Clear Aligners in North York

About clear aligners

Clear aligner therapy is a way of straightening teeth with a series of custom trays instead of brackets and wires. Before treatment starts, a digital model of your teeth is used to plan every small movement from start to finish. Trays are then made for each stage. Invisalign is one well-known brand of clear aligner, and it is one of the systems our dentists offer.

Wear time matters more than anything else. A tray can only move teeth while it is seated on them, so most plans call for about 20 to 22 hours of wear each day. That means aligners stay in through the night and most of the day, and come out only for meals, drinks other than plain water, and cleaning. Skipped hours can slow progress or cause trays to stop fitting well.

Many people also need attachments. These are small, tooth-coloured bumps of bonding material placed on certain teeth. They act like handles, giving the plastic a better grip so it can rotate or tip a tooth in the right direction. Attachments are removed and the teeth polished when treatment is finished.

Aligners suit many cases of crowding, gaps and mild to moderate bite problems in teens and adults. Braces may be a better match when teeth need large rotations or long moves, when the bite is more complex, or when someone is unlikely to keep trays in. Our dentists will compare both honestly after your exam.

You may be a good candidate if

• You have mild to moderate crowding or spacing
• Your teeth have shifted slightly since earlier orthodontic treatment
• You prefer a treatment you can remove for meals and events
• You are ready to wear trays most of the day and night
• Your gums and the bone around your teeth are healthy

Benefits

• Trays are clear and blend in with your teeth
• Brush and floss normally with the trays out
• No brackets or wires to rub your cheeks
• A digital plan maps out the tooth movement in advance

What to expect

1. ConsultationOur dentists check your teeth, gums and bite and ask how aligners would fit into your daily routine.
2. Digital recordsWe take a scan or impressions, photos and a panoramic X-ray to build your plan.
3. See the planYou review the planned tooth movements and the number of trays before deciding.
4. Attachments and first traysAny attachments are bonded, and you practise putting trays in and taking them out.
5. Change trays and check inYou switch trays on schedule at home and visit regularly so we can confirm they are tracking.
6. Finish with retainersAttachments are polished off and you receive clear removable retainers.

Aftercare

• Press each new tray fully into place and check that it sits snugly against every tooth.
• Clean trays with a soft toothbrush and cool water each morning and night, and avoid toothpaste that can scratch the plastic.
• Sip only plain water with trays in, since coffee, tea and sweet drinks can stain the plastic and bathe your teeth in sugar or acid.

Other options

Traditional braces are a reliable option for complex movements and do not depend on daily wear habits. If your main concern is the shape or colour of a few teeth rather than their position, bonding, veneers or whitening may be worth discussing.

Cost and coverage

The fee for clear aligners depends on how many trays your plan needs, how complex the tooth movement is and how long treatment should take. We use the ODA suggested fee guide as a usual reference and give you a written estimate before you commit. Orthodontic benefits vary between plans, so we can send a pre-determination and we direct bill most insurers. CDCP patients are welcome, and we can look into whether your coverage includes aligner treatment. LendCare payment plans can spread the cost over monthly payments, subject to approval.

Our promise: we confirm your coverage and explain the cost before treatment.

Your dental team

Treatment is provided by our dentists. Dr. Ardeshir Ranjbari is a registered specialist in periodontics; our other dentists are general dentists. Some complex cases may be referred to a specialist.

Trusted health information

• Oral health for adults (Government of Canada)
• Oral health (Government of Canada)
• Canadian Dental Care Plan (Government of Canada)

Related services

Clear Aligners near you

We see patients from across North York and nearby areas, including North York, Don Mills, Parkway Forest, Henry Farm, Willowdale, Scarborough, Richmond Hill, Markham.