Treatment
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are custom-made, clear trays that fit closely over your teeth and move them gradually into new positions. Each set applies carefully planned pressure, and you progress through a series of aligners according to the schedule your orthodontist provides.
The American Association of Orthodontists advises wearing aligners for at least 22 hours a day. They come out only for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing, and flossing. Clear aligners can treat many orthodontic problems, but they are not the right option for every patient. Your orthodontist determines whether aligners, braces, or a combination of the two is most appropriate for your teeth, bite, and treatment goals.
Who are clear aligners for?
Clear aligners can be an excellent option for teens and adults who want a discreet, removable treatment and are prepared to wear the trays consistently.
They may be considered for:
- Mild, moderate, and some more complex crowding or spacing.
- Teeth that have shifted after previous orthodontic treatment.
- Many types of bite correction, sometimes with tooth-colored attachments or elastics to help guide specific movements.
- Patients who prefer not to wear fixed brackets because of work, school, sports, appearance, or personal preference.
- Teens and adults who can reliably wear their aligners for the prescribed number of hours each day.
Suitability depends on more than how crooked the teeth appear. The bite, position of the roots, type of movement required, oral health, and the patient's ability to follow the wear schedule all matter.
What is treatment with clear aligners like?
Once you understand the routine, aligner treatment can fit comfortably into everyday life.
Records and a plan.
At your Smile Analysis, we take photographs and digital records of your teeth and bite. Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong uses this information to determine where the teeth need to move and whether clear aligners are the right treatment for you.
Your first aligners.
At your first fitting, we make sure your aligners fit properly and show you how to insert and remove them. We also explain how long to wear each set and when to change to the next one. Some treatment plans include small, tooth-colored attachments that help the aligners grip the teeth and create more precise movements.
Daily wear.
You wear your aligners for most of the day and night, removing them to eat, drink anything other than water, brush, and floss. You change to the next aligner according to the schedule Dr. Rose provides. Consistent wear is one of the most important factors in keeping treatment on track.
Progress visits.
Regular visits allow Dr. Rose to evaluate how your teeth are responding and compare your progress with the treatment plan. If a tooth is not moving as expected, the plan can be adjusted rather than allowing the problem to continue.
Retainers.
Once active treatment is complete, retainers help hold your teeth in their new positions. We explain your retention plan before treatment ends so you know exactly what to expect.
How long does aligner treatment take?
Treatment time depends on how much your teeth need to move, the complexity of your bite, and how consistently you wear your aligners.
A small correction may require less time than a more involved case. More complex movements may require additional aligners, attachments, elastics, or other treatment techniques.
Consistency matters. Aligners can only move teeth while they are being worn. Patients who wear them less than prescribed may experience slower progress or may need changes to their treatment plan. The AAO generally advises aligner wear of about 22 hours per day.
At your Smile Analysis, Dr. Rose provides an estimated treatment range based on your individual needs. That estimate may change as your teeth respond to treatment, and we keep you informed if it does.
How does Dr. Rose approach clear aligners?
Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong takes a health-first, individualized approach to clear aligner treatment.
Every recommendation begins with your teeth, gums, bite, jaw relationships, and overall oral health. The goal is not simply to make the teeth look straighter. The goal is to create a healthy, functional result that also gives you a smile you can feel confident about.
Dr. Rose recommends clear aligners when she believes they are an appropriate and predictable way to achieve the desired result.
If braces would provide better control for certain movements, she will explain why. If a combination of braces and aligners would be more appropriate, she will discuss that option as well.
The appliance should fit the treatment plan, not the other way around.
Your aligner treatment is planned and supervised by Dr. Rose from the initial evaluation through the final result and retention phase.
What is it like to be treated at Luminary?
At Luminary Orthodontics, we believe the quality of your experience matters as much as the quality of your result.
Appointments are designed to feel personal and unhurried. We explain what we are doing, answer your questions before moving forward, and make sure you understand what comes next.
