Smile Confidently with Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a removable orthodontic treatment option designed to straighten teeth, similar to traditional braces, but without metal brackets and wires.
They work by applying gentle, controlled pressure to your teeth in various areas of your mouth during different stages of your treatment.
Clear aligners are a great orthodontic treatment option for children, teens and adults who prefer a lower-profile option in terms of esthetics and the convenience of removable aligners.
Clear aligners have a discreet appearance because they are transparent. Since they are removable, you can enjoy all your favorite foods, brush, floss, and take care of your oral health just as you normally would.
Clear Aligner Options for All Ages
Clear aligners offers a few unique treatment options for children, teens, and adults.
Book ConsultationAligners for Kids
Clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment option for the developing smiles of children aged seven to 10.
Aligners for Teens
For teens worried about the appearance of metal braces, clear aligners might be the ideal orthodontic treatment choice.
Aligners for Adults
Many adult patients choose clear aligners to straighten their teeth because it integrates seamlessly into their lives.
Flexible Payment Plans & Insurance Options
At Duong Orthodontics, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to dental care. We offer flexible payment plans and direct billing to insurance to help our patients manage the cost of orthodontic treatment.
Features of Clear Aligner Treatment
Clear aligners offers several features that can help make your orthodontic treatment go more smoothly.

Smooth Construction
Clear aligners are made completely of smooth material. This means that you won't experience any irritation or discomfort from metal wires or brackets.
The aligners are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high-molecular-weight polyurethane resins that are BPA-free.
Low-Profile Esthetics
For those looking for a more low-profile appearance when it comes to orthodontic treatment, clear aligners can be a great choice.
Clear aligners are created using a clear, lightweight material and are almost invisible when worn. A casual observer might not even realize you're wearing them!


Versatility
There are clear aligner treatment options for children, teens and adults alike, and they can be used to address a wide range of different orthodontic issues.
Clear aligners can even be made for use as retainers to help you maintain your new smile once your orthodontic treatment is complete.
Removable Aligners
Since clear aligners are removable, you can take them out before every meal, allowing you to enjoy all your favorite foods without restriction.
You can also take the aligners out to brush and floss your teeth so your oral hygiene routine will remain the same.


No Adjustment Appointments Needed
Clear aligners don't need regular adjustments and tightening like braces do. Instead, you switch from one set of aligners to the next in the series, as prescribed by your orthodontist.
You'll still need to come in for checkups to evaluate your progress, but they won't take nearly as long as adjustment appointments with braces.
Digital Impressions with iTero™
Our orthodontist uses the iTero 3D scanner to take digital impressions of your smile and show you your projected results as part of the clear aligner treatment process.
iTero impressions are minimally intrusive and do not require any messy impression material like traditional impressions do.

