Clear aligners
Clear aligners are a series of removable plastic trays, each shaped to move your teeth a little. They are for adults whose teeth are crowded, gapped or close unevenly, when Dr. Hussain's scan shows that aligners would suit them.
What happens
The visits, in order
- 01
Step 1: Scan visit
A 3D scan, a talk about what you'd like to change and a look at your gums and teeth.
- 02
Step 2: Plan and estimate
She shows the planned movement on screen and Naomi writes the estimate. You take both home.
- 03
Step 3: Your first set
Maeve fits any attachments, hands you your trays and shows you how to wear and clean them.
- 04
Step 4: Check-ins
Dr. Hussain checks that your teeth are following the plan. The number of visits depends on your plan.
The trays
What wearing them is like
You wear each set most of the day and take it out to eat and to brush. Moving to the next set is a step you do at home, as Dr. Hussain tells you, and a check-in tells us whether the plan is working.
Day to day
Trays come out to eat and to clean your teeth
Only water in the trays, nothing else
A case, so a tray never ends up in a napkin
Before you decide
Comfort, other routes, risks and billing
Comfort
Teeth can feel tight or tender for a few days with each new set. Tell us what's normal for you, and what to do about an edge that rubs.
Other routes
Braces are another way, and some bites need them. Leaving your teeth as they are is also a choice, and Dr. Hussain says what she sees if you wait.
Risks and after-care
Gum disease and cavities are treated first. Roots can shorten in rare cases, and teeth move back without retainers. Dr. Hussain explains the risks before you agree.
How it's billed
You get the estimate in writing before you start, and the fee for the whole course is on it. Insurance and payment are on the fees page.
How fees work
Questions about clear aligners
Can I take the trays out?
Yes, to eat, drink anything but water, and to brush and floss. You wear them most of the day, and Dr. Hussain tells you how much.
What are attachments?
Small tooth-colored bumps bonded to some teeth so a tray can grip and move them. They are taken off at the end.
What if a tray cracks or I lose it?
Call us before you do anything else. Our page on lost or broken appliances says what to do in the meantime.
Will I need retainers?
Yes. Teeth drift without them, so retainers are part of every course.
Planned and checked by Dr. Hussain
Nazia Hussain, DMD, licensed in Arizona. Her orthodontic residency and board status are on her page.