You will know what is expected of you between visits, how your treatment is progressing, and when something needs attention.
Our goal is for you to feel informed, comfortable, and cared for throughout treatment while we work toward a healthy, confident smile.
When treatment is complete, we provide a clear retention plan to help protect your result for the long term.
What is daily life with aligners like?
- Wear your aligners according to the schedule Dr. Rose provides, typically for most of the day and night.
- Remove them before eating.
- Remove them before drinking anything other than water.
- Brush and clean your teeth before putting the aligners back in whenever possible.
- Keep your aligners in their case whenever they are out of your mouth. Placing them in a napkin makes them much easier to lose or accidentally throw away.
- Clean your aligners gently and avoid very hot water, which can distort plastic orthodontic appliances.
- Keep your scheduled orthodontic visits so we can monitor your progress.
- If an aligner is lost, damaged, cracked, or no longer fits properly, contact us. We will tell you the safest next step rather than having you guess which tray to wear.
Aligners or braces?
Both clear aligners and braces work well when they are used for the right patient and the right type of tooth movement.
Clear aligners are removable and discreet. They make eating and brushing easier because the trays can be taken out. The tradeoff is responsibility. They only work when they are worn consistently.
Braces remain attached to the teeth throughout treatment. There is nothing to remember to put back in, and they can provide excellent control for tooth movements that may be less predictable with removable aligners.
For some patients, the right answer is a combination of both. Hybrid treatment may use braces for certain movements and aligners for another part of treatment.
Dr. Rose explains which approach she believes will provide the most appropriate result for your teeth and why. The decision is made with you, not for you.
Common questions
Are clear aligners right for everyone?
No.
Clear aligners can treat many orthodontic problems, but no single appliance is ideal for every patient or every tooth movement.
Some cases can be treated very effectively with aligners. Others may be more predictable with braces, or with a combination of techniques.
At your Smile Analysis, Dr. Rose evaluates your teeth, bite, treatment goals, and lifestyle and explains which options are appropriate for you.
Will aligners affect my speech?
You may notice a slight change in your speech when you first begin wearing aligners.
Some patients develop a temporary lisp while their tongue adjusts to the trays. For most people, this improves quickly as they become accustomed to wearing them.
Do aligners hurt?
It is normal for a new set of aligners to feel snug or create pressure for a short period.
That pressure is part of the process of moving the teeth. Mild tenderness may occur when you change to a new set, but it usually improves as your mouth adjusts.
If needed and medically appropriate for you, over-the-counter pain medication may be used according to the product directions or the advice of your healthcare provider.
If you experience unusual or persistent pain, contact us.
What happens if I lose a tray?
Contact us rather than deciding on your own which aligner to wear.
Depending on where you are in treatment, Dr. Rose may advise you to return temporarily to your previous aligner, move forward to the next one, or replace the missing tray. The correct choice depends on your individual treatment progress.
Can teenagers use aligners?
Yes. Clear aligners can work very well for many teenagers.
The important question is whether the teen can wear them consistently. Because the trays are removable, treatment depends heavily on following the prescribed wear schedule.
We discuss that responsibility openly with both the teen and the parent before recommending aligners.
Should I see my dentist before aligners?
Yes. Your teeth and gums should be healthy before orthodontic treatment begins.
We recommend being current with your dental examination and professional cleaning and completing any necessary dental treatment before your final orthodontic records or aligner treatment begin.
Regular dental care should also continue throughout orthodontic treatment. The AAO recommends maintaining routine dental visits and professional cleanings while undergoing orthodontic care.
Sources
- Clear Aligners: Discreet Ways to Straighten TeethAmerican Association of Orthodontists. Read September 30, 2026.
- What Are Ceramic Braces?American Association of Orthodontists. Read September 30, 2026.
Your next step
The simplest way to find out what is right for you is a complimentary Smile Analysis. Reserve a time online, or call or text us and we will be glad to help.