The Clear Aligner Treatment Process
Wondering how it all works? Learn more about what to expect during your orthodontic treatment with clear aligners.
Initial Consultation
During your initial consultation, your orthodontist will conduct an exam and take imaging to assess your orthodontic condition, creating a personalized treatment plan tailored to you. Your orthodontist will also answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the practical and financial aspects of your clear aligner treatment.
The Treatment Plan
Using the results of your exam and digital scan, your orthodontist will create a comprehensive clear aligner treatment plan that notes the precise movements of your teeth at each stage, along with the estimated duration of your treatment. Based on this plan, your clear aligners will be produced in a lab using 3D printing technology.
Wearing Your Aligners
For the duration of your treatment, you'll 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. Approximately every two weeks, you'll switch to the next aligner in the series. Gradually, you'll start to see your new smile as your teeth shift into their prescribed positions.
Appointments With Us
You'll visit our office periodically for checkups throughout your clear aligner treatment process.
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.
Enjoy & Maintain
Once you've made it to the end of your treatment you'll begin to enjoy your straighter, healthier smile. At your final clear aligner appointment with your orthodontist, we'll 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 Aligners? We've Got Answers.
If you're considering clear aligners, you likely have several questions about the process. Get started by reading our clear aligner FAQs to learn more about this orthodontic treatment.
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What are clear aligners?
Clear aligners are custom-made transparent devices that straighten teeth without using traditional metal braces.
Using advanced 3D imaging technology, we create a personalized plan tailored to your specific dental needs.
The aligners are precisely manufactured to fit your teeth at each stage of your treatment journey.
- What are the primary features of clear aligners?
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How do clear aligners work?
Your treatment includes multiple clear plastic aligners worn in sequence.
Each device is engineered to shift specific teeth by small amounts. You'll wear each aligner for approximately two weeks (or according to your orthodontist's recommendation) before progressing to the next one, which continues the adjustment process.
This sequential approach continues until your teeth reach their ideal, corrected positions.
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How much do clear aligners cost?
The cost of clear aligner orthodontic treatment can vary depending on the severity of your misalignment and how many sets of aligners you'll 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.
Visit our payment plans page to learn more about what we do to help make orthodontic care more affordable for our patients.
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How many sets of aligners will I need?
The length of your treatment is customized to your unique smile.
The number of aligner sets you need will vary based on how misaligned your teeth are and the specific corrections required.
During your first consultation, your orthodontist will evaluate your situation and provide you with a personalized timeline for your treatment process.
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How long does clear aligner treatment take?
The duration of your clear aligner treatment will depend on a number of factors, such as the severity of the misalignment of your teeth and jaws. This determines the amount of movement that will be required to correct the problem and how many aligners you will need to go through to accomplish this. As a result, clear aligner treatment takes longer for some patients than others.
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What are clear aligners made of?
Clear aligners are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high-molecular-weight polyurethane resins that are BPA-free.
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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, there are clear aligners that are designed to meet the unique needs of teenagers.
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How will clear aligners fit my lifestyle?
You may need some time initially to adjust to wearing clear aligners, but they'll soon become a seamless part of your daily life.
Made from lightweight, transparent plastic, these aligners are barely noticeable when worn, allowing you to straighten your teeth discreetly.
Since you can remove them for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing, you won't need to change your diet or oral hygiene habits during treatment.
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How often do I have to visit the orthodontist with clear aligners?
You'll need to visit the orthodontist for a checkup about every 12 weeks during your clear aligner treatment. These 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?
When you first start treatment, your orthodontist will tell you exactly how often you should switch out your aligners. The frequency varies a bit among patients, but it's normally every two weeks or so.
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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?
Maintaining your clear aligners is straightforward, though it involves several simple steps.
Rinse your aligners whenever you remove them to get rid of saliva and plaque buildup.
Before reinserting your aligners after meals, brush your teeth to prevent food particles from becoming trapped, which could cause bad breath, decay, or gum problems.
Clean your aligners daily using a soft toothbrush with clear anti-bacterial soap or toothpaste. Brush gently to avoid scratching the plastic. After cleaning, rinse them completely with cool water, and they're ready to use again!
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How do I store my aligners?
When not being worn or cleaned, keep your aligners in their provided case. This protects them and maintains their cleanliness until you're ready to wear them again.
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Can I play sports with clear aligners?
Clear aligners are removable so you can play sports without worrying about damaging them.
However, keep in mind that in order to keep treatment on track, clear aligners must be kept in for a minimum of 22 hours a day (or as prescribed by your orthodontist), so plan your time carefully.
It's important to invest in a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth during orthodontic treatment in general. Orthodontic treatment causes your teeth to loosen slightly as they shift into their new positions, and this can make them more susceptible to damage than they normally are.
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Can I play my woodwind or brass instrument with clear aligners?
Yes! Simply remove your aligners to play your instrument, and pop them back in when you're done.
Keep in mind that you must keep your clear aligners in for about 22 hours a day (or as prescribed by your orthodontist), so be sure to plan your practice time carefully.
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Clear aligners vs. braces: which is right for me?
Both clear aligners and traditional braces can effectively straighten teeth, but they have distinct differences that may make one more appropriate for your situation.
When deciding between the two, consider appearance, your lifestyle preferences, budget, and the complexity of your dental issues.
Your orthodontist will evaluate your specific circumstances and recommend the most suitable treatment approach for your unique needs.
Learn more about treatment options here.