Orthodontics
Invisalign, without the metal
If the idea of fixed metal braces has been putting you off sorting your teeth, you are not alone. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners, made to your teeth, that gradually move them into position. You wear them, and most people around you will have no idea.
- Virtually invisibleclear aligners
- Removablefor meals and cleaning
- iTero 3Dplanned from a scan
About Invisalign
Straighter teeth, planned around your whole mouth
What Invisalign can treat
Invisalign suits a wide range of orthodontic problems: crowded teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites. The technology has moved on considerably and now treats cases that once needed fixed appliances.
There are still cases better suited to other methods, and we will be honest with you if Invisalign is not the right tool for your situation. The goal is the right result for you, not the most convenient path for us.
What is different at Clear
Orthodontic treatment works best when it is planned with the end result in mind: how your teeth function together, the health of your gums, and any cosmetic work planned afterwards. Dr Leigh Knowles leads orthodontics here and plans each case in conversation with the wider clinical team, particularly where cosmetic work is being considered alongside or after straightening.
We want straightening your teeth to be the start of something long term, not a quick fix that drifts back.
Timelines and retention
Minor corrections can be achieved in three to six months. More complex cases may take twelve to eighteen months or longer. You will get a realistic timeline at your consultation, and a retention plan, because retainers are what keep your teeth where treatment has put them.
How Invisalign works
From scan to straight
Digital from the first appointment: no messy impressions, and a plan you can see before you commit.
01 · Scan
A 3D scan of your teeth
An iTero scan replaces impressions and becomes the basis of your digital treatment plan.
02 · Plan
A simulation of the result
ClinCheck maps the precise movements of your teeth from start to finish. You see the expected outcome before treatment begins.
03 · Wear
A series of aligners
Each aligner moves your teeth a little further. You change them every one to two weeks and wear them 20 to 22 hours a day.
04 · Review
Check-ins and retention
You visit periodically so we can check progress, and finish with retainers to hold the result.
Invisalign or fixed braces?
Invisalign
RemovableClear aligners
Virtually invisible in normal conversation. Removable for meals and cleaning, so there are no food restrictions and you brush and floss as normal. Smooth plastic with no brackets to irritate cheeks. Treats a wide range of cases, typically in three to eighteen months, but it depends on you wearing them 20 to 22 hours a day.
Fixed braces
Brackets and wires
Clearly visible, and fixed in place for the duration. Sticky and hard foods need to be avoided, and cleaning around brackets takes more effort. Cheek and lip irritation is possible, especially early on. A wider treatment range still, and better for some severe corrections, typically over twelve to twenty-four months. Compliance is built in: the brackets do the work.
Simplified illustrations, not to scale. Your dentist will explain which suits you after your scan.
Read the transcript
At the very core of Clear Dentistry, we are a digital practice. So that means all of our treatments, from the very start to the very end, are going to use the most up-to-date digital workflow. This makes treatment quicker, easier, more comfortable and more predictable. So from the very start, where we take your scan, to the very end, where we scan for your retainers, the whole process should be very straightforward, and you can have your smile delivered in the easiest possible way.
Watch · 0:30
Dr Leigh Knowles on Invisalign
Leigh leads orthodontics at the practice. Thirty seconds on how aligner treatment is planned around your face, your bite and your long-term dental health, and what to expect along the way.
Common questions
Can Invisalign fix my teeth as effectively as traditional braces?
In many cases, yes. Invisalign now treats crowding, gaps, overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites. Some cases are still better suited to fixed appliances, and we will always be honest with you if Invisalign is not the right tool for your situation.
Will people be able to tell I'm wearing aligners?
Most people around you will have no idea. The aligners are clear and made to fit your teeth. You take them out to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to clean your teeth, so there is no impact on your diet or your oral hygiene routine.
How long will treatment take?
It depends on the complexity of your case. Minor corrections can take three to six months; more complex cases twelve to eighteen months or longer. You will get a realistic timeline at your consultation, not an optimistic estimate designed to get you started.
What happens after treatment? Will my teeth stay straight?
Retention is an essential part of any orthodontic treatment. Once your teeth have moved into position, retainers keep them there. We agree the retention plan as part of your treatment, because the result is only worthwhile if it is maintained.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Invisalign is priced after an assessment, because the plan depends on how far your teeth need to move and how long that takes. You will always have a personalised written quote before any treatment begins.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Leigh Knowles (GDC 76315), 14 October 2026.
