Watch Your Smile Transform With Clear, Removable Aligners
Clear aligners straighten teeth just like braces do – only without the need for metal brackets and wires.
They work by gently applying controlled pressure to your teeth in different areas of your mouth during different parts of your treatment.
Clear aligner treatment can be ideal for many children, teens and adults who want a lower-profile option that also offers the aesthetics and convenience of removable aligners.
Since they are transparent, clear aligners have a barely-there appearance that allows you to clearly see your smile as it transforms. They are also removable, meaning you can continue to eat all your favourite foods, and easily brush, floss, and maintain your oral health just like you normally would.
Flexible Payment Plans
At Surrideo Orthodontics, we know orthodontic care is a big decision. To make budgeting for care easier, we offer flexible, in-house payment options, including 0% interest plans and low down payment options. So you can focus on your family's smiles.
Clear Aligners for Patients in Calgary
At Surrideo Orthodontics, we offer Invisalign and Spark clear aligners as effective orthodontic treatment options for our children, teen and adult patients.
Clear Aligners for Kids
It is often easier to treat misalignment while your child's mouth is still growing. For kids wanting a discreet option, we offer clear aligners.
Clear Aligners for Teens
For teens with mild to moderate misalignments concerned about the aesthetics of braces, clear aligners may be an ideal treatment option.
Clear Aligners for Adults
Clear aligners allow many of our adult patients to straighten their teeth with the convenience of a discreet, removable treatment option.
Features of Treatment with Clear Aligners
Both Spark and Invisalign aligners offer a number of features designed to help make your orthodontic treatment go more smoothly.
Smooth Construction
Clear aligners are made completely of smooth material, so there is less irritation and discomfort compared to metal brackets and wires.
Aligners are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high-molecular-weight polyurethane resins that are BPA free.
Low-Profile Aesthetics
For those concerned about the appearance of traditional braces, clear aligners can often be a great choice.
Clear aligners are made of a clear, lightweight material and are nearly invisible when worn. The casual observer may not even notice you are wearing them!
Removable Aligners
Clear aligners are removed before eating meals and snacks, allowing you to enjoy all your favourite foods without limitation.
You will also take the aligners out to brush and floss your teeth, so your oral hygiene routine will be unaffected.
No Adjustment Appointments Required
Clear aligners don't need to be adjusted like braces do. Instead, you just switch from one set of aligners to the next in the series as prescribed by your orthodontist.
Occasional checkups will still be necessary for your orthodontist to assess your progress, but you won't need to worry about booking frequent adjustment appointments.
Digital Impressions with iTero™
We use the iTero 3D scanner to take digital impressions of your smile and show you your projected results in preparation for clear aligner treatment.
iTero impressions are minimally intrusive and don't require the use of goopy impression material like physical impressions do.
The Clear Aligner Treatment Process
Wondering how it all works? Below, you can learn what to expect during your clear aligner treatment.
Initial Consultation
At your initial consultation, your orthodontist will perform an exam and imaging to diagnose your orthodontic condition and design a custom treatment plan just for you. Your orthodontist will also address any questions or concerns you may have about the practical and financial aspects of your clear aligner treatment.
The Treatment Plan
Based on findings from your exam and your digital scan, your orthodontist will develop a comprehensive clear aligner treatment plan that will chart the precise movements of your teeth at each stage and the approximate duration of your treatment. Based on the details of this plan and your digital impressions, your clear aligners will be made at a lab using 3D printing technology.
Wearing Your Aligners
For the duration of your treatment, you will wear your aligners every day, only removing them for a total of about two hours a day, to eat, or to brush and floss your teeth. About every other week or so, you will change from one aligner to the next in the series. Gradually, you will see your new smile realized as your teeth shift into their prescribed positions.
Appointments With Us
Throughout your clear aligner treatment, you will visit our office periodically for checkups. During these appointments, your orthodontist will assess your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed. Please also feel free to use these appointments to ask us any questions you may have about your clear aligner treatment.
DentalMonitoring allows our Calgary orthodontists to track your treatment progress remotely, reducing the number of visits to the office.
Enjoy & Maintain
You've made it to the end of treatment – congratulations! It is time to enjoy your straight new smile. At your final clear aligner appointment with your orthodontist, we will review the progress your smile has made. Your orthodontist will prescribe retainers to maintain your teeth in their current positions.
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Questions About Clear Aligner Treatment? We've Got Answers.
If you are considering clear aligners, there's a lot to learn. You probably have lots of questions. Read through our clear aligner FAQs to learn more about this orthodontic treatment.
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What are clear aligners?
Clear aligners are a type of orthodontic treatment that uses a series of custom-made, removable trays to gradually move teeth into better alignment. Each aligner is worn for a set period of time before being replaced with the next one in the series, allowing for controlled, step-by-step tooth movement.
Clear aligners are made from smooth, transparent material and are designed to fit closely over the teeth. They can be removed for eating, brushing, and flossing, making them a flexible option for many children, teens, and adults. An orthodontist will determine whether clear aligners are appropriate based on individual alignment needs and treatment goals.
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Which brands of clear aligners do you offer?
At Surrideo Orthodontics, we offer both Spark and Invisalign clear aligners for our patients in Calgary.
- What are the primary features of clear aligners?
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How do clear aligners work?
Clear aligners work by using a series of custom-made, removable 'trays' that apply gentle, controlled pressure to gradually move teeth into better alignment. Each aligner is designed to make small adjustments, and patients switch to the next aligner in the series at prescribed intervals as treatment progresses.
