If you’re thinking about straightening your teeth with clear aligners, it’s natural to wonder what the process involves. How long does it take? Is it painful? How often do you need to see the dentist?
With Active Aligners, your treatment is dentist-led, personalised, and designed to fit into your everyday life. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to what you can expect on your journey: from your first consultation to your new smile.
Step 1: Your Initial Consultation
Your journey starts with a consultation at a dental practice offering Active Aligners.
During this visit, your dentist will:
- Assess your teeth, bite, and jaw
- Check your oral health (gums, bone levels, existing dental work)
- Discuss your smile goals
- Confirm whether clear aligners are the right option for you
If aligners are suitable, your dentist will take a digital 3D scan of your teeth, no messy impressions required. They will also take a set of quality control photos – the Before photos.
Step 2: Digital Treatment Planning
Your 3D scan and photos are used to create a custom digital treatment plan. This shows how your teeth will move step by step throughout treatment.
Your dentist, together with the Active Aligners team of experienced Orthodontists, carefully plans:
- How each tooth will move
- The safest sequence of movements
- Where attachments (small tooth-coloured shapes) and IPR (inter-proximal reduction) may be needed
- The expected treatment time
This personalised planning is a key reason dentist-led aligner treatment delivers predictable, long-lasting results.
Step 3: Receiving Your Active Aligners
Once your aligners are ready, you’ll return to the practice to:
- Receive your first sets of aligners
- Learn how to wear, remove, and clean them
- Have attachments placed if required (these help the aligners to achieve the desired tooth movements)
- IPR (inter-proximal reduction) may be required to make space for the teeth to move
- Get clear instructions on wear time, and a handy patient instruction booklet
Most patients wear their aligners 20–22 hours per day, changing to a new set every 2 weeks, as advised by their dentist.
Step 4: Living Your Life with Aligners
One of the biggest advantages of clear aligners is how easily they fit into daily life.
Eating & Drinking
You remove your aligners to eat and drink anything other than water. There are no food restrictions like braces.
Comfort
You may feel mild pressure when starting a new aligner, which is a sign that your teeth are moving. This usually settles within a day or two.
Social & Work Life
Active Aligners are discreet and popular with adults and teens across South Africa who want a subtle orthodontic solution.
Step 5: Check-Ups and Progress Reviews
You’ll see your dentist periodically during treatment to:
- Monitor progress
- Ensure your teeth are tracking correctly
- Additional IPR if necessary
- Address any concerns early
Teeth don’t always move exactly as predicted, and that’s normal. Regular dentist check-ups help keep your treatment on track.
Step 6: Refinements
Some patients require refinements, which are additional aligners used to fine-tune results after your Active Aligners treatment has been completed.
Active Aligners has a very low refinement rate for the following reasons:
- Regular monitoring by your dentist is essential to ensure that your teeth are tracking according to the treatment plan
- Your Dentist has emphasised that patient compliance is key – you need to wear your aligners 22 hours a day!
Step 7: Completing Treatment & Retainers
Once your teeth are aligned, your dentist will provide retainers to keep them in their new position.
This step is crucial. Without retainers, teeth can shift back over time.
Your dentist will advise:
- How often to wear your retainer
- How to care for it
- How to protect your results long term
Please remember: Retainers are for Life!
How Long Does Active Aligners Treatment Take?
Treatment time varies depending on your needs:
- Mild cases: a few months
- Moderate cases: 6–12 months
- More complex cases: longer, potentially with refinements
Your dentist will give you a realistic timeline during your consultation.
Why Choose Active Aligners?
Active Aligners combines modern clear aligner technology with professional dental supervision, offering:
- Personalised treatment plans
- Dentist-led care from start to finish
- Safe, ethical teeth straightening
- Results designed to last
Ready to Start Your Smile Journey?
If you’re considering clear aligners, the first step is a consultation with a dentist trained in Active Aligners treatment.
Book your Active Aligners consultation today and take the first step toward a confident, healthy smile.