ClearCorrect® aligners offer a discreet, modern approach to orthodontics—designed to move teeth gently and predictably while fitting into busy lives.
ClearCorrect® relies on a series of custom-made, nearly invisible plastic aligners that gradually guide teeth into improved positions. Each aligner is engineered from a digital treatment plan created from impressions or intraoral scans, so every step is mapped out before treatment begins. Patients switch to the next tray in the series every one to two weeks, allowing consistent, incremental movement throughout the course of care.
Unlike traditional braces that use wires and brackets, ClearCorrect® applies gentle pressure over time without fixed hardware in the mouth. This design makes it easier to maintain oral hygiene and reduces the likelihood of soft tissue irritation from brackets or poking wires. The predictability of aligner staging helps clinicians monitor progress and make refinements when needed.
Because the system is entirely removable, aligner therapy combines clinical precision with patient convenience. The trays are clear and low-profile, which is why many adults and older teens choose ClearCorrect® when they want aligner-style orthodontics that are effective yet unobtrusive.
One of the strongest appeals of ClearCorrect® is its discreet appearance: the transparent plastic is difficult to see in normal conversation, so treatment can proceed with minimal impact on a person’s appearance. This aesthetic advantage is especially important for professionals, college students, and image-conscious patients who prefer a low-visibility option for straightening teeth.
Removability is another major benefit. Because the aligners come out for eating and oral care, patients face fewer dietary restrictions and can brush and floss normally, which supports better gum and tooth health during treatment. Sports and musical instrument use are typically easier and safer without fixed brackets or wires in the mouth.
Beyond convenience, ClearCorrect® can address a wide range of orthodontic concerns—crowding, spacing, and mild-to-moderate bite irregularities—making it a versatile choice for many treatment plans. The clinical team evaluates each case to determine whether aligner therapy is the best path forward based on dental health and treatment goals.
Initial steps include a comprehensive exam and diagnostic records: dental images, photos, and a digital scan or impressions of your teeth. Using these records, the treatment team creates a step-by-step plan that outlines the intended tooth movements and an estimated timeline. This plan serves as the blueprint for manufacturing the series of aligners that you’ll wear throughout treatment.
Appointments during active treatment are generally brief and focused on monitoring progress, exchanging refined treatment stages if needed, and addressing any clinical adjustments such as attachments or interproximal reduction when indicated. These visits allow your clinician to ensure that the aligners are tracking as planned and to make minor corrections if tooth movement does not follow the projected path.
Compliance plays a key role in successful outcomes: aligners should be worn as directed—typically 20 to 22 hours per day—to achieve predictable movement. Your clinician will offer guidance on fitting, cleaning, and care for the trays, along with strategies to help you stay on schedule and get the most from your treatment.
Everyday life with ClearCorrect® is generally straightforward. Remove the trays to eat and drink anything other than plain water, then rinse and reinsert them afterward. Regular brushing and flossing remain essential—aligners make these tasks simpler than with braces, but maintaining excellent oral hygiene is still critical to avoid staining, cavities, or gum irritation during treatment.
Cleaning your aligners is also important for comfort and longevity. Rinse them after meals, brush them gently with a soft toothbrush (no abrasive toothpaste), and store them in a protective case when not in use. Avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic, and follow any recommended cleaning products your clinician suggests.
If you play sports or wind instruments, ClearCorrect® typically allows more flexibility than fixed appliances; however, your clinician can advise on protective measures, such as wearing a mouthguard for contact sports. For occasional discomfort that may follow switching trays, over-the-counter pain relievers and cold-soft foods can help during the first few days as teeth adapt to a new aligner.
ClearCorrect® is an effective option for many teens and adults with mild-to-moderate orthodontic concerns, including crowded teeth, gaps, and certain bite issues. However, it isn’t the universal solution for every orthodontic problem; complex skeletal or severe bite discrepancies sometimes still require traditional braces or a multidisciplinary approach involving orthodontics and oral surgery.
A comprehensive evaluation determines candidacy: dental and periodontal health, bone support, and the complexity of the tooth movements all factor into the decision. Good oral hygiene and realistic expectations about treatment time and compliance are also important considerations for predictable results.
When ClearCorrect® is appropriate, it often provides a comfortable, conservative route to a straighter smile. The practice’s clinical team will outline the goals, expected timeline, and any adjunctive measures that could improve results—ensuring that each treatment plan is customized to the patient’s dental health and lifestyle.
Choosing ClearCorrect® can be a discreet, patient-friendly way to improve tooth alignment while preserving daily routines. If you’d like to learn whether ClearCorrect® is the right option for you, contact Ballston Dental Center for more information and to schedule a consultation. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you explore treatment possibilities.
ClearCorrect® is a system of custom, clear plastic aligners designed to move teeth incrementally according to a digital treatment plan. Unlike traditional braces, ClearCorrect® does not use brackets or wires, so the trays are removable for eating and oral hygiene. The clear, low-profile design makes the aligners less noticeable during everyday activities.
Because the aligners are removable, patients typically face fewer dietary restrictions and can maintain their normal brushing and flossing routine. Treatment is planned using digital scans or impressions, which lets clinicians visualize staged tooth movements before manufacturing each tray. This predictability helps providers monitor progress and make adjustments when appropriate.
ClearCorrect® moves teeth through a series of progressively shaped aligners that apply gentle, targeted pressure to specific teeth. Each aligner represents a small step in the overall plan, and patients switch to the next tray in the series at intervals recommended by their clinician. This stepwise approach produces consistent, controlled movement toward the planned final positions.
