Check-up and Digital Imaging
A six-monthly examination: intraoral check, digital X-ray if needed and a written summary of the day. A record is kept even when nothing is found; the next check-up is compared against it.
DetailsClear aligners are thin transparent trays that sit over the teeth, each moving them one step further. A digital impression is taken with an intraoral scanner, the movement is planned on a computer and the final position is shown at the start.
Who it suits
Crowding, gaps and mild-to-moderate bite problems. In serious skeletal problems or where a tooth must be rotated a great deal, braces may be more suitable; that is said at the consultation.
How it goes
- Digital scan and photographs
- Plan on the computer; the total number of aligners is set
- Aligners changed every 7–14 days; worn 20–22 hours a day
- Small tooth-coloured attachments are bonded to some teeth
- Check-ups every six to eight weeks
Duration and retention
Simple cases take 6 months, moderate ones 12–18. When treatment ends, a night retainer or a thin wire behind the teeth stops them moving back.
This page is general information and does not replace a dental examination. Whether the treatment suits you, and the method and duration, are decided only after an intraoral examination and radiographic assessment.
After treatment
Take the aligner out for anything other than water and brush before putting it back. Rinse it in lukewarm water, never hot. If one is lost, do not skip to the next; call the clinic.
The information on this page is for general guidance and does not replace a dental examination. Treatment decisions are made after an intraoral examination and radiographic assessment.