Invisalign and clear aligners in Box Hill North
Clear aligners move teeth using a series of removable trays. They suit some cases well and others not at all, and knowing which is which is the point of the first appointment.
How aligners work, and where their limits are
Aligner treatment uses a sequence of clear plastic trays, each slightly different from the last. Worn as directed, each tray applies gentle pressure that moves the teeth a fraction of a millimetre before you change to the next. Small tooth-coloured attachments are usually bonded to some teeth to give the trays something to push against.
They are removable, which is their main practical advantage — you take them out to eat and to clean your teeth, so there are no food restrictions and brushing is normal. It is also their main limitation: they only work while they are in your mouth. Most protocols require them worn around 20 to 22 hours a day. People who leave them out lose progress, and treatment stretches out.
Aligners handle mild to moderate crowding, spacing and some bite corrections well. Severe crowding, significant bite discrepancies, and cases needing substantial tooth movement or jaw correction are often better treated with fixed braces or by an orthodontist — a registered specialist in orthodontics. We will say so if that is what your case needs.
01
Assessment
Examination, photographs, X-rays and a scan or impressions. We check that your teeth and gums are healthy first, because moving teeth with active gum disease or untreated decay is not appropriate.
02
Planning
A digital plan is produced showing the proposed sequence of movements and the expected end position. It is a projection, not a promise — teeth do not always move exactly as modelled.
03
Wearing the aligners
You change trays on the schedule you are given and attend periodic reviews so progress can be checked and adjusted. Expect pressure and tenderness for a day or two with each new tray.
04
Retention
Teeth drift back. Retainers are not optional — they are part of the treatment, worn long term, and replaced as they wear out. This is a permanent commitment, and it is worth understanding before you start.
What aligners can and cannot address
Suitability is decided at the assessment, not from a photograph.
Mild to moderate crowding
Where there is a modest shortfall of space, aligners can align the arch predictably.
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Spacing and gaps
Small gaps between teeth are among the more straightforward movements to achieve.
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Relapse after braces
Teeth that have drifted after previous orthodontic work, where retainers were not kept up, are often a good fit for a short course.
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Complex bite problems
Significant overbite, underbite, crossbite or skeletal discrepancies frequently need fixed appliances or specialist orthodontic care.
Not suitable while unstable
Active gum disease, untreated decay or heavily compromised teeth need dealing with before any tooth movement begins.
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Referral where needed
Where your case would be better handled by a registered specialist orthodontist, we will tell you and arrange the referral.
Risks, timeframes and cost
Treatment time varies with the complexity of the case and, substantially, with how consistently the trays are worn. We will give you an expected range after the assessment rather than a headline figure beforehand, because a number quoted without seeing your teeth is meaningless.
Risks and side effects include tenderness and pressure with each new tray, temporary changes to speech while you adapt, and irritation from tray edges or attachments. Root shortening can occur with any orthodontic tooth movement. Gum recession can be unmasked as teeth move. Small amounts of enamel are sometimes removed between teeth to create space, which is irreversible. Teeth may not move exactly as the digital plan projects, and refinement trays or a change of approach is sometimes needed. Relapse is likely without consistent retainer wear.
You will receive a written itemised quote covering the full cost of treatment — not an instalment figure in isolation — before anything begins, including what retainers and any refinements will cost. Health fund cover for orthodontic treatment varies widely and often carries separate annual and lifetime limits, so it is worth checking your policy.
Common questions
How long does treatment take?
It depends on how much movement is needed and how consistently you wear the trays. We give you an expected range after assessing your teeth.
How many hours a day do I have to wear them?
Typically 20 to 22 hours, out only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and cleaning. Wearing them less than directed slows progress or stops it.
Will anyone notice them?
They are clear and considerably less visible than fixed braces, though the attachments bonded to the teeth can be seen close up.
Do I have to wear a retainer afterwards?
Yes, long term. Teeth move throughout life and will drift back without retention. Treat retainers as a permanent part of the plan rather than an optional extra.
Are aligners suitable for teenagers?
Sometimes, and it depends heavily on whether the teenager will actually wear them. Compliance is the deciding factor more often than the clinical picture.
Can I get aligners if I have a crown or implant?
Often yes, but implants do not move, and crowns can affect where attachments can be bonded. Both are taken into account in the plan.
Related pages
Other parts of the site people usually read alongside this one.
Whitening, bonding and veneers — with the trade-offs set out before you decide.
Examinations, cleans and X-rays — the six-month visit that prevents most of the rest.
Written itemised quotes with ADA item numbers, so you can check your rebate first.
Book an aligner assessment
579 Middleborough Rd, Box Hill North VIC 3129. Serving Box Hill, Blackburn, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills and Doncaster.
Orthodontic treatment carries risk and outcomes vary between individuals. Suitability is determined by examination. Dentrust provides general dental care; our dentists are not registered specialist orthodontists and we refer where specialist care is indicated.