How Do Clear Aligners Work?

Let us guess, your parents spent $10,000 + on traditional braces in high school, only for you to misplace the retainer? You're not the first to watch your teeth slowly move back to their original position.

Now that you are all grown up, correcting misaligned teeth with traditional metal braces is difficult. You're at the peak of your social life, making ends meet to get that university degree, or starting your career, and let's face it, life is just more expensive as an adult.

What if we told you that there was a way to achieve straight teeth, that is cost-effective, and you don’t have to sacrifice your social life.

Say hello to clear aligners. Clear aligners are a misalignment treatment that helps to straighten your teeth using multiple clear aligners trays that slowly realign your crowded or crooked teeth.

1. What actually are Clear Aligners?

Aligners are clear trays made of thermoplastic. These plastic trays are unique 3D models created from Impressions (moulds) of your teeth.

Orthodontists use your impressions to create a custom treatment plan, plotting each tooth position from start to finish, guiding subtle teeth movement. Once you approve your plan, your clear aligners are fabricated into multiple aligner trays to represent a different step in the treatment plan.

2. How do these things work?

These clear aligners apply constant pressure to the tooth when you wear them, causing the periodontal ligament (the soft tissue between your teeth and the bone) to compress. Bones on either side of these ligaments respond by resorption and mild inflammation, creating new bone cells - Osteoclasts and Osteoblasts. Osteoclasts break down the existing bone, and osteoblasts create new bone, resulting in a realignment of the teeth.

As each treatment plan is unique to each patient, the number of clear aligners will vary, and depend on how your teeth need to move, meaning everyone's treatment length is different.

3. Where the heck did clear aligners come from?

Up until 1997, enduring wires and metal brackets were the only form of straightening teeth. We can thank Zia Chishti and Kelsey Worth, two university students, for creating a treatment for adults wanting discreet orthodontic treatment.

Computerised models were created from a single impression - no OPGs or in-chair visits. A treatment plan was created, and a series of custom clear aligners were digitally fabricated to slowly move and straighten teeth. Since then, clear aligner therapy has become a leading alternative to braces, especially for adults wanting subtle smile correction.

4. So, are they just plastic?

No, clear aligners are so much more than just plastic! Our goal was to create affordable, clear aligners without compromising on quality. All of our clear aligners are fabricated using a material called Zendura FLX™. They are also:

BPA Free
Recyclable
Stain and crack resistant

Using the dynamic elasticity of Zendura FLX advanced design, we are maximising the tooth-moving force while reducing the initial pressure felt by the patient, AKA faster treatment time, and less discomfort! It's a win-win.

5. How do you create a custom treatment plan?

At bitesoft, we offer two treatment paths: At Home or In-Clinic.

With at home treatment, it all starts with a combination of white and blue putty; you do your impressions from home, send them back to us, we scan your impressions to create a digital mould. We combine this with your diagnostic records (photos and dental history) to determine how best to guide misaligned teeth into their optimal position.

If you decide to use our In-Clinic treatment, you will head to a bitesoft partner clinic for an initial appointment where you will undergo a comprehensive evaluation that includes several a Intraoral scan which is essentially a 3D scan, X-Ray’s, a professional clean and you will be given a personalised assessment which your dentist will send through to our team.

After completing either the above steps for At Home or In-Clinic treatment, our dental team will send through your results in order for our treatment planning team to customise a plan tailored to your needs.

Our team analyse the biochemical process required to straighten your teeth, and fabricates a full treatment of clear aligners to move teeth in small, conservative and safe increments.

You will receive a 3D model of your plan, including what your teeth will look like once you have finished treatment.

6. How much does treatment with Bitesoft Co cost?

The cost of teeth straightening with clear aligners is much lower than traditional wired braces, we also offer payment plans to ensure flexibility without compromising on results. We are proud to say that bitesoft provides one of the most affordable clear aligner treatments in Australia and New Zealand starting from just $66 per fortnight, our BitePay payment plans are interest-free, requires no deposit and we have no hidden fees.

7. Braces vs clear aligners - are they the same?

Nope. Fixed braces like metal or ceramic options use brackets and wires, while clear aligners work by applying pressure over time and offering the flexibility to remove them.

While both are effective teeth straightening options, they specialise in different forms of movement. Braces are generally used for severe orthodontic cases, while aligners work to move teeth straight while being adaptable. Clear aligners can also treat various cases, including crowding correction, expanding and widening smiles.

To sum it up, clear aligners are 60% more affordable, have 2x faster treatment time and are discrete. Every case is unique - we recommend booking a free 15 minute e-consultation to see if we are right for you!

8. Does it really work?

Yes it does! If you follow your plan and wear your aligners for up to 22 hours a day, you will start seeing results within the first few months of treatment. Thousands of Aussies and Kiwis have now seen how clear aligners can fix teeth misalignments and refine bite issues without interrupting their lifestyle- see the results for yourself; Bitesoft Results.

9. How do I start?
Taking the first step to your dream smile is easy. Simply purchase an impression kit from us, or if you prefer visiting one of our bitesoftpro partner clinics, book in for your initial appointment.

10. I want to start but am feeling confused.

If you are feeling a little unsure or confused, thats okay - we also offer a free 15 minute e-consultation where our customer care team can help talk you through our process as well as answering any questions you may have.