FIRST STEP
Assess your teeth, gums and bite
Adult Orthodontics • Balwyn North
Clear Aligners
A discreet approach to straightening your teeth.
Clear aligners are removable orthodontic appliances that gradually move teeth through a planned series of stages. Your treatment begins with an individual assessment of your teeth, bite and smile before your orthodontic plan is developed.
Clear aligners are not suitable for every orthodontic concern. Treatment recommendations are made following individual dental and orthodontic assessment.
YOUR ORTHODONTIC ASSESSMENT
Considering clear aligners? We assess the teeth and bite first.
Some patients want straighter teeth for cosmetic reasons, others have functional or bite concerns. Either way, clear aligner treatment begins with a thorough assessment before any treatment is recommended.
Tooth position
Crowding · spacing · rotation
Bite assessment
How your upper and lower teeth meet
Gum & bone health
Supporting structures before tooth movement
X-ray findings
Bone levels and root lengths
Digital scanning
Mapping tooth positions and movements
Treatment goals
Your preferences and what is achievable
Clear aligners are not suitable for every patient or every type of tooth movement.
If your needs would be better managed by a specialist orthodontist, we can discuss referral
as part of your individual treatment planning.
YOUR TREATMENT, AT A GLANCE
Clear aligners.
A series of removable trays gradually moves teeth according to a plan made for your smile and bite.
DIGITAL RECORDS
Scan, photos and X-rays as needed
TREATMENT PLAN
Tooth movements planned in stages
REMOVABLE TRAYS
Changed as treatment progresses
DAILY WEAR
Generally 20–22 hours a day
ATTACHMENTS
Tooth-coloured shapes if required
PROGRESS REVIEWS
Check movement and fit over time
RETENTION
Retainers help maintain the result
These are general guides. Clear aligners are not suitable for every bite or tooth movement. Your dentist will explain your expected treatment time, wear instructions, costs and retention plan after assessment.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Considering clear aligner treatment.
These details help us understand what you would like to achieve and assess whether clear aligners are appropriate for you.
01
Tell us what you would like to change. Let us know which aspects of your teeth or smile concern you — whether that is crowding, spacing, rotation or the way your teeth meet.
02
Mention any jaw or bite symptoms. Tell us about jaw discomfort, clicking, difficulty biting or any previous orthodontic treatment. These may affect your assessment and treatment options.
03
Update your medical history. Tell us about changes to your health, medicines and any previous reactions to dental materials or local anaesthetic. Do not stop prescribed medicine without advice from your prescriber.
04
Consider whitening timing. If you plan to whiten your teeth, discuss this before orthodontic treatment begins. Whitening is generally easier to manage before aligners are fitted.
05
Allow time to consider your options. Clear aligners are not suitable for every patient or every type of tooth movement. We will explain whether they are appropriate for you and discuss the proposed treatment, appointments and fees before you decide.
Before
After
Aligner Treatment
What kinds of bite can aligners fix?
Clear aligners can be used to manage a range of tooth-alignment and bite concerns.
The amount and type of correction possible varies from person to person. Your teeth, bite and overall orthodontic needs are assessed before determining whether aligners are an appropriate option.
01
Bite Relationship
Overbite
02
Tooth Position
Crowding
03
Tooth Position
Spacing
04
Tooth Position
Rotations
05
Bite Relationship
Crossbite
06
Bite Relationship
Open Bite
07
Bite Relationship
Underbite
08
Alignment
Midline Shift
09
Smile Width
Narrow Smile
10
Smile Relationship
Gummy Smile
Individual Assessment
Seeing your bite type here does not necessarily mean aligners are suitable for you.
The complexity of the bite, tooth position, dental health, jaw relationships and amount of movement required all influence treatment planning.
What are the advantages?
Designed to fit into everyday life.
Clear aligners are thin, removable orthodontic appliances that fit over the teeth and are changed progressively as tooth movement occurs.
Discreet
Clear appearance
The trays are made from clear material and are less visually prominent than traditional metal braces.
Removable
Taken out for eating
Aligners can be removed when eating and when brushing and flossing your teeth.
Oral Hygiene
Easier access for cleaning
Because the trays are removable, you can brush and floss without brackets or wires attached to the teeth.
