What to expect from clear aligners, week by week

Straightening teeth is a long game, and the first few weeks set the pattern. This is what most of our patients tell us.

The first week

Your teeth will feel pressed, a bit like after a tight handshake. It is tender rather than painful and usually eases after two or three days with each new set. You might notice a lisp; it normally disappears within a few days.

The first month

You will learn to take trays out before eating and to brush before putting them back. Most people settle into a rhythm: out for meals, in for everything else, case always in a pocket.

The middle

By the third or fourth month the changes start to show. This is when most people tell their friends. We see you every six to eight weeks to check progress, and sometimes adjust the plan.

The end

Teeth like to drift back, so the final stage is retainers. They are small, comfortable and the thing that keeps your result.

Is it for you?

The only way to know is a scan and an honest conversation. We will tell you if aligners are not the best option for your teeth.

Demo content from a fictional practice. Not medical advice.