Clear Aligners
Invisible orthodontics, planned digitally
What it
actually is
Clear aligners are a series of thin, transparent trays, each one shaped slightly differently from the last. Worn 20 to 22 hours a day and changed roughly weekly, they apply gentle, continuous pressure that moves teeth a fraction of a millimetre at a time along a path planned in advance.
The technology has advanced far beyond simple crowding. With attachments — small tooth-coloured bumps bonded to specific teeth — aligners can now rotate premolars, upright tipped molars and close extraction spaces, cases that once demanded fixed braces.
Treatment begins with a digital scan and a full simulation. You see the projected end result, and the projected halfway point, before you agree to anything. Roughly two thirds of Dr. Alvarez's aligner patients are adults, many of whom were told as teenagers that they had missed their chance.
Why patients
choose it
Essentially invisible
Most people will not notice you are wearing them across a meeting table.
Removable
Take them out to eat and to clean your teeth. No food restrictions, no wires trapping plaque.
More comfortable
Smooth plastic instead of brackets and wires — no ulcers, no emergency visits for a poking wire.
Predictable
You approve a 3D simulation of the finished result before treatment starts.
Fewer appointments
Reviews every six to eight weeks rather than monthly adjustments.
Step by step
Orthodontic assessment
Full examination, photographs, X-rays and a digital scan. We check jaw joints and airway, not just tooth position.
Digital treatment plan
Your movements are planned tooth by tooth and rendered as a simulation you can watch from start to finish.
Fitting & attachments
Tooth-coloured attachments are bonded where extra grip is needed, and your first aligners are fitted and checked.
Active treatment
You change aligners at home on schedule and see us every six to eight weeks to confirm the teeth are tracking to plan.
Refinement & retention
A short refinement series perfects the detail, then fixed and removable retainers hold the result permanently.
What to
expect after
- Each new aligner feels tight for the first day or two — that tightness is the treatment working.
- A slight lisp for two to three days at the start, which resolves as your tongue adapts.
- Wear time is everything: below 20 hours a day, teeth stop tracking and treatment extends.
- Retention is lifelong. Teeth drift with age whether or not you have had orthodontics.
Diamond-level provider
Dr. Alvarez is among the most experienced aligner clinicians in the region, with 1,800+ cases completed.
Simulation before commitment
You see the projected result, and we discuss its limits, before any payment is taken.
Retention included
Your first set of retainers is part of the fee, not an afterthought.
Frequently
asked
Are aligners as effective as braces?+
For the large majority of cases, yes. For severe skeletal discrepancies or complex extraction cases we will recommend fixed appliances honestly.
Will anyone notice?+
Rarely. The attachments are the most visible part and they are matched to your tooth shade.
Can I drink coffee wearing them?+
Water only. Hot drinks distort the plastic and coloured drinks stain it. Take them out, then rinse before reinserting.
What if I lose one?+
Go back to the previous aligner and call us. We will either advance you or order a replacement.
Am I too old?+
No. Teeth move at any age provided the gums and bone are healthy. Our oldest aligner patient started at 71.