--- title: "Teeth Straightening: Invisalign and Clear Aligners" description: "Learn how clear aligners straighten teeth, who they suit, how they compare with braces, and why retainers matter. Town Center Dental explains each step." url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-straightening publisher: Town Center Dental phone: +1-636-273-5866 quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment --- ![A hallway between treatment rooms at Town Center Dental](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/_astro/hallway.Dj84KXvm_1KPTgo.avif) # Teeth straightening with Invisalign and clear aligners Teeth straightening with clear aligners uses a series of custom plastic trays that move teeth gradually. Aligners suit many cases of crowding or spacing, but not every bite problem. Your dentist examines your teeth, scans your mouth, and explains your options, your timeline and your retainer plan before you begin. [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866) ## Removable trays You take clear aligners out to eat, drink, brush and floss. ## Not for every bite Aligners treat crowded or crooked teeth and some mild to moderate bite problems. They are not an option for everyone. ## Your effort counts Aligners only work if you wear them as directed and store them safely when they are out. ## A retainer keeps the result Teeth can move back after treatment, so a retainer matters. From first visit to retainer Stage What happens What you do Consultation Your dentist examines your teeth, gums and bite and asks about your goals. Share your goals and health history. Records and scan Photos and a digital scan or molds of your teeth are taken. Hold still and ask questions. Planning The scan is used to map how each tooth will move. A lab makes the aligners. Review the plan and the timeline. Wearing aligners You change trays on a schedule. Small attachments may help trays move teeth. Wear them as directed and keep them clean. Check-ins Your dentist checks that the trays fit and teeth are moving as planned. Bring your trays to visits. Retainer A custom retainer helps hold teeth in their new place. Wear it as your dentist directs. ## Who can use clear aligners? Many teens and adults can. Cleveland Clinic explains that clear aligners treat crowded or crooked teeth, and some mild to moderate bite problems, where the upper and lower teeth do not line up. It also says the treatment is not an option for everyone, and your dentist decides if it is right for you. The American Dental Association notes that healthy teeth can be treated with braces at any age, and adults can have treatment too. Your teeth and gums need to be healthy first, so your dentist checks for decay and gum disease before starting. If aligners are not a good fit, your dentist can talk about braces or about seeing another dental provider for a complex bite. See the [Invisalign](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/invisalign) and [clear aligners](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/clear-aligners) pages for the practice's own descriptions. The glossary explains [malocclusion](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/malocclusion) and [crowded teeth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/crowded-teeth). ## How does treatment work from scan to retainer? It follows a set path. Cleveland Clinic says the process starts with digital pictures and an optical scan or molds of your teeth. Those are used to map how each tooth will move. A lab makes the aligners, and tiny dental attachments may be placed on your teeth to help the aligners move them. You wear a series of trays, switching to the next one on a schedule your dentist gives you. Follow-up visits check the fit and your progress. Cleveland Clinic notes that you may feel pressure or soreness, especially when you start a new tray, and that it typically eases within a few days. When the teeth reach their new place, a retainer holds them there. Ask how long you will wear it each day and for how many years. Ask what to do if a tray cracks or goes missing. Read our [Invisalign vs braces guide](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/invisalign-vs-braces) and the glossary on [aligner attachments](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/aligner-attachments). ## How do aligners compare with braces? They differ in upkeep and sometimes in speed. Cleveland Clinic says aligners generally need fewer restrictions than braces. You take them out to eat and clean your teeth. With braces you may need to avoid certain foods and use new cleaning tools. On the other hand, traditional braces may fix some dental issues more quickly, and none of these treatments is a quick fix. Braces correct a wide range of issues, including crooked, gapped, rotated or crowded teeth, as Cleveland Clinic notes. The American Dental Association says treatment with braces usually runs one to three years, followed by a retainer. Aligners take discipline. They only work if you wear them as directed. Braces stay on without your effort. Your dentist helps you choose based on your teeth, your bite and your habits. See our blog post on [clear aligners for adults over 50](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/clear-aligners-for-adults-over-50) and