Clear Aligners Gold Coast

What clear aligners are

Clear aligners are a series of removable trays, each worn for a set period before moving to the next. Every tray is slightly different from the one before, so the teeth move in small increments across the course of treatment. There are no fixed brackets and no wires, and the trays come out for eating and cleaning.

They are not a single product. Several manufacturers make them, the systems differ in how they are planned and made, and the right one depends on what your teeth need to do rather than on brand preference.

The two systems we provide

Invisalign is the longest-established system and has the widest range of attachments and refinement options, which makes it the usual choice for more complex movement. There is a full explanation of how it works, what treatment involves and what it costs on our Invisalign page.

Angel Aligners is a newer system that can be a sensible option for more straightforward cases. It is generally less expensive than Invisalign for comparable treatment.

We will recommend one over the other based on the movement your case needs, not on what is quickest to fit. Where neither is appropriate, we will say so.

When aligners are not the answer

Aligners move teeth well within a certain range. Outside it, fixed braces do a better and often faster job, and some cases are better referred to a specialist orthodontist. Cases that commonly fall outside that range include significant bite discrepancies, teeth that need substantial rotation, and situations where a tooth must be moved bodily rather than tipped.

Active decay or gum disease has to be treated before any orthodontic treatment begins. Moving teeth through unhealthy tissue makes the underlying problem worse.

What treatment involves

Treatment begins with an examination and a digital scan. From there a treatment plan is prepared, showing the intended sequence of movement. A plan is a projection rather than a promise, and cases are commonly refined partway through with additional trays.

Trays are typically worn 20 to 22 hours a day. Wear time is the single biggest factor in whether treatment tracks to plan, and it is entirely in the patient's hands. Retainers are needed afterwards, indefinitely, because teeth drift back towards their previous positions without them.

What clear aligners cost on the Gold Coast

Clear aligner treatment in Australia generally runs between $5,000 and $7,500, and the range is wide because cases differ substantially in how much movement is required and how long treatment takes. Angel Aligners generally sits at the lower end of that range and Invisalign towards the upper.

A written quote is prepared after a clinical assessment. Payment plans are available, terms apply.

Risks worth understanding first

All orthodontic treatment carries risk. Discomfort and pressure are normal in the first days of each new tray. Speech can be affected briefly. Other risks include root resorption, where root length shortens during movement; gum recession; decalcification or decay if oral hygiene slips during treatment; a small and permanent amount of enamel reduction between teeth where the plan calls for it; the need for refinement trays or a change of approach; and relapse, where teeth drift back if retainers are not worn.

Results vary between individuals and no orthodontic outcome can be guaranteed. Your dentist will go through the risks that apply to your case, and the alternatives, before you decide.