Clear Aligners
Clear aligner therapy is an orthodontic treatment system that gives you beautiful, straight teeth without traditional metal braces.
Instead of metal braces, we use clear plastic aligners to move your teeth into the correct alignment gradually. Clear aligners can correct many of the same alignment problems as traditional braces, from crooked teeth to dental bite issues.
You should wear your aligners at night and throughout the day, removing them only for meals and brushing and flossing. They are virtually invisible, and most people will never know that you are wearing them.
Clear aligners like Invisalign® and ClearCorrect® are available for both teenagers and adults. Average treatment times are 12 to 18 months, but everyone starts with different needs, so your treatment time may be longer or shorter. Our dentist will work with you to create your customized plan and keep you informed of your progress.
Why Choose Clear Aligners? 
Clear aligners have numerous advantages over traditional braces:
- Traditional braces require appointments to tighten the wires and check the condition of the braces. With clear aligners, you just switch to the next set of aligners in the order of treatment laid out by your dentist.
- Braces can leave permanent marks on your teeth, and even with good oral hygiene, plaque can develop around brackets and damage tooth enamel.
- Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners allow you to eat any foods you want without restrictions.
- The wires of traditional braces can poke at your mouth and cause pain and even injury. A broken wire often means an additional visit to your dentist or orthodontist.
Who Is a Candidate for Clear Aligners?
Are you concerned about crooked teeth? Do you have a prominent overbite or underbite?
Clear aligners can treat these common problems and many others, including:
- Protruding teeth
- Wide gaps
- Uneven spacing
- Crowding
- Overbite
- Crossbite
Caring for Clear Aligners
It is easy to practice good oral hygiene habits during clear aligner therapy. Remove the aligners and brush and floss your teeth as usual. Brush your aligners and rinse with warm water or use the clear aligner cleaning kit to keep your aligners in good shape and free from bacteria.
Never use hot water to rinse or clean your aligners, as it can warp the plastic. You should also call our office if you crack or damage your aligner in any other way. A cracked aligner will not correctly move your teeth and impede your progress.
You should always brush your teeth following a meal and before placing your aligners back in your mouth. If you don't brush, bacteria become trapped against your teeth, and your aligners can become stained or damaged.
Please contact our office to find out more information. We are happy to schedule a consultation appointment to find out whether clear aligners are a good option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
While metal braces have come a long way in comfort and appearance, adults and older teens have more aesthetic options that better suit their lifestyles. Clear aligners can fix many cosmetic dental problems and are virtually undetectable. Since the trays are removable, you can clean your teeth thoroughly and eat the foods you enjoy.
Your orthodontist specialist can tell you if you’d benefit from clear aligners. In general, you’re a good candidate for clear aligners if:
Your oral issues are not severe. For example, an excessive open bite or underbite requires shifting the jaw using a more intensive treatment.
Your jaw has stopped growing, and you have all your permanent teeth.
You have the discipline to wear clear aligner trays for about 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat and clean teeth.
If you do have a severe misalignment issue, your dentist may be able to develop a treatment plan for you that includes both braces and clear aligners.
That doesn’t mean that less severe problems aren’t important enough to fix, however. Even slightly misaligned or overcrowded teeth can cause more serious problems if not treated. If you have any of these oral health issues, clear aligners might be perfect for you:
- Mildly misaligned teeth
- Minor bite problems
- Protruding teeth
- Gaps in teeth
- Overcrowding
- Malocclusion
- Overbite
OUR TEAM
Dr. Vincent Colletti
Dr. Vincent Colletti is the founder of Milestone Dental Omaha, bringing a patient-centered, relationship-driven approach to comprehensive dental care. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Creighton School of Dentistry in 2014 and has continued to expand his expertise through advanced postgraduate training. His additional education includes implant training through MaxiCourse Puerto Rico (2019), IV sedation certification in Portland, Oregon (2020), and advanced root canal training in Vancouver, British Columbia (2021).
Dr. Colletti began his career in dentistry in 2014 and opened Milestone Dental Omaha in early 2026 ...