Clear aligners are thin, removable trays that move your teeth a small step at a time. At Wright Orthodontics, Dr. Marc S. Wright plans aligner treatment for kids, teens and adults at our Marietta office and our Atlanta office. The aligner system we use is Invisalign. This page explains how clear aligners work, who they suit, and how they compare with braces, so you can come to your free consultation already knowing the trade-offs. Call or text (404) 417-0771 with any questions.
What Are Clear Aligners?
A clear aligner is a custom-made plastic tray that fits snugly over your teeth. Each tray is shaped slightly differently from the one before it, so wearing them in order moves the teeth along a planned path. You switch to a new set every one to two weeks, and you wear them 20 to 22 hours a day. They come out only to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to brush and floss.
“Clear aligners” is the general name for the treatment. Invisalign is one brand of it, made by Align Technology, and it is the aligner system Dr. Wright uses. Many general dental offices and mail-order companies sell their own aligners too. Those products can look alike, but the results depend on who diagnoses the bite and plans every tooth movement. That planning is what you are really choosing when you choose a provider.
How Clear Aligner Treatment Works at Our Offices
Most aligner patients follow the same six steps, whichever office they visit:
- Free consultation. Dr. Wright examines your teeth and bite, asks about your goals and tells you honestly whether aligners or braces will get you there more efficiently.
- Digital scan. We scan your teeth with the iTero Lumina scanner, which records a detailed 3D model in minutes without impression putty.
- 3D imaging when needed. For complex cases, our cone-beam CT gives a 3D view of the roots, jaws and airway, so the plan accounts for what a standard X-ray cannot show.
- Your custom plan. Dr. Wright maps each tooth movement in digital planning software and shows you a preview of the planned result before you commit.
- Wearing the aligners. You change trays on schedule and visit every few weeks so we can confirm the teeth are tracking to the plan.
- Retainers. When the teeth are in place, retainers hold them there. If a retainer is lost or stops fitting, we make replacement retainers at both offices.
Learn more about the scanner, CBCT and digital planning on our technology page.
What Clear Aligners Can Treat
Clear aligners treat many of the problems people expect to need braces for:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Gaps and spacing
- Overbite, underbite and crossbite in many mild to moderate cases
- Teeth that have shifted after earlier orthodontic treatment
Aligners are not the best tool for every bite. Some complex movements, such as large rotations or significant jaw discrepancies, are often handled more efficiently with braces. If that is true for you, Dr. Wright will say so at the consultation instead of selling you the option you walked in asking about.
Clear Aligners for Kids, Teens and Adults
Kids
Dr. Wright evaluates children as early as age seven. For some younger patients, Invisalign First uses removable aligners to guide developing teeth and manage space for the permanent teeth. See Invisalign for kids and our two-phase treatment page.
Teens
Teen aligners include compliance indicators and eruption tabs that leave room for teeth still coming in. There are no brackets to break during sports, and fewer emergency visits during the school year. Read more about Invisalign for teens in Atlanta or in Marietta.
Adults
Many of our aligner patients are adults who want straighter teeth without visible hardware at work. Others are fixing teeth that moved after braces years ago. See adult Invisalign in Atlanta and in Marietta.
Clear Aligners vs. Braces: An Honest Comparison
We offer aligners and several kinds of braces, so we can recommend whichever fits your bite best. Here is how the options compare:
| Clear aligners (Invisalign) | LightForce braces | Ceramic braces | Metal braces | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Nearly invisible trays | Brackets custom 3D-printed for each tooth | Tooth-colored brackets | Visible metal brackets |
| Removable | Yes, for meals and brushing | No | No | No |
| Depends on wear time | Yes, 20 to 22 hours a day | No, always working | No, always working | No, always working |
| Food rules | None while trays are out | Avoid hard and sticky foods | Avoid hard and sticky foods | Avoid hard and sticky foods |
| Best suited to | Mild to moderate crowding, spacing and many bite issues | Precise, digitally planned movement, including complex cases | Patients who want braces that blend in | The widest range of corrections |
LightForce brackets are designed digitally to match the shape and position of each tooth. We pair them with SureSmile custom-bent arch wires, so tooth movements are programmed before the braces go on. That is why patients who would rather not rely on wearing trays often choose LightForce. Compare all the options on our braces page, or read about LightForce and ceramic braces.
Why Choose an Orthodontist for Clear Aligners
Several dental offices near Marietta and Atlanta offer clear aligners, and so do mail-order brands. The difference is the training behind the plan. Orthodontists complete years of specialty training after dental school in moving teeth and guiding jaw growth. Dr. Wright completed his postgraduate orthodontic training at Howard University and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists.
- Experience: more than 20 years in orthodontics and more than 12,000 finished smiles.
- Aligner depth: Dr. Wright is a Diamond Invisalign provider, a level that reflects the number of aligner cases he has completed.
- Every option under one roof: because we also offer metal, ceramic and LightForce braces, our recommendation follows your bite, not the one product we sell.
- Digital diagnostics: iTero Lumina scanning and CBCT imaging help us plan what aligners can do for you and see where they fall short.
Clear Aligners Near You in Marietta and Atlanta
Our Marietta office at 990 B Whitlock Ave. serves families from Marietta, East Cobb and Smyrna. Our Atlanta office at 3019-B North Druid Hills Rd. NE is close to Decatur, Brookhaven, Tucker and Chamblee. Both offices offer the same aligner process, the same scanner and the same doctor. For city-specific details, see Invisalign in Marietta and Invisalign in Atlanta.
Clear Aligner FAQs
Are clear aligners the same as Invisalign?
Invisalign is a brand of clear aligner. All clear aligners work on the same principle, a series of trays that move teeth in stages, but brands differ in their materials, planning software and features. Invisalign is the system we use at Wright Orthodontics.
How long does clear aligner treatment take?
It depends on how far the teeth need to move. Mild cases can finish in months. Complex cases take longer. Dr. Wright gives you a timeline built on your own digital plan at the consultation.
Do clear aligners hurt?
Most people feel pressure for a day or two when they start a new set of trays. That means the aligners are working. There are no wires or brackets to rub the cheeks.
What happens if I don’t wear them enough?
The teeth stop tracking to the plan, and treatment takes longer or needs extra trays. If you know you will struggle with 20 to 22 hours a day, braces may be the better choice, and we will tell you so.
Can my child or teen wear clear aligners?
Often, yes. Invisalign First is designed for younger children, and teen aligners have eruption tabs for teeth still coming in. Whether aligners suit your child depends on their bite and how reliably they will wear the trays.
Do I need retainers after aligners?
Yes. Teeth tend to drift back after any orthodontic treatment, so retainers are part of every plan. Read more about retainers.
Book a Free Clear Aligner Consultation
The fastest way to find out if clear aligners will work for your smile is a scan and a conversation with Dr. Wright. Book your free consultation at our Marietta or Atlanta office, or call or text (404) 417-0771.