Clear aligners
Clear aligners straighten teeth with a series of removable plastic trays, each worn 20 to 22 hours a day for about a week before you switch to the next. No brackets, no wires, and no food restrictions, since the trays come out to eat.
Treatment runs 6 to 18 months depending on how far the teeth need to move. Aligners handle crowding, gaps, and mild to moderate bite issues in teens and adults, with 15 minute checkups every 6 to 8 weeks.
How it works
What to expect
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Scan and plan (45 minutes)
A digital scan replaces putty impressions. Dr. Patel maps the movement plan and you preview the projected end position before committing to anything.
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First fitting (30 minutes)
You receive your first sets of trays. Small tooth-colored attachments are bonded where the plan calls for them, and we walk through the wear schedule.
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Checkups every 6 to 8 weeks (15 minutes)
We check progress against the plan and hand out the next batches of trays. Most patients need 8 to 10 of these visits across treatment.
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Retainers (after 6 to 18 months)
A final scan produces retainers made to the finished position. Nightly wear holds the result; teeth drift back without it.
Who it suits
- Crowding, gaps, or teeth that shifted after earlier braces
- Mild to moderate bite issues; severe cases do better with braces, and the scan visit tells you which
- Teens and adults with all adult teeth in place
- Consistent wearers: trays only work at 20 to 22 hours a day
- Patients who want removable trays instead of brackets and wires
Cost
Pricing
From $2,900
Treatment from $2,900, with complex cases quoted after the scan. Orthodontic benefits vary by plan; we accept 8 plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, and MetLife and file claims the same day.
Before and after
Before
After
Common questions
How long does aligner treatment take?
6 to 18 months for most cases. Minor front-tooth crowding can finish in 6 to 8 months; bite corrections run longer. The scan preview shows your projected timeline.
Do aligners hurt?
Pressure for 1 to 2 days after each new tray is normal and means the teeth are moving. Many patients switch to a new tray at bedtime so the tightest hours pass during sleep.
Can I eat or drink with them in?
Water only. Remove the trays for meals, coffee, and anything sugary, and brush before putting them back so nothing sits against the enamel.
Aligners or braces?
Aligners cover crowding, spacing, and mild to moderate bite issues. Severe rotations or jaw discrepancies do better with braces, and we tell you which at the scan visit.
What keeps the teeth straight afterward?
Retainers made from a final scan, worn nightly. Teeth drift back toward their old positions without them.
See your projected result before you commit
The 45 minute scan visit maps your treatment, shows the projected end position, and ends with a written quote.