What Are Clear Aligners?
Clear aligner systems serve as an alternative to traditional braces. Patients who use clear aligners can achieve a beautiful smile without using traditional metal brackets and wires. In our practice we utilize various clear aligners systems depending on the case presentation. We primarily utilize Invisalign and Spark clear aligner systems; with some aligner systems fabricated in house. Just like there is not a one size fits all for traditional braces, there are strengths to various clear aligner systems. Dr. Logan will work to identify what is best for your unique needs.
Our clear aligners are custom designed by Dr. Logan to fit your mouth. Each set is worn for one to two weeks and will gradually adjust the tooth position.
Every one to two weeks, you will get a new set of aligners that will adjust your teeth until you get the smile you’ve always dreamed of. This process usually takes six to twenty-four months to achieve, depending on case severity.
To start your clear aligner treatment, Dr. Logan will create a digital model of your teeth and design how your smile will look, and how your bite will fit together after you’ve finished treatment. After a few weeks, you will receive multiple plastic aligners that will gradually shift your teeth into place. This process is much less painful than metal braces, and you won’t have to deal with the dietary restrictions of braces.
At your initial consultation, Dr. Logan will take x-rays as well as a digital scan of your teeth. From these diagnostic records, he digitally creates a treatment plan that consists of several sets of aligners. These are custom-made to gently move your teeth to achieve a perfect smile.
Once Dr. Logan completes your treatment plan, he will send your plan to the manufacturer, where they will create your custom set of clear aligners. Unlike the brackets and wires associated with traditional braces, these aligners are virtually invisible. You will receive multiple sets of aligners over the course of treatment, but the number of aligners will vary from patient to patient depending on how far the teeth need to move.
Once you receive your aligners, you need to wear them for around 22 hours every day. You should only remove your aligners to:
- Eat
- Floss
- Brush
Most patients wear a set of aligners for one or two weeks before changing to the next set. When you reach the final set, you should end the process with your dream smile. Patients’ treatment times vary, but most patients’ complete treatment in the same amount of time, if not faster, than they would with traditional braces.
You’ll wear each set of plastic aligners for one or two weeks before you switch them out for the next set. To get the most benefit from your plastic aligners, keep them safe and clean by following these steps:
- Clean your aligners at least twice a day with a toothbrush and lukewarm water. Stay away from using toothpaste to clean your aligners, as it tends to discolor the plastic over time. Mouthwash works best, but hand soap works fine too.
- Remove your aligners before you eat or drink, although you may keep them in while drinking water.
- Brush or rinse your teeth thoroughly before putting your aligners back in.
- When not wearing your aligners, keep them in their case so you will not lose or break them.
When they are not in your face, They’re in the case!
Benefits for all
Traditional braces limit the foods you can eat. Generally, orthodontists recommend that patients with braces avoid sticky, chewy and hard foods. With aligners, you simply remove them to eat and drink, allowing you to eat whatever you want! As a result, patients with clear aligners face no dietary restrictions.
Traditional braces use wires, elastic, and metal brackets to pull your teeth into optimal position. Sometimes, the wires break or snap. These incidents often occur if you eat things not recommended for braces.
Broken wires can poke at the inside of your mouth and require professional repairs from an orthodontist. You don’t have to worry about this situation with clear aligners.
Many have trouble maintaining good oral hygiene with traditional braces. They have to brush and floss around brackets and wires. Aligners do away with this difficulty.
You simply remove the aligners when it’s time to brush and floss, making oral healthcare easy.
Clear aligners are a wonderful option for people with busy schedules! It switches the burden from patients having to come into the office every 4-6 weeks, to Dr. Logan doing most of the work behind the scenes!
Clear aligners are a great option for patients who may not live local to Bemidji or our satellite clinics (Park Rapids and Walker). They allow for less office visits, making for fewer trips into town. The typical office visit interval is about 8-12 weeks as long as you are following optimal tray wearing time.
Clear aligners generally require fewer emergency visits than traditional metal braces due to their design and materials. Unlike braces, which use brackets and wires that can break, poke, or become loose, clear aligners are made from smooth, durable plastic that fits snugly over the teeth. This reduces the likelihood of painful issues like wire irritation, broken brackets, or mouth sores. Aligners simply pop in and out, no pokey wires that may need immediate attention.
Clear Aligners for Kids
Are you considering your options to straighten your child’s teeth? If so, you may want to consider clear aligners. Clear aligners can adjust your child’s teeth without the use of brackets and wires that many children find uncomfortable.
Some parents worry that their children may refuse to wear the aligners in a pediatric clear aligner system. However, research shows that most children adapt quickly to the aligners – some younger patients even follow the aligner schedule better than adults!
We recommend that parents help younger children care for their aligners.
- They should wear them most of the day (22 hours per day).
- They should brush the aligner when they brush their teeth to keep the aligner free of harmful bacteria.
- They should remove the aligners when eating or drinking.
There is a lower risk of injury with clear aligners than tradition brackets and wires. For kids involved in contact sports or playing wind instruments, aligners can be safer and more convenient than metal braces.
Clear Aligners for Teens
Not that long ago, attaining a perfect smile meant donning metal braces that could take up to 3 years to achieve the desired results. Today, clear aligners are a popular alternative to braces that are nearly invisible and much more comfortable to wear.
