Treatment
Clear aligners
Clear aligners are a series of thin, custom-made, removable trays. Each tray is shaped slightly differently from the one before, and wearing them in order moves your teeth step by step toward a planned position.
At Luminary Orthodontics your aligner treatment is planned and supervised by an orthodontist from the first scan to your retainers. Whether aligners suit you is decided at your complimentary Smile Analysis.
Awaiting clinical review by Dr. Camille J. Rose Kong, orthodontist.
Who are clear aligners for?
Clear aligners can suit teens and adults who want a removable option and will wear it as directed. They are often considered for:
- Mild to moderate crowding or spacing.
- Teeth that have shifted after earlier orthodontic treatment.
- Many bite corrections, sometimes with small attachments or elastics added to help.
- People who would rather not have fixed brackets for work, sport, or personal reasons.
- Patients who can commit to wearing the trays for most of the day and night.
What is treatment with clear aligners like?
Aligner treatment is simple to live with once you know the routine. Here is how it unfolds.
Records and a plan
At your Smile Analysis we take photographs and digital records of your teeth. Your orthodontist uses them to plan where each tooth needs to finish before a single tray is made.
Your first trays
At your first fitting we check that the trays seat properly, show you how to put them in and take them out, and explain how long to wear each set. Some plans use small tooth-colored bumps, called attachments, that help the trays grip.
Daily wear
You wear your aligners for most of the day and night, taking them out to eat, drink anything other than water, and clean your teeth. You change to the next tray in the series on the schedule your orthodontist sets.
Progress visits
Regular visits let your orthodontist compare how your teeth are moving against the plan. If something is lagging, the plan is adjusted rather than left to drift.
Retainers
When the last tray is finished, retainers keep your teeth in their new positions. We explain the retainer routine before treatment begins so there are no surprises at the end.
How long does aligner treatment take?
How long aligner treatment takes depends on how far your teeth need to move and on how consistently the trays are worn. Small corrections generally take less time than more involved ones.
Wear time matters more with aligners than with any other approach, because a tray only works while it is in your mouth. Your orthodontist gives you an estimated range at your Smile Analysis; your plan may differ, and we explain any change.
What is daily life with aligners like?
- Take your trays out to eat and to drink anything other than plain water.
- Brush your teeth before putting the trays back in, so food is not held against your teeth.
- Keep your trays in their case whenever they are out of your mouth. Most lost trays are wrapped in a napkin at a meal.
- Clean your trays gently with cool water and a soft brush. Hot water can change their shape.
- If a tray cracks, is lost, or stops fitting, call or text us. We will tell you whether to go back to the previous tray or move on to the next one.
Aligners or braces?
Aligners and braces can both straighten teeth well. Aligners are removable and discreet, and they ask you to be disciplined about wear. Braces stay on, so they work whether or not you remember them, and some tooth movements are more predictable with brackets.
Sometimes the answer is both. Hybrid treatment uses braces for part of the work and aligners for the rest. Your orthodontist explains which approach fits your teeth and why, and you decide together.
Questions we are often asked
Are clear aligners right for everyone?
No single approach suits every mouth. Aligners handle many cases well, and some movements are more reliable with braces. We tell you honestly which approach fits your teeth at your Smile Analysis, and we explain the alternatives.
Will aligners affect my speech?
Some people notice a slight lisp for the first day or two with new trays. It usually fades quickly as your tongue gets used to them.
Do aligners hurt?
Each new tray can feel snug and cause some pressure for a day or two. That is a sign the tray is working. Over-the-counter pain relief taken as directed on the label usually helps.
What happens if I lose a tray?
Call or text us. Depending on where you are in your plan, we may ask you to wear the previous tray or move on to the next one while a replacement is arranged.
Can teenagers use aligners?
Yes, when the teen will wear them consistently. We talk this through openly with you and your teen, because wear time decides how well aligners work.
Sources
- Clear Aligners: Discreet Ways to Straighten TeethAmerican Association of Orthodontists. Read September 30, 2026.
- What Are Ceramic Braces?American Association of Orthodontists. Read September 30, 2026.
Your next step
The simplest way to find out what is right for you is a complimentary Smile Analysis. Reserve a time online, or call or text us and we will be glad to help.