Clear Aligners
Nearly invisible custom aligner trays straighten mild-to-moderate crowding and spacing without metal brackets.
Straighten your smile without anyone knowing. Clear aligners are nearly invisible custom trays that gently move teeth into alignment—no metal brackets, no wires, no visible orthodontics.
How Clear Aligners Work
Clear aligners use a series of custom-made plastic trays fabricated from 3D scans and advanced computer modeling. Each tray is slightly different from the last, moving your teeth incrementally (about 0.25mm) toward the ideal position. You wear each tray for 1-2 weeks, then progress to the next one in the series.
The process is:
- Digital scan: We take a 3D scan of your teeth (no impressions needed)
- Treatment plan: Computer software shows your teeth’s movement path and final position
- Aligner fabrication: Your custom trays are manufactured
- Weekly changes: You wear each tray for the prescribed time, then switch to the next
- Checkups: We monitor progress every 4-6 weeks
- Completion: Your teeth are now straighter
Who’s a Candidate
Clear aligners work best if you have:
- Mild-to-moderate crowding (teeth slightly overlapped)
- Small gaps between teeth
- Minor bite issues (slight under or overbite)
- Healthy gums and teeth (no active disease or decay)
Aligners are not ideal for severe crowding, extreme rotations, or significant bite problems where tooth roots must move substantially. In those cases, traditional orthodontics or a combination approach may work better.
Treatment Timeline
Most cases take 6-18 months. Simple spacing issues might resolve in 3-6 months. Complex crowding could take 12-18+ months. Treatment duration depends on complexity and patient compliance. Dr. Sekhon will provide a specific estimate after evaluating your case.
The Commitment: 20-22 Hours Daily
For aligners to work, you must wear them 20-22 hours every day. This means all day and night, removing them only to:
- Eat meals
- Drink anything except water (beverage staining can discolor aligners)
- Brush and floss
Inconsistent wear—wearing them only 12-14 hours daily—significantly slows progress. Each tray applies gentle pressure over time; if you’re not wearing them enough hours, the teeth don’t move as planned. Treatment timelines slip, and you may not achieve your final result.
However, the tradeoff is excellent: unlike traditional braces where you cannot remove brackets, aligners give you freedom during eating and home care. Most patients find the compliance worthwhile.
If you’re not confident you can wear aligners 20-22 hours daily, we recommend discussing traditional braces or alternative cosmetic solutions like veneers, which might better suit your lifestyle.
Maintenance and Excellent Oral Hygiene
A major advantage of clear aligners is that you can remove them to maintain perfect oral hygiene—something impossible with traditional braces. Patients with aligners have less plaque and tartar buildup, healthier gums, and fewer cavities than braces patients.
Daily care is simple:
- Remove aligners before eating or drinking anything but water
- Brush and floss your teeth normally—no special tools needed
- Clean your aligners by rinsing them in warm water
- Store them in the provided case when not wearing them
- Occasionally soak aligners in denture cleaner for 30 minutes to sanitize
Never use hot water on aligners—heat can warp the plastic and affect fit. Never use toothpaste to clean aligners—the abrasive will scratch them and make them more visible.
Pain, Discomfort, and Adjustment
When you first wear a new aligner, you’ll feel gentle pressure as teeth begin moving. This is normal and means the treatment is working. Most patients experience mild discomfort for a few days after changing to a new tray, then adapt completely. The pressure decreases as days pass and teeth shift into alignment.
If an aligner feels extremely uncomfortable or causes sharp pain, contact Dr. Sekhon. Sometimes adjustments are needed. Some patients find over-the-counter pain relievers helpful for the first day or two of each new tray.
Cost Considerations
Clear aligner treatment is a significant investment, typically comparable to traditional braces. However, it’s often less expensive than veneers or other cosmetic solutions if crowding is moderate. We offer flexible financing options through Cherry, CareCredit, and Sunbit—ask Dr. Sekhon about payment plans to make treatment accessible.