The aligners should be worn for 22 hours a day and removed only for eating, brushing, and flossing. Throughout treatment, your orthodontist monitors progress and makes adjustments as needed to help ensure tooth movement progresses well and treatment stays on track with your plan.
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How much do clear aligners cost?
The cost of clear aligner orthodontic treatment depends on the severity of your misalignment and how many sets of aligners you will need to resolve it. The more severe or complex your misalignment is, the more aligners you will need to correct it, and the more your treatment will cost.
Concerns about cost are completely understandable. We offer low down payment and no-interest payment plans to help make orthodontic treatment affordable for all our patients.
Speak to our team to learn more.
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How many sets of aligners will I need?
Because everyone's smile is different, every treatment plan is also different. The number of sets of aligners you will need to straighten your smile will depend on the nature and severity of your misalignment. Your orthodontist will be able to provide you with an accurate estimate of how long your treatment will last during your initial consultation.
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How long does clear aligner treatment take?
The length of clear aligner treatment varies depending on the complexity of each individual case.
Factors such as the type of alignment issue being addressed, how consistently aligners are worn, and how teeth respond to treatment all influence timing. Your orthodontist will provide a more personalized estimate after evaluating your specific needs and treatment goals.
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What are clear aligners made of?
Clear aligners are made from specialized, medical-grade plastic materials designed to be strong, flexible, and comfortable for orthodontic treatment. The exact material varies by brand.
- Spark aligners are made from TruGEN™, a multi-layer, medical-grade polymer known for its clarity, stain resistance, and durability.
- Invisalign aligners are made from a proprietary thermoplastic material called SmartTrack™, which is designed to provide consistent, controlled force while fitting closely over the teeth.
Both materials are BPA-free, latex-free, and designed for orthodontic use. Your orthodontist will provide recommendations on which aligner system is most appropriate for you based on your treatment needs and goals.
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Can adults use clear aligners?
Absolutely! Almost anyone with healthy teeth and gums is a potential candidate for clear aligners. There is no upper age limit for clear aligner treatment.
In fact, many adults are opting to undergo orthodontic treatment with clear aligners because of their discreet look, and the convenience of being able to remove them to eat, and to brush and floss.
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Can teenagers use clear aligners?
Yes! Many teens are great candidates for clear aligners. In fact, Spark and Invisalign both offer specific teen aligners that are designed to meet the unique needs of teenagers.
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How will clear aligners fit my lifestyle?
While wearing clear aligners may take some getting used to at first, we believe you will find that they fit very comfortably into your daily routines.
Clear aligners are made of a lightweight, clear plastic, which means they are nearly invisible when worn and most people will not even know you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Since clear aligners can be removed whenever you eat, drink, brush, or floss, there are no dietary restrictions associated with their use, and you can maintain your regular oral hygiene routine.
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How often do I have to visit the orthodontist with clear aligners?
Since our practice uses DentalMonitoring, the number of in-office visits required for clear aligner patients varies. However, DentalMonitoring will reduce the number of office visits needed throughout treatment.
In-office appointments allow your orthodontist to assess your progress. If any refinements or adjustments are needed for your treatment, they may require some extra visits.
One benefit of clear aligners is that they don't require any adjustments or tightening – you just switch to the next set of aligners as prescribed by your orthodontist – so you won't need to visit us for these types of appointments during your treatment.
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How often do I have to change my clear aligners?
Clear aligner treatment involves changing to a new set of aligners every week. Each aligner is designed to make small, gradual adjustments before you move on to the next one.
Your orthodontist will provide clear instructions on when to change your aligners and may adjust the schedule based on how your teeth are responding to treatment. Following the recommended wear and change schedule is important for keeping treatment on track.
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Are there any food or drink restrictions?
Throughout your clear aligner treatment, you will remove your aligners to eat, so there aren't really any dietary restrictions with clear aligners.
We recommend you take your aligners out to drink any beverages other than water (things like pop, coffee, juice, etc.) to avoid staining, and so that sugars and acids don't get trapped between the aligners and your teeth.
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How do I clean my aligners?
There are several steps involved when keeping your clear aligners clean, but all in all, it is pretty simple.
Orthodontists commonly recommend the following steps:
- Rinse aligners with lukewarm water whenever you remove them
- Gently brush them using a soft toothbrush and clear, mild soap in the morning and evening
- Avoid hot water, which can warp the aligners
- Keep aligners in their case when not in use
Your orthodontist may also recommend specific aligner cleaning products or tablets. Avoid toothpaste or harsh cleaners, as these can scratch the aligners and make them appear cloudy over time.
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How do I store my aligners?
Whenever they aren't in your mouth, or soaking in cleaning solution, store your clear aligners in the case they came with. This will keep them safe and clean until it is time to put them back in.
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Can I play sports with clear aligners?
Yes, playing non-contact sports while wearing clear aligners should be fine; many patients do. Since aligners fit snugly over the teeth, they should be comfortable to wear as you play.
For contact sports or activities with a risk of impact, mold your sports mouth guard with your aligners in so you can continue to wear them while participating.
Remember, to keep your treatment on track, you should wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day.
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Can I play my woodwind or brass instrument with clear aligners?
Yes! You can wear your aligners while playing instruments.
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Clear aligners vs. braces: which is right for me?
Clear aligners and braces are both effective orthodontic treatment options, but there are differences between them that may affect their suitability for different individuals.
Factors to consider when choosing between clear aligners and braces include aesthetics, your personal preferences and lifestyle, cost, and the nature and severity of your misalignment.
Your orthodontist will assess your specific case and recommend the best treatment option for your needs.
Learn more about treatment options here.