Clear aligner treatment, step by step.
Clear aligner treatment is an orthodontic treatment in which the teeth are moved step by step with a series of custom-made aligners. Below you can see what to expect from the first examination to the end of treatment.
- Steps
- 5 stages
- Daily wear
- 20–22 hours
- Total duration
- Varies from case to case
- At every step
- Uzm. Dt. Ahmet Yaşar
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Step 1: First examination and assessment
Your teeth, jaw structure and bite are examined, and your concerns and expectations are discussed. If needed, intraoral and facial photographs and X-rays are taken. At the end of this assessment you will know whether clear aligner treatment is suitable for you and what the alternatives are, if any.
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Step 2: Digital scan and treatment plan
An intraoral scanner creates a 3D model of your teeth. On this model, the order and extent of each tooth movement are planned on the computer. Once planning is complete, we review the predicted result together on a simulation, and you receive information about the estimated duration and the number of aligners.
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Step 3: Delivery of the aligners
Your aligners, made according to the approved plan, are delivered. If the treatment plan requires it, small tooth-coloured bumps (attachments) are placed on some teeth to help the aligners grip them better. Inserting and removing the aligners, cleaning them and the rules of wear are explained in detail.
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Step 4: During treatment
Aligners are worn 20–22 hours a day and removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water and brushing your teeth. You switch to the next aligner at set intervals. It is normal to feel slight pressure during the first day or two with a new aligner. At check-ups, progress is monitored against the plan and, if necessary, refinements are planned.
Don't wait for your appointmentIf an aligner breaks or gets lost, let us know right away by phone or WhatsApp; when needed, your orthodontist will take care of you personally.
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Step 5: End of treatment and retention
When active treatment ends, a retention phase begins to keep the teeth in their new positions. This usually involves a thin wire bonded to the back of the teeth and/or a clear retainer worn at night. Retention is as important as the treatment itself for preserving the result.
How long does treatment take?
The duration depends on the degree of crowding, the type of bite problem and how consistently the aligners are worn. Mild cases can be completed within a few months, while more complex cases may take longer than a year.
We confirm your individual treatment time after the examination and digital planning.
Find out whether it is right for you.
For other questions, see our Frequently Asked Questions.