Clear aligners use a series of custom, removable plastic trays, each one worn for about one to two weeks before moving on to the next in the series, gradually shifting your teeth into their final position. A digital 3D scan maps out your entire treatment ahead of time, so you can actually preview your projected results before you start.

Aim for 20 to 22 hours a day. You take them out to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to brush and floss, but otherwise they should stay in. Wearing them less than that is the single most common reason treatment runs longer than planned.

For mild to moderate issues, crowding, spacing, minor bite problems, aligners work extremely well and there's solid clinical research behind them. For more severe crowding or significant jaw discrepancies, traditional braces sometimes still get better results. Your orthodontist can tell you pretty quickly which category your case falls into.

Expect somewhere between $3,000 and $8,000 CAD, which is roughly in line with traditional braces, sometimes a little higher depending on complexity and how many trays your treatment requires. Pure Orthodontics offers 0% interest payment plans with no credit check needed, so the cost can be spread out over your treatment.

Yes, this is one of the bigger advantages over traditional braces. Since the trays come out, there's no list of foods to avoid, you just take them out before eating or drinking anything besides water, then brush before putting them back in.

Most people come in every 6 to 8 weeks to check progress and pick up their next set of trays, though some treatment plans allow for a bit more flexibility with fewer in-person visits. Either way, it's generally less frequent than the monthly adjustments traditional braces require.

Some people notice a slight, temporary lisp for the first few days as their tongue gets used to the plastic. It almost always clears up within a week once you've adjusted, and most patients say they don't notice any lasting effect on their speech.

Call your orthodontist right away rather than jumping ahead to the next set on your own, since that can throw off your treatment plan. Depending on where you are in treatment, they might have you wear your previous tray for a bit while a replacement is made.