The treatment begins with a diagnostic phase that includes photos and a digital scan or impressions used to create a comprehensive plan. Clinicians can include attachments or interproximal reduction when indicated to guide complex movements, and regular reviews ensure the aligners are tracking as planned. If tooth movement deviates from expectations, refinements can be incorporated into the treatment sequence.
ClearCorrect® is commonly recommended for teens and adults with mild-to-moderate orthodontic issues such as crowding, spacing, and certain bite irregularities. A good candidate typically has healthy teeth and gums and is committed to wearing the aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day. Complex skeletal discrepancies or very severe bite problems may require traditional braces or combined surgical and orthodontic care.
A thorough clinical evaluation determines candidacy, including assessment of periodontal health, bone support, and the complexity of the desired tooth movements. Your clinician will discuss realistic expectations for treatment time and outcomes and will recommend adjunctive steps if they will improve results. Good oral hygiene and adherence to the treatment schedule are important predictors of success.
The consultation begins with a clinical exam, dental images, and either a digital intraoral scan or traditional impressions to capture your current tooth positions. Using these records, the dental team creates a diagnostic treatment plan that maps the intended sequence of tooth movements and estimates the timeline for care. This plan is reviewed with you so you understand each phase of treatment and any recommended adjunctive procedures.
Once you approve the plan, the aligner series is fabricated based on the digital staging, and the first trays are delivered at a fitting appointment. Subsequent visits are typically brief and focus on monitoring progress, exchanging aligners when appropriate, and making adjustments such as placing attachments or performing interproximal reduction if needed. Clear communication at each step helps ensure consistent progress toward the treatment goals.
Proper care of ClearCorrect® aligners helps preserve their clarity and effectiveness: rinse the trays after eating, brush them gently with a soft toothbrush, and avoid abrasive toothpaste or hot water that can warp the plastic. Store aligners in a protective case when not in use to prevent damage and reduce the risk of loss. Follow any manufacturer or clinician-recommended cleaning solutions for deeper cleaning as directed.
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential during aligner therapy because plaque accumulation can lead to staining, decay, or gum inflammation. Remove the aligners for eating and brush and floss before reinserting them to keep both teeth and trays clean. Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings remain important to monitor periodontal health throughout treatment.
Many patients notice only a minor, temporary change in speech when they first begin wearing ClearCorrect® as the tongue adjusts to the presence of the trays. These changes typically resolve within a few days as you become accustomed to the aligners. Because the trays are removable and low-profile, they generally interfere less with sports, wind instruments, and daily activities than fixed braces.
For contact sports, your clinician can advise on an appropriate mouthguard that fits over or around the aligners if needed, and musicians often adapt quickly with short practice sessions. If any functional concern persists, your treatment team can evaluate the fit and recommend small adjustments to improve comfort and performance.
Attachments are small, tooth-colored composite bumps bonded to specific teeth to help the aligners grip and apply forces needed for more complex movements. They act as anchors or leverage points that improve control over rotations, extrusions, or root movements that the aligner alone might not achieve predictably. Attachments are placed discreetly and are removed or smoothed once the associated movements are complete.
The need for attachments is determined during treatment planning based on the type and magnitude of tooth movements required. Your clinician will explain where attachments will be placed, how they function, and what to expect during placement and removal. Proper oral hygiene around attachments is important to prevent plaque buildup during treatment.
Progress is monitored through periodic clinical evaluations where the dental team checks aligner fit, tooth movement, and overall oral health. These visits allow clinicians to verify that teeth are tracking according to the planned stages and to identify areas that may need additional attention. If movement falls behind the plan, a refinement—an updated series of aligners—can be prescribed to correct discrepancies and continue toward the intended outcome.
Digital records and scans make it easier to compare expected versus actual progress and to communicate any adjustments needed for the remaining stages. Timely communication and adherence to wear-time recommendations improve the likelihood that refinements will be minimal. Your clinician will discuss the timing and rationale for any refinements so you understand the next steps.
ClearCorrect® can effectively treat many bite issues such as mild-to-moderate overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites, depending on the individual case and skeletal considerations. However, severe skeletal discrepancies or very complex tooth movements may require a multidisciplinary approach, including traditional orthodontics or orthognathic surgery. The clinical team evaluates both dental and skeletal factors to determine whether aligner therapy alone is appropriate.
When aligners are indicated for more complex corrections, clinicians may combine ClearCorrect® with adjunctive procedures such as attachments, elastics, or minor enamel reshaping to achieve the desired outcome. A comprehensive diagnostic workup helps set realistic goals and identifies when collaboration with orthodontic or surgical specialists would benefit the patient. Clear planning helps ensure treatment is safe and effective for each individual's needs.
To begin ClearCorrect® treatment at Ballston Dental Center, schedule a consultation where the team will perform a comprehensive exam, take dental images, and capture digital scans or impressions of your teeth. During that visit the clinician will review your medical and dental history, discuss treatment goals, and present a personalized plan that outlines the sequence of aligners and anticipated milestones. This initial meeting is an opportunity to ask questions about daily care, expected timeline, and any adjunctive procedures that may be recommended.
After you agree to a treatment plan, the aligner series is fabricated and you will return for the fitting of your first trays and instruction on wear, cleaning, and tracking progress. If you would like to schedule a consultation or learn more, call (703) 436-1512 or visit our office at 4141 N Henderson Rd, Suite 18, Arlington, VA 22203 to arrange an appointment. The clinical team will outline the next steps and provide guidance tailored to your oral health and lifestyle.
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