Your Guide to Clear Aligners
A balanced guide to clear aligners: how they work, what they can and cannot treat, and what to expect from the start to the end of treatment.
What are clear aligners?
Clear aligners are a type of orthodontic treatment. They use a series of made-to-measure, removable plastic trays. The trays slowly move your teeth into the planned position. They are almost invisible when you wear them. You can take them out to eat, drink and clean your teeth.
Several clear aligner systems are available, including ones designed in-house by practices. They all work in a similar way. But they differ in how complex a case they can treat.
Are clear aligners suitable for me?
Clear aligners work well for many cases, but they do not suit everyone. They tend to work best for:
- Mild to moderate crowding or gaps
- Minor overbites, underbites or crossbites
- Relapse, where teeth have moved back after earlier brace treatment
More complex problems are usually better treated with fixed braces, or with a mix of treatments. These include big differences between the upper and lower jaw, large overbites, or stuck (impacted) teeth. Your dental team or orthodontist will check your case. They will tell you honestly whether aligners can give you the result you want.
How does the treatment work?
Here is what to expect from aligner treatment:
- Assessment and digital planning. Scans or moulds are taken. A computer simulation shows how your teeth are planned to move.
- Attachments (if needed). Small tooth-coloured bumps may be glued to some teeth. They help the aligners grip and move teeth in certain directions.
- Wearing the aligners. You wear each set for 1–2 weeks. Only take them out to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to clean your teeth. You must wear them for at least 20–22 hours a day for treatment to stay on schedule.
- Check-ups. You visit the practice every 6–12 weeks so your progress can be checked.
- Fine-tuning (refinements). You may need extra aligners at the end of the main course to fine-tune the result.
- Retainers (retention). Retainers are essential after treatment to keep your result. Without lifelong retainer wear, teeth will drift back.
Things to know before you start
Clear aligners are popular and work well. But it is important to have realistic expectations:
- Wearing them is everything. Aligners only work if you wear them. If you often take them out or forget to put them back, treatment will not progress and may fail.
- Speech. Some people notice a slight lisp for the first week or two. This usually goes quickly.
- Drinking. Only drink water with your aligners in. Taking them out for other drinks through the day can greatly cut your wear time.
- Results may not match the simulation. The simulation shows the planned result. But teeth do not always move exactly as planned.
- Complexity matters. Very complex cases treated with aligners alone may give disappointing results. An honest check by a suitably qualified clinician is essential.
Risks and possible problems
Common (affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- Soreness and pressure when you start a new set of aligners. This usually settles within 2–3 days.
- Mild changes to your speech at first
- Gum or cheek soreness from the edge of the aligners. This usually goes as you get used to them.
- Slight shortening of tooth roots. Moving teeth often shortens their roots slightly. This is usually minor.
Uncommon (affect about 1 in 10 to 1 in 100 people):
- Treatment does not reach the planned result. You may need extra aligners or a switch to fixed braces.
- Decalcification (white marks) on the teeth. This is less common than with fixed braces. But it can happen if you do not keep your teeth clean.
Rare:
- An attachment comes off a tooth, causing a gap in treatment
- Jaw joint discomfort in people who are prone to it
Questions to ask your dental team
- Is my case suitable for clear aligners, or would fixed braces give a better result?
- How many aligners (stages) do you expect my treatment to need?
- Will I need attachments, and how much will they show?
- What type of retainer will I use after treatment, and for how long?
- What happens if I am not happy with the result at the end of the main course?
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. It is intended to support — not replace — the discussion with your dental team about your individual options, risks, and treatment plan. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances. Your dental team will confirm exact fees and what is suitable for your specific circumstances before you agree to any treatment.
Sources
- Treatment and brace types. British Orthodontic Society.
- Orthodontic treatment: frequently asked questions. British Orthodontic Society.
- Braces. NHS website (nhs.uk), reviewed June 2026.
Links checked 18 October 2026.
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