If your teen son or daughter is looking for a more discreet way to enhance their smile, clear aligners from Bemidji Orthodontics offer a comfortable and flexible option—no need for metal braces or lengthy treatment times.
Clear aligners for adults and teens are very similar. Aligners for teens include features that address the unique needs of growing mouths like making room for adult teeth that haven’t fully come in yet.
Clear aligners offer a significant advantage when it comes to maintaining oral hygiene, especially for teens. Because aligners are removable, they make it easy to brush and floss just like normal, without any extra tools or complicated techniques. Teens can simply take out their aligners, clean their teeth thoroughly, and then put them back in—helping them maintain fresh breath and a healthy smile throughout their treatment.
In contrast, traditional braces are fixed in place and can be much more difficult to clean around. Flossing requires navigating between wires and brackets, often needing special floss threaders or interdental brushes. Food can easily get trapped, increasing the risk of plaque buildup, cavities, and gum problems if not cleaned meticulously. For busy teens, this added challenge can make it harder to stay consistent with their oral hygiene routine. Clear aligners simplify the process, making it easier to keep teeth clean and healthy during orthodontic treatment.
Clear Aligners for Adults
If you never had braces as a child, or if you had braces when you were younger but your teeth have shifted since then, clear aligners can help straighten your teeth and give you the smile you always dreamt of. Aligners are a great alternative to braces thanks to its near-invisible appearance, comfort, and flexibility.
Clear aligners are nearly invisible, making them a popular choice for adults who may feel self-conscious about wearing traditional braces. They allow you to continue your day-to-day life without a major disruption in appearance while also allowing you to achieve the smile of your dreams.
Clear aligners offer a more comfortable orthodontic experience compared to traditional bracket-and-wire braces. Unlike metal braces, which use wires and brackets that can irritate the inside of the mouth, clear aligners are made from smooth, flexible plastic that fits snugly over the teeth. This eliminates the risk of cuts, sores, or discomfort caused by sharp edges or poking wires. Additionally, aligners apply gentle, consistent pressure to shift teeth, avoiding the sudden adjustments and tightening often associated with braces. Overall, the streamlined design and reduced irritation make clear aligners a more comfortable choice for many individuals seeking orthodontic treatment.
Clear aligners offer a level of flexibility that makes them especially appealing to busy professionals, parents, and frequent travelers. Unlike traditional braces, aligners are removable, allowing adults to maintain their appearance and confidence during important meetings, presentations, or social events. This discretion is particularly valuable in professional settings where first impressions matter.
For those balancing work, family, or travel, the convenience goes beyond aesthetics. Clear aligner treatment typically requires fewer in-office visits, with appointments spaced further apart than with traditional braces. This means less disruption to a packed calendar and more freedom to manage orthodontic care around life's demands. Whether you're presenting in the boardroom, chasing after kids, or flying cross-country, clear aligners adapt to your lifestyle—not the other way around.
At Bemidji Orthodontics, we truly believe that it’s never too late to start orthodontic treatment—whether you’re 8 or 88 (and yes, we’ve seen both!).
Orthodontic care isn’t just for kids and teens anymore. More and more adults are choosing to straighten their teeth for health reasons, to boost confidence, or simply because the timing is finally right. With modern options like clear aligners, low-profile braces, and customized treatment plans, getting the smile you’ve always wanted is more comfortable and convenient than ever.
Clear Aligner FAQ’s
If you don’t like how your smile looks, Clear Aligners are an innovative and convenient way to straighten your teeth.
Below are some Clear Aligner FAQ that we often receive.
The cost for your clear aligners will vary depending on how much adjustment is necessary. However, Dr. Logan does not charge more for clear aligners than braces. Our office works hard to ensure every patient can get the care they deserve. Insurance companies will cover clear aligners as they do for braces. Our team can help you review your insurance coverage, and we also check your out-of-pocket costs that go past insurance. We get started with a consultation designed to answer all of your questions about your unique treatment plan.
Orthodontic treatment is an excellent investment in the overall health and well-being of children and adults. We’re pleased to offer our patients a variety of affordable payment options to ensure quality care fits within your budget. We provide flexible financing plans, interest-free payment options, and accept most insurance plans to help cover treatment costs. Our goal is to make achieving a beautiful, healthy smile accessible for everyone.
Most patients who’ve transformed their smiles with Clear Aligners report that it is more comfortable than the metal brackets, wires, hooks, and bands of traditional braces. The plastic aligners apply gentle pressure to each tooth to move it into place.
In the beginning, you may feel slight discomfort from the pressure. This is most common during the first week of treatment or when you change to a new set of aligners.
Caring for your aligners is simple.
- Clean your aligners at least twice a day with a toothbrush and lukewarm water. Stay away from using toothpaste to clean your aligners, as it tends to discolor the plastic. Mouthwash works best, but hand soap works fine too.
- Remove your aligners before you eat or drink, although you may keep them in while drinking water.
- Brush or rinse your teeth thoroughly before putting your aligners back in.
- When not wearing your aligners, keep them in their case so you will not lose or break them.
Dr. Logan frequently hears the phrase, “I was told my case can’t be treated with clear aligners.” More often than not, patients ARE candidates for clear aligners, they just need the right orthodontist to be using it. Dr. Logan has advanced training in clear aligner modalities and prefers to treat many different case types with clear aligners.
Embark on your journey to a beautiful, confident smile with Bemidji Orthodontics. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!