Why Choose Clear Aligners Over Braces or Veneers?
- Invisible: Nearly undetectable (much less noticeable than metal braces)
- Removable: Eat any food, maintain perfect oral hygiene
- No wires or brackets: No sharp edges, faster and more comfortable
- Fewer appointments: Less chairtime than braces
- Faster completion: Often 6-18 months vs. 2-3 years for braces
- Achieves your natural teeth: Instead of changing tooth shape (veneers), aligners align your actual teeth
The downside compared to veneers: if you have stains, chips, or discoloration, aligners won’t fix those. If you have severe crowding, multiple missing teeth, or significant bite problems, aligners may not be ideal.
Related Cosmetic Options
If your smile concerns include not just alignment but also stains or chips, consider combining aligners with professional teeth whitening and dental bonding. This creates dramatic overall smile transformation. Ask Dr. Sekhon about combination cosmetic plans.
The Thrive Dental Advantage
At Thrive Dental’s five Northern California locations—Dixon, Elk Grove, Yuba City, Stockton, and Santa Clara—Dr. Sekhon uses the latest aligner technology and 3D treatment planning software. We’ll ensure your aligners fit perfectly, monitor your progress closely at check-ups, and make adjustments as needed to achieve your desired smile.
Many of our patients tell us that the combination of invisible treatment and the ability to eat normally makes clear aligners far preferable to traditional braces, especially for adults and teenagers concerned about appearance.
Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation
Ready to explore clear aligners for your smile? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Sekhon. We’ll examine your teeth, discuss your goals, take 3D scans, show you a digital preview of your potential final result, and explain what treatment would involve. You can book at www.zocdoc.com/practice/thrive-dental-140962 or call your nearest Thrive Dental location to get started.
Enhance Straightened Teeth with Other Cosmetic Services
After straightening with aligners, consider professional teeth whitening for brightness, dental bonding to fix remaining chips or gaps, or gum contouring for smile balance. Visit any of our five Northern California locations or schedule your consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear aligners use a series of custom-made plastic trays that apply gentle, consistent pressure to move teeth gradually. Each tray is slightly different, moving teeth 0.25mm at a time. You change to a new tray every 1-2 weeks as your teeth progress.
Aligners work best for mild-to-moderate crowding, spacing (gaps), and bite issues. They cannot correct severe misalignment, significant bite problems, or rotate extremely rotated teeth. Dr. Sekhon will evaluate your specific case.
Most cases take 6-18 months depending on the complexity of movement needed. Minor spacing issues may take 3-6 months. Severe crowding might take longer. Dr. Sekhon will estimate your timeline at consultation.
You must wear aligners 20-22 hours daily for best results. This means wearing them all day and night, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. Inconsistent wear slows progress significantly.
Nearly invisible, yes. They're made of clear plastic that's much less noticeable than traditional metal brackets and wires. Most people won't notice you're wearing them.
Yes. You remove aligners to eat and drink everything except water. This is a major advantage over traditional braces. You can enjoy all your favorite foods without restrictions.
You'll feel gentle pressure as teeth move, which is normal and typically subsides after a few days with each new tray. There are no sharp edges or wires. Most patients find them very comfortable compared to traditional braces.
Contact Dr. Sekhon immediately. Wearing an old tray or going without one can slow progress. We can usually replace it quickly. Most cases have buffer trays made for this reason.
Related Services
Dental Bonding
Tooth-colored composite bonding fixes chips, gaps, and discoloration in one visit—no tooth removal required.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening brightens your smile by multiple shades in a single visit using advanced bleaching agents.
Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers are custom shells that transform chips, gaps, discoloration, and misalignment into a perfect smile.
Get Clear Aligners Near You
Ready for Clear Aligners?
Schedule your appointment at any of our five Northern California locations. Our team is here to help you achieve the smile you deserve.