the [Invisalign vs braces guide](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/invisalign-vs-braces). ## What can aligners not fix, and what happens then? Some bite problems need more than aligners. Cleveland Clinic says clear aligners treat some types of mild to moderate bite problems, and that the treatment is not an option for everyone. Your dentist can tell you whether your bite falls inside that range. Your dentist tells you honestly what aligners can and cannot do for your teeth. That might mean braces, treating gum disease first, or seeing another dental provider for a complex case. It might also mean combining aligners with other care, such as [bonding](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-bonding) or [veneers](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-veneers) after teeth are in place. See [smile makeover](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/smile-makeover) for how treatments fit together. The consultation is the way to find out. Bring your questions and any photos of your smile. [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment) or call (636) 273-5866. ## Why do retainers matter, and how do I plan for the cost? Teeth can move back. Cleveland Clinic explains that your teeth can still move on their own back to their previous position once treatment ends, and wearing a retainer helps keep them in the correct place. Your dentist explains the plan for your retainer. Bring your retainer to checkups. If it cracks or no longer fits, call the office. Our blog post on [why you still need retainers](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/retainers-after-aligners-or-braces-why-you-still-need-them) explains more, and the glossary covers [retainer](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/retainer). For cost, Town Center Dental gives each patient a personal estimate and does not publish prices. Ask what the estimate includes, such as retainers and follow-up visits. Coverage for straightening varies by plan, so check yours. The [insurance and financing page](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/patients/insurance-and-financing) lists what to bring. ## Teeth Straightening at Town Center Dental - [Invisalign](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/invisalign) - [Clear Aligners](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/clear-aligners) ## Questions about teeth straightening [Read the guideInvisalign vs Braces: Which Is Faster, Easier, and Better for Your Bite?](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/invisalign-vs-braces) ### What is the difference between Invisalign and other clear aligners? Invisalign is one brand of clear aligners. Cleveland Clinic describes clear aligners as clear, custom-made plastic devices that fix crowded or crooked teeth. See the practice's Invisalign and clear aligners pages for its own descriptions, and ask the office what applies to you. ### Are clear aligners faster than braces? Not always. Cleveland Clinic says traditional braces may fix some dental issues more quickly than clear aligners, and that none of these treatments is a quick fix. Your dentist estimates your timeline after an exam and scan. ### Can adults use clear aligners? Yes, in many cases. The American Dental Association says healthy teeth can be treated at any age. Your dentist checks your teeth and gums first and decides whether aligners suit your bite. Our blog post covers adults over 50. ### Can I eat with aligners in? No. Cleveland Clinic explains that you take the aligners out to eat and drink, and when you brush and floss. Keep them in a clean case while they are out so they do not get lost or damaged. ### Do I need a retainer after aligners? Yes, your dentist will likely recommend one. Cleveland Clinic says teeth can move back on their own, and a retainer helps keep them in place. Your dentist tells you how long to wear it. ### What if my case is too complex for aligners? Your dentist tells you after the exam. Cleveland Clinic says aligners are not an option for everyone. You may be offered braces, gum treatment first, or referral to another dental provider for a complex bite. ## Related services - [Invisalign](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/invisalign) - [Clear Aligners](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/clear-aligners) - [Smile Makeover](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/smile-makeover) - [Cosmetic Dentistry](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/cosmetic-dentistry) - [Dental Exam](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-exam) ## Sources - [Cleveland Clinic: Clear Aligners: Purpose & Types](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/clear-aligners) - [Cleveland Clinic: Braces: Types & How They Work](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24601-teeth-braces) - [Cleveland Clinic: What Is a Teeth Retainer?](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10899-teeth-retainer) - [ADA MouthHealthy: Braces and orthodontic treatment](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/braces) ## Ready when you are [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)