduction (IPR) | During treatment, where the plan needs space |
| Aligner series | Each aligner in turn, day and night apart from meals |
| Reviews | Throughout treatment; review interval depends on the case |
| Refinement | After the first series, where teeth fall short of the plan |
| Retainers | After active treatment, long term |
Which stages have their own page?
In general, a digital scan feeds a 3D plan, shown as a simulation of the planned movement before aligners are made. More is on our page about the aligner treatment plan.
Attachments are composite shapes on the teeth. What they involve, and what the evidence shows, are covered under aligner attachments.
The British Orthodontic Society says IPR makes room for alignment by taking enamel, up to 0.5 mm, off the sides of teeth, warns that taking too much can harm the teeth, and advises understanding fully what is involved before agreeing. See interproximal reduction.
A refinement adds further aligners after the first series, where teeth fall short of their planned positions. How often one is needed, and how it affects timing, are covered under aligner refinement.
Aligners are removable, so the daily hours of wear rest with you. Why those hours matter is explained on the page about how long to wear aligners each day.
To ask about aligner treatment, book online or call 0114 288 2121.
Which topics sit outside this section?
For suitability, see the options in the suitability section; for cleaning, eating and comfort, browse the living with aligners section.
The complete guide to clear aligner treatment goes deeper, the biology of how teeth move has its own page, and our main page covers straightening teeth with removable aligners.
Is aligner treatment offered at Deepcar Dental Care?
Yes, for adults only. Our dentists provide clear aligner treatment with Smartee clear aligners, the system used at the practice, for problems including mild to moderate crowding and spacing; bite correction is also offered. Extraction and complex cases are each assessed case by case; some need braces or a combined approach.
Frequently asked questions
How long does aligner treatment take from start to finish?
It depends how far your teeth must move. As general guidance, small corrections to the front teeth may take a matter of months, while more extensive treatment often takes 12 months or longer, and the 3D plan sets out the planned length before you commit.
Do dental check-ups continue during aligner treatment?
They should. Aligners are a form of orthodontic treatment, and the British Orthodontic Society says teeth face greater risk during orthodontic treatment, so regular contact with your dentist matters particularly. Ask your dentist how often to book check-ups while treatment is under way.
Should you start aligners if you cannot keep regular appointments?
Not advisable. British Orthodontic Society advice on adult orthodontic treatment in general is that appointments are usually needed every four to ten weeks, and starting is not advisable if you know you could not keep them. The aligner review interval depends on the case.
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Call during opening hours, 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday, or book online. Feedback on the practice as a whole is on our patient reviews page.
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