Clinical review: Dr. Samreen Ejaz, BDS, RDS ·
Not every case suits aligners
We offer clear aligners for mild, moderate and some severe cases, but only after a check. Being in a category doesn’t mean aligners will work for you. The kind of movement needed, your bite and your gum health matter as much as how crooked your front teeth look. Some cases do better with braces or need a referral.
Planning
Dr. Samreen examines your mouth and takes the records needed, such as scans, photos or X-rays. We’ll talk about what bothers you, which teeth need to move and how your bite will change. You may see a computer simulation. It helps explain the plan, but real teeth don’t always move exactly as shown, and extra trays are sometimes needed.
You have to wear them
Aligners only work if you wear them as long as we tell you, usually most of the day and night. We’ll explain when to change trays, how we’ll check progress and what to do if one stops fitting. Small tooth-coloured bumps called attachments may be added to some teeth to help them move, and we’ll tell you before we start.
Check-ups, extra trays and lost trays
Ask what your estimate covers: extra trays, replacements, progress records and retainers. If you lose or break a tray, or it won’t sit properly, call us before skipping ahead to the next one. Regular check-ups tell us whether your teeth are moving as planned. Keep your old trays until we say you can throw them away, in case you need to go back one step.
Cleaning and eating
Take the trays out to eat and to drink anything other than plain water, then brush before putting them back in. Clean the trays as we show you. If you know you won’t manage to wear trays consistently, or your case needs movements aligners handle poorly, fixed braces may be the better choice. Don’t choose aligners only because they’re less visible.
After the last tray
You’ll need retainers to keep your teeth where they are, with their own check-ups. We’ll tell you when active treatment ends, how we check the result and how retainers are supplied and replaced. Teeth can move back without them, so the work doesn’t stop at the last tray. Bring your retainers to check-ups so we can see they still fit well.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Questions about clear aligners
Can aligners fix a severe case?
Some, but not all. It depends on the movements needed. Complex cases may need braces or a referral to an orthodontist.
Can I eat with aligners in?
No. Take them out to eat, and brush before putting them back so food isn’t trapped against your teeth.
How often do I change trays?
It’s different for each person. Follow the schedule we give you, not someone else’s.
What if a tray doesn’t fit properly?
Call us before moving on to the next tray. A poor fit can mean your teeth aren’t moving as planned.
This is general information. What’s right for your tooth depends on what Dr. Samreen finds when she examines it.
Background reading: NHS: braces and orthodontics. These are overseas sources, so their prices and rules don’t apply here.