Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment method consisting of a series of clear, custom aligners designed to straighten teeth effectively without metal wires or brackets.

Using advanced 3D computer imaging technology, we will create a personalized treatment plan to address your smile's specific needs.

Your clear aligners will then be created to fit your teeth precisely during each stage of the treatment process. 

At Munk Orthodontics, we offer Invisalign^®, Spark™, and in-house made clear aligners for our patients in Clarkston, Oxford and Davison and beyond.

The features of clear aligners include:

• Smooth plastic construction for enhanced comfort
• A discreet, low-profile appearance
• Unique treatment options for teens, and adults
• No need for frequent adjustment appointments
• Removable for brushing, flossing, and eating

Your clear aligner treatment will come in a series of clear plastic aligners.

Each aligner in the series is designed to move specific teeth in tiny increments. You will wear each aligner for about two weeks (or as prescribed by your orthodontist) before replacing it with the next one in the series, which will pick up where the last one left off.

This process will continue until your teeth are in their prescribed, corrected positions.

The cost of clear aligner orthodontic treatment varies 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.

Every smile is unique, and so is every personalized treatment plan we create.

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.

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.

Clear aligners are made with USP Class VI medical-grade, high-molecular-weight polyurethane resins that are BPA-free.

Yes! 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.

Absolutely! Many teens are great candidates for clear aligners. In fact, some clear aligners are designed specifically to meet the unique needs of teenagers.

For instance, Invisalign Teen has compliance indicators on them (tiny blue dots that fade away after the aligners have been worn consistently for two weeks) to help teens keep track of their treatment and when the aligners need to be changed out.

They also come with eruption tabs for tweens and younger teens whose adult teeth are still in the process of growing in. These provide space for second molars and prevent them from growing crooked.

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.

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.

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.

You will always 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.

There are a few different steps involved when it comes to keeping your clear aligners clean, but all in all it's pretty simple.

Whenever you take your aligners out of your mouth, be sure to rinse them to wash away dry saliva and plaque that may be beginning to develop.

It is also recommended to brush your teeth after each meal before putting your aligners back in. This prevents food and other debris from getting trapped between your teeth and the aligners, leading to bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.

Clean your aligners thoroughly each day using a soft toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap or toothpaste. Be sure to brush your aligners gently so as not to scratch them. Once your aligners are clean, rinse them thoroughly with cool water. Then you're done!

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.

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.

Absolutely! All you need to do is 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.

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.