Clear Aligner Therapy

Straighten your smile without anyone noticing

Custom, virtually invisible aligner trays planned by our in-house orthodontist and made to move your teeth gradually, comfortably, and on your schedule - no metal, no wires.

Clear aligners are a series of custom, transparent plastic trays that gradually shift your teeth into place — an alternative to traditional metal braces for people with mild-to-moderate alignment concerns. Each tray is worn for one to two weeks before you move on to the next in the series, with your bite inching closer to its final position at every step.

At Dr. Nevin's Family Dental Clinic, every aligner case is diagnosed and planned by our qualified orthodontist, using a full clinical exam and digital scans before any tray is made - so the plan is built around your bite, not a generic template.

Why patients choose aligners

Built to fit into your life, not around it.

A handful of trade-offs make aligners the right call for many adults and teens - here's what tends to matter most.

Nearly invisible

Clear, low-profile plastic that's hard to spot in conversation or photos.
Removable

Take them out to eat, brush, and floss normally - no food restrictions.
Fewer chair visits

Multiple tray stages are planned upfront, so check-ins are spaced further apart.
No metal, no wires

Smooth plastic edges mean less irritation to cheeks, lips, and gums.
Digitally planned

A 3D treatment plan shows the intended tooth movement before you start.
Fits your routine

Worn 20–22 hours a day - around meals, brushing, and photos.

The aligner journey

Six stages, from first scan to final reveal.

Every case is different, but most aligner treatments at the clinic move through the same six stages.

01 · CONSULTATION
Exam & suitability check

Our orthodontist examines your bite and discusses whether aligners suit your case, or if another option fits better.
02 · SCAN
Digital impressions

A digital scan (or physical impression) maps your teeth precisely, without the mess of old-style trays.
03 · PLANNING
3D treatment plan

We map out the tooth-by-tooth movement stage by stage, and you review the plan before any tray is made.
04 · TRAYS ARRIVE
Your custom set

Your full series of trays is fabricated to the approved plan and fitted at the clinic.
05 · WEAR & SWITCH
Change every 1–2 weeks

Wear each tray 20–22 hours a day, moving to the next set on schedule as your teeth shift.
06 · RETENTION
Check-ins & retainer

We review progress at intervals, then fit a retainer once your teeth reach their planned position.

Is this you?

Aligners tend to work well for

Complex bite problems can still need traditional braces or a combined approach — our orthodontist will confirm what's realistic for your case at the consultation, before any trays are ordered.

✓ Mild to moderate crowding of the front teeth
✓ Spacing or small gaps between teeth
✓ Mild overbite, underbite, or crossbite
✓ Teeth that have shifted back after previous braces
✓ Adults and teens who want a low-visibility option for work, school, or events

How it compares

Clear aligners vs. traditional braces

	Clear Aligners	Traditional Braces
Appearance	Nearly invisible	Visible metal or ceramic brackets
Removable	Yes, for eating & brushing	No, fixed in place
Diet restrictions	None - remove before eating	Avoid hard, sticky foods
Oral hygiene	Brush & floss as usual	Requires extra care around brackets
Office visits	Spaced further apart	Adjustments every 4–6 weeks
Best suited for	Mild–moderate cases	Mild to complex cases

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on how much movement your case needs - mild cases can be quicker, more involved cases take longer. Your orthodontist will give you a realistic timeline once your treatment plan is mapped out.

You may feel mild pressure or tightness for a day or two after switching to a new tray in the series - that's the teeth moving. It's usually much less noticeable than the soreness associated with metal braces.

For the treatment to stay on schedule, aligners need to be worn around 20–22 hours a day, removing them mainly for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing.

We recommend removing your aligners before eating or drinking anything besides plain water, to avoid staining or damaging the trays.

Cost depends on how complex your case is and how many tray stages your plan needs. We'll walk you through the specifics during your consultation, once your treatment plan is ready.

For mild-to-moderate alignment issues, aligners can be just as effective as braces. For more complex bite problems, your orthodontist may recommend traditional braces or a combined approach instead.