Clear Aligners in Bilekahalli, Bengaluru
Clear aligners are thin, transparent trays that straighten teeth gradually. Each set moves the teeth a little, and you change to the next set every 1–2 weeks. You take them out to eat and to brush, so they only work if you wear them for most of the day.
- Treatment time
- 6–18 months
- Wear
- 20–22 hours a day
- Check-ups
- Every 6–8 weeks
- Anaesthesia
- None
When you might consider them
- Crowded or overlapping teeth.
- Gaps between the teeth.
- Teeth that have moved over the years, including after braces as a teenager.
- Some bite problems, such as upper teeth that sit too far over the lower ones, or behind them.
Aligners suit teenagers and adults with healthy gums. Because they come out, they only work if you wear them for 20–22 hours a day.
Clear aligners or braces?
| Clear aligners | Fixed braces | |
|---|---|---|
| How they look | Clear plastic, hard to notice | Metal or tooth-coloured brackets on the teeth |
| Removable | Yes, for eating and brushing | No, fixed until treatment ends |
| Eating | No restrictions; taken out to eat | Avoid hard and sticky food |
| Cleaning | Brush and floss as usual | Takes longer, around the wires |
| Depends on you wearing them | Yes, 20–22 hours a day | No |
| Suits | Many cases of crowding, gaps and some bite problems | Most cases, including more complex ones |
If braces would suit you better, we'll explain why and refer you to the orthodontist who visits our clinic. See braces.
What happens, step by step
- Consultation and records. We check your teeth, gums and bite, take X-rays and photographs, and make a 3D digital scan of your teeth with an intraoral scanner.
- Treatment plan and written estimate. A digital plan shows how your teeth are planned to move, stage by stage, and how many sets of aligners you need. You receive the plan, the expected length of treatment and the total fee in writing before treatment begins.
- Preparing the teeth. Small tooth-coloured bumps (attachments) may be bonded to some teeth to help the aligners grip and move them. Sometimes a very thin layer of enamel is polished from between teeth to make space.
- Wearing the aligners. You wear each set for 20–22 hours a day and change to the next set every 1–2 weeks.
- Check-ups. We check your progress every 6–8 weeks. If some teeth haven't moved as planned, extra aligners may be made to finish the treatment.
- Retainers. When treatment ends, the attachments are polished off and you receive retainers to keep your teeth in their new position.
Possible risks
- Pressure and tenderness for a day or two with each new set.
- Speech may be slightly affected for the first few days.
- Decay and gum problems if aligners are worn over food or sugary drinks, or put back without brushing.
- A result that differs from the plan if the aligners aren't worn enough or the teeth respond differently; extra aligners may then be needed.
- Slight shortening of the roots, which can happen with any tooth movement and is usually minor.
- Teeth moving back if retainers aren't worn as advised.
- Attachments coming off, which are simply bonded back on.
We go through the risks that apply to you before you decide.
Looking after your aligners and teeth
- Take the aligners out to eat, and to drink anything other than plain water.
- Brush your teeth before putting the aligners back in.
- Clean the aligners with a soft brush and cool water. Hot water can bend them.
- Keep them in their case whenever they're out of your mouth; aligners wrapped in a napkin are easily thrown away.
- Once treatment ends, wear your retainers exactly as advised.
Call us if an aligner cracks or stops fitting, an attachment comes off, or a tooth stays painful for more than a few days.
Fees
The fee depends on how much the teeth need to move and how many sets of aligners are needed. You receive a written estimate after the examination, before treatment starts. Call or WhatsApp us if you'd like an idea of the cost.
Questions patients ask
Do aligners hurt?
Most people feel pressure or tightness for a day or two when they start a new set. It shows the teeth are moving and usually eases quickly.
Will people notice them?
They are clear and fit closely, so they are hard to notice in conversation. The attachments are tooth-coloured.
Can I eat and drink with them in?
No. Take them out to eat and to drink anything other than plain water, then brush before putting them back, so food and sugar aren't trapped against your teeth.
Will they affect my speech?
Some people have a slight lisp for the first few days. It usually goes as your tongue gets used to them.
What happens if I don't wear them enough?
The teeth won't move as planned and the next set may not fit. Treatment then takes longer and may need extra sets of aligners.
Do I need a retainer afterwards?
Yes. Teeth tend to drift back after they have been straightened. A retainer, worn as advised (often every night in the long term), keeps them in place.
Am I too old for aligners?
Teeth can be moved at any age if the gums and bone around them are healthy. We check your gums first and treat any gum disease before starting.
Can aligners correct every case?
They work well for many cases of crowding, gaps and some bite problems. Severe crowding, a large difference between the upper and lower jaws, or some tooth rotations may be better treated with braces. We'll tell you after the scan.
Location
Dantya Dental, 18, 1st Floor, 6th Main St, Thayappa Garden, Ramanashree Enclave, Bilekahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076
Near Racket Club of Bengaluru, close to IIM Bangalore. Easy to reach from BTM Layout, JP Nagar, Arekere and Bannerghatta Road.
Monday to Saturday, 10am–8pm. Sundays by appointment.
Related treatments
Reviewed by Dr. Yashashwini N Simha, MDS (Prosthodontics and Implantology), FICOI (NDC Reg. No. 38871-A) on 22 October 2026.
This page gives general information. Your dentist will advise what suits you after examining you.