Clear aligners are a series of custom-made transparent trays. Each tray is worn for one to two weeks and moves the teeth a fraction of a millimetre before the next in the series takes over. The full sequence is planned digitally before the first tray is made.
They are removable, which means eating and brushing are unchanged, but that also makes them dependent on the patient. Aligners work only when worn for 20 to 22 hours a day.
When clear aligners is the right treatment
- Mild to moderate crowding or spacing
- Adults who do not want visible fixed braces at work
- Relapse after earlier orthodontic treatment
- Patients who want to see the planned result before starting
What the treatment involves
- 1
Records and scan
Photographs, X-rays and an intraoral scan or impressions are taken to build an accurate digital model of your bite.
- 2
Digital treatment plan
The whole sequence of movements is planned on that model, so you can see the projected end position before any tray is manufactured.
- 3
Wearing the trays
Each tray is worn 20 to 22 hours a day and changed on schedule. Small tooth-coloured attachments may be bonded to some teeth to give the trays grip.
- 4
Reviews
Periodic checks every six to eight weeks to confirm the teeth are tracking to plan. Refinement trays are made if a tooth lags.
- 5
Retention
A retainer after treatment is not optional. Teeth relapse towards their old position without one.
Cost
Aligner cost scales with the number of trays, which scales with the complexity of the case.
See clear aligners costs in Lucknow →Clear Aligners: common questions
How long does clear aligner treatment take?
Commonly six to eighteen months depending on how much movement is needed. Minor crowding can finish faster; complex bite correction takes longer.
Are aligners as effective as braces?
For mild to moderate crowding, spacing and alignment, aligners handle the case well. Severe skeletal discrepancies, large rotations and cases needing significant extraction space closure are often still better served by fixed braces. That call is made at assessment.
Do aligners affect speech?
Most people adapt within a few days. A slight lisp in the first week is common and settles.
What happens if I do not wear them enough?
The teeth stop tracking with the trays, the sequence stops fitting, and treatment either stalls or needs re-planning. Wear time is the single biggest predictor of a good aligner result.
Medically reviewed
Reviewed by Dr. Dhanya Saxena, BDS, MHA, FMC, FAOI, oro-dental surgeon and aesthetic physician at Redefine Dental and Facial Aesthetic, Indira Nagar, Lucknow. Dental Council registration 20935. Last reviewed 30 August 2026.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a quotation. Your own treatment and cost are determined after an examination.