Suitable Cases
Several alignment concerns
Aligners may be suitable for concerns such as crowding, spacing and some forms of tooth misalignment.
The Commitment
20—22
hours per day
Consistency matters
Aligners only work when you wear them.
Clear aligner treatment requires consistency. The aligners generally need to be worn for around 20 to 22 hours each day, removing them primarily for eating, drinking as directed, brushing and flossing.
Because the trays are removable, patient commitment is an important part of obtaining the planned tooth movement.
Treatment time
How long do aligners take to straighten teeth?
Treatment time varies according to your bite, the amount of tooth movement required and what we are trying to achieve.
~3
months
Smaller changes
A few teeth
Some people only need relatively minor tooth movement and treatment can sometimes be completed in around three months.
6—18
months
More comprehensive
Upper & lower teeth
When both arches require alignment, treatment commonly extends over a longer period.
+
longer
More complex
Individual treatment time
Some bites and tooth movements require substantially longer than the general ranges shown here.
Before Treatment
We will give you an estimated treatment timeframe before you begin.
The estimate is based on your examination and treatment plan. Actual treatment time can vary according to tooth movement, aligner wear and individual response.
Clear aligner results.
Four individual orthodontic cases. View each patient's photographs together.
Clear aligners Case 01
Clear aligners Case 02
Clear aligners Case 03
Clear aligners Case 04
1 / 4
Individual Results
Your teeth, bite and treatment needs will be different.
These photographs show individual patient outcomes and should not be taken as a prediction or guarantee of your result. Orthodontic treatment carries risks and limitations. An individual dental and orthodontic assessment is required to determine whether clear aligners are appropriate for you.
CLEAR ALIGNER FAQs
Questions about clear aligners?
Clear aligner treatment is different for every patient. These are some of the questions we are commonly asked before orthodontic treatment begins.
Book a Consultation →What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics focuses on the position and alignment of the teeth and the way the upper and lower teeth meet. Treatment may be considered where teeth are crowded, spaced, rotated or where the bite requires correction.
At iDental, adult orthodontic assessment considers your teeth, bite and overall smile before treatment options are discussed.
What orthodontic treatment do you offer at iDental?
Our adult orthodontic care includes clear aligner treatment where clinically appropriate.
Assessment may include photographs, digital scanning and dental X-rays so that we can evaluate tooth position, your bite and the movements required.
If your orthodontic needs would be better managed by a specialist orthodontist, we can discuss referral as part of your treatment planning.
Are clear aligners suitable for everyone?
No. Clear aligners can be used for many orthodontic concerns, but they are not the most appropriate option for every patient or every type of tooth movement.
Your dentist will assess your teeth, gums, bite and treatment goals before recommending an orthodontic approach.
How much do clear aligners cost?
The cost of clear aligner treatment depends on the complexity of the tooth movements required and the individual treatment plan.
Following your assessment, we can explain the proposed treatment, expected appointments and associated fees before you decide whether to proceed.
If you have private health insurance, orthodontic benefits depend on your individual policy. We recommend checking your cover directly with your health fund.
What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
Dentists provide a broad range of dental care and may provide orthodontic treatment within their training, experience and scope of practice.
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed additional specialist training in orthodontics and focuses specifically on the diagnosis and management of tooth and jaw alignment.
If specialist orthodontic care is appropriate for your needs, we can discuss referral with you.
What clear aligner system will I use?
We use different clear aligner systems depending on the movements required and your individual orthodontic plan.
Rather than choosing an aligner system first, we begin by assessing your teeth and bite and then discuss the treatment approach that may be appropriate for you.
How do I look after my clear aligners?
Good aligner care helps keep the trays clean and maintains your oral hygiene during treatment.
- Remove your aligners before eating.
- Brush and floss your teeth before replacing them.
- Rinse aligners with cool or lukewarm water.
- Avoid hot water, which may distort the plastic.
- Clean your aligners regularly using the method recommended by your dentist.
- Store them safely in their case when they are not being worn.
What happens after clear aligner treatment?
Retention is an important part of orthodontic treatment. Once your planned tooth movements are complete, retainers are generally used to help maintain the position of your teeth.
We will explain your individual retainer and review instructions when your active aligner treatment is completed.
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