Clear aligners are a series of custom, removable trays that move your teeth a fraction of a millimeter at a time. You wear each set for one to two weeks, 20 to 22 hours a day, then move to the next one in the series. There is no metal in the mouth, nothing to break at a soccer game, and nothing to take off the list of foods you can eat. At San Elijo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in San Marcos, we use Angel Aligners for our clear aligner cases.
Aligners are a genuinely good fit for mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and relapse after earlier orthodontic work. They are a poor fit for patients who will not wear them. That is the honest trade-off: the appliance only works during the hours it is in your mouth, and we would rather steer you toward braces than watch a case stall for a year.
Angel Aligners use a multi-layer tray material designed to hold a steadier, gentler force through the full wear period, rather than spiking on day one and fading by day six. In practice that tends to mean more predictable tracking between visits and less of the day-one soreness patients report with stiffer single-layer trays. Treatment is planned digitally from a scan, so before you start we can show you the projected movement sequence and the finished result on screen.
1. Consultation and records. We examine the bite, take photos and a digital scan. No messy impressions. 2. Digital plan. We map every stage of movement and review the simulation with you, along with the length of treatment and the cost. 3. Delivery of your first trays. We fit them, place any small tooth-colored attachments the plan needs, and coach you on insertion, removal and cleaning. 4. Progress checks. Short visits every six to ten weeks to confirm the teeth are tracking with the plan. 5. Retention. A retainer at the end, because teeth drift for life.
Take them out to eat and to drink anything other than water; brush before they go back in. Clean the trays with lukewarm water and a soft brush, never hot water, which can warp them. Keep the case with you, because trays wrapped in a napkin get thrown away. Expect mild pressure for a day after each new set, which is the aligner working. If a tray is lost, call us before jumping ahead in the series.
Braces are fixed, work on every case type, and never depend on how disciplined you are. Aligners are removable, nearly invisible, and easier to clean around, but only work if worn. For a teen with heavy crowding, a rotated canine or an open bite, braces are usually the shorter, more certain route. We will tell you which category your case is actually in at the consultation, and we are happy to plan out both options side by side so you can compare the time and cost before deciding.
Do you use Invisalign? We treat clear aligner cases with Angel Aligners. The treatment principle is the same; the tray system and planning software are different.
How long does clear aligner treatment take? Mild cases can finish in about six months. Moderate cases usually run 12 to 18 months. Wear time is the single biggest factor.
Can my teenager handle aligners? Many can. We talk honestly about wear habits at the consultation, and if we have doubts we will say so rather than starting a treatment that will not finish on schedule.
Does insurance cover clear aligners? Orthodontic benefits typically apply to aligners the same way they apply to braces. We verify your coverage and put the payment plan in writing before you start.
Will I need a retainer afterward? Yes. Every orthodontic result needs retention, whether you finished in aligners or braces.
