Clear Aligners for Teens

Clear aligners are a popular and effective way to straighten teeth – without the look or hassle of traditional braces.

Just like traditional braces, clear aligners put a small amount of pressure on the teeth to move them into place. Unlike traditional braces, they are made of a clear and completely removable plastic that you can take out during eating, brushing and flossing, or important events.

Clear aligners are made from digital molds of your teeth. A tray is made from the digital mold of your current teeth, with changes that target misalignment. Typically, you wear one aligner for one to two weeks until you advance to the next one. Each week, your aligner moves your teeth incrementally until you reach your perfect smile.

Clear aligners are best for minor misalignment of the teeth, while traditional braces might be better if you have severe misalignment, gaps, or bite issues.

Clear aligners for teens feature two elements especially made for their needs:

  • Eruption tabs that make room for teeth that haven’t fully grown in yet.
  • Compliance Indicators that track how often the aligner is being used. It must be used for 22 hours a day, or treatment will be affected.

Benefits of Clear Aligners for Teens

  • A discreet look

Not only do clear aligners have a discreet look in the day-to-day, you are also free to take them out for prom or other special events.

  • Easier for contact sports and playing an instrument

Both traditional braces and clear aligners can be affected by impact from contact sports, which can set back treatment. Conveniently, clear aligners can be removed before contact sports to avoid any potential issue. If desired, they can also be removed before playing an instrument.

  • No food restrictions

Since clear aligners must be removed before eating, there are no food restrictions to what you can eat during treatment.

  • Maintaining oral hygiene is easier

Clear aligners are removed before brushing and flossing, which make maintaining oral hygiene almost the same as before treatment. The main difference is that it is important to brush after eating, including lunch. If food is stuck in teeth, aligners won’t fit back in.

  • Appointments are faster, easier, and never an emergency

Because there are no wires or brackets, if the aligner is damaged, you won’t need an emergency visit. Since aligners don’t require adjustments like traditional braces, appointments take less time. Appointments will be quick and occur every six to eight weeks.

Ensuring Your Teen’s Success

It’s important to keep a few things in mind while you are going through the clear aligner process.

  • Compliance is key.

It’s important to wear your aligner for the majority of the day and night. Taking your aligners out too much or for too long will stall treatment.

  • They can get lost.

At your appointment, you will be given a case to store your aligner while you brush, play a sport or instrument, or eat. They can easily get lost and accidentally thrown away if you’re not careful.

  • The aligners must be cleaned regularly

It’s important to clean your aligners, and can do so with a brush and toothpaste, or with a denture cleaner solution.

  • It’s especially important to maintain your oral hygiene

Aligners will push any food further into teeth and gum line, so it’s important to brush and floss after every meal.

Our Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-3:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Your kind words help us and others grow our practice.

Lloyd H. Alpert, D.D.S. appreciates your feedback. Please follow the links below to leave your feedback on the review site of your choice.

 
 

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say About Us

  • "The staff are always so accommodating and friendly, no waiting and very good and thorough dental work"
    Sherri W.
  • "I rated 10 on the question about referring a friend because I have done so. She went yesterday and I asked her about the experience and she was very pleased. No surprise here!! I have always felt that the people who help me, including Dr. Alpert, treat me and my dental health at a level of attention far above that required to simply do a job. They show a genuine concern about my welfare; I need their help; I am glad they are there. As Dr. Alpert said on my last visit about a potential issue, they will “keep an eye on it” for me. I find that vigilance genuinely re-assuring. Over the years I have have come to appreciate that re-assurance as a form of good medicine."
    Robert W.
  • "Very friendly staff! Dr. Alpert is a very good Dentist. I have been very happy with the quality work he has done on my teeth. I highly recommend him!"
    Martha L.
  • "I had a very good experience there, everyone was very friendly professional and good at what they do. I had a cleaning which was virtually pain free and 2 fillings done in one visit.
    I will be going back to this dentist and would recommend to anyone that I know."
    Harold H.
  • "I have been going to the Dental Care of Waterford for over 50 years. The receptionist(s) are eager to make you feel welcome and relaxed. Becky, the hygienist is caring and efficient.
    Dr. Lloyd Alpert does a thorough exam and addresses any concerns and asks if there is still problems.
    The staff is quick to respond to any concerns their patients have.
    I would highly recommend Dental Care of Waterford, MI."
    Barbara R.
  • "haven't had the ability to see a dentist in over 3 years due to Covid and loss of insurance. Now that i was able to seek dental care i was able to schedule an appointment within 3 days of calling to have a cracked filling taken care of... Staff is amazingly friendly and considerate of any needs and even asked if I had insurance just to make sure I could have X-rays done and not have to pay for my visit with one of my kidneys. Dr. Alpert is wonderful! Explained everything that he was about to do and how it might feel. completely painless and fast visit for a filling nonetheless. I definitely have found my new dental office and can actually say I look forward to my cleaning!"
    Kelly S.
  • "This was my first visit to Dr. Alpert's office. I was referred by a friend. Everyone was so nice and knowledgeable. I had the most thorough cleaning I think I've ever had. Everyone put you completely at ease. I highly recommend this dentist."
    Karen M.
  • "Ever been in a situation where you have a dental emergency and call about 20 dentist offices trying to get in? I have and Dr. Alpert's office was the only office to get me in within 24 hours. They were able to help me with my shattered tooth problem totally painlessly. Anytime I've been in for a cleaning, the wait has been minimal. The staff is friendly and professional. I'm in and out in no time. I would highly recommend Dr. Alpert to anyone in the area for last-minute needs and cleanings. His offer is a little hard to spot but it is right off M59 and there is ample parking"
    Alexandrea L.