FAQ
Aligner Treatment is the process of wearing a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. No brackets and wires, and none of the restrictions that come with metal braces.
A.lign by Dr. T clear aligners are virtually invisible — people may not even notice you’re wearing them. You can remove them to eat and drink, to brush and floss, or for special occasions. There are no metal brackets or wires that could irritate your mouth or break.
Clear aligners are made from comfortable and transparent FDA-Approved medical grade plastic sourced from the best manufacturers around the world. They are stronger, more hygienic, and more durable than any other aligners on the market today.
Many dental insurance plans cover our treatment the same way they cover braces. Your insurance may pay for a certain percentage of your treatment, or it may pay for a certain dollar amount we will give you the required documents needed to refund for your insurer.
We only treat cases that our orthodontists think are the right fit. Our orthodontists design your treatment plan and we’ll show you a 3D view of how your teeth will change during the treatment. Each aligner in your plan is a step designed in advance, so our orthodontists can continuously monitor your progress to ensure your treatment is going as planned.
Over 30,000 aligners were made since 2017 to transform people’s smiles.
Clear aligners treatment moves your teeth by applying gentle, constant force, but some people do feel temporary discomfort for the first few days of wearing a new set of aligners. Typically, people describe it as feeling “pressure” and it’s normal — it’s a sign your clear aligners are working and transforming your smile.
Please see your doctor if you have any concerns or experience continued discomfort.
We do regular follow-ups as long as your treatment lasts. That way, our orthodontists can keep track of your progress online, and check if everything is going well just like they would do in-clinic !
Yes, clear aligners can treat nearly all common teeth-straightening issues, from simple to complex. Many people who formerly had braces choose A.lign by Dr. T’s treatment as the discrete solution to improve their smile when they find that their teeth have shifted back.
It depends. Talk with your doctor about the dental work you’ve had done, including veneers and crowns, and he or she will evaluate your individual needs.
Clear aligners are designed to move each tooth individually. Because bridgework connects two or more teeth, clear aligners may not be effective. Feel free to contact us so we can check the optimal treatment plan for you.
Once we receive your intraoral scan, we'll need only 1 week to design your custom treatment plan and 3D simulation of what your teeth will look like after the treatment. You can always check out your new smile on your account at any time!
You aligner box comes with everything you need to get you to that beautiful smile. It includes your series of aligners, chewies, an aligner protective case, and a retainer.
It is very unlikely that your aligners would ever fall out, no matter what you are doing: sleeping, talking, laughing, etc. Our aligners are designed to fit snugly around your teeth, so this should not be a cause for concern.
The answer depends on how long you’ve gone without wearing your aligners. If it’s only been a short time, your aligners should still fit, but they might feel uncomfortable. If it’s been a longer time, talk to your doctor about your unique situation.
We include chewies with your treatment to help seat the aligners properly on your teeth. Use them for one minute every time you wear your aligners. Snap on the aligners and hold the chewie between your teeth, chew on it and move it from side to side.
To protect your new smile after completing the aligner treatment, you'll need to wear retainers to keep your teeth from naturally shifting back with time. We'll send you a complimentary retainer at the end of your treatment, but we recommend that you replace your retainers every 6 month
You'll receive a series of aligners for your treatment. For your treatment to go as planned, you need to wear each aligner step for 22 hours a day for 2 weeks , 10 days or even one week according to the movement needed before changing into a new one.
You will need to wear the aligners according to the doctor’s instructions for each aligner.
All the time, even while you sleep! You need to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day. Only take them off to eat and drink, then wash them and pop them back on!
Smoking will stain your invisible aligners yellow. They won’t be invisible anymore and you wouldn’t want that.
During your appointment, our orthodontist will ask you some questions and guide you to take specific photos and the intraoral scan and will decide the duration needed for your treatment.
Cool water. That’s it! You need to remove the aligners when you eat or drink anything other than cool water. Hot materials will distort your aligners, making them ineffective.
You should brush your teeth after each meal and before you wear your aligners again to prevent cavities and discomfort in your teeth. And please make sure that you floss once a day. If you have sensitive teeth and gum use a soft brush.
Yes, not washing your aligners will make the stain and give them bad odor. You can clean them with any soap detergent and a sponge or with a toothbrush and toothpaste but make sure you never use hot water!
You may feel a little sore when you wear your first aligners. This is normal because your teeth are moving. The soreness will disappear after a few days. We find it best to wear a new set of aligners right before going to bed.
Yes. As your aligners gradually shift your teeth into their proper position, your gums are re-forming around each tooth as it moves. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Sure you can! You can whiten your teeth at any time, even during your aligner treatment.
Our mission is to get everyone a smile that they'll love. By sending your aligners straight to you and using remote monitioring technologies, we're cutting down the cost of the monthly clincal visits, making our aligner treatment more affordable than the in-clinic orthodontic alternatives.
It is normal for aligners to feel tight and begin to loosen up after a few days, but it is important that you do not move on to another step before the recommended time. If you are having problems wearing your aligners, please contact us.
All dental work must be done before starting the the treatment. And if any modifications were made to your teeth after sending the impression, please let us know.
You may experience a lisp for a few days while your tongue adjusts to the aligners.
If your plan treats both upper and lower teeth, you should wear them both at the same time. Wearing one arch without the other may hinder the progress and results of the treatment.