Enhance · Changing how your smile looks
Clear aligners with ClearCorrect
ClearCorrect aligners are a series of clear, removable trays that gradually move teeth towards a planned position, an alternative to fixed braces for suitable patients.
What it’s for
Aligners can be used to straighten crowded or spaced teeth and improve how teeth line up. Not every tooth movement can be achieved with aligners, and your dentist will tell you if another approach, or a referral to a specialist, would be better.
- Aligner
- A thin, clear, removable tray made for your teeth.
- Each stage
- Each new aligner moves the teeth a little further towards the planned position.
How clear aligners work
Each aligner is made for your teeth from thin, clear plastic and applies gentle, steady pressure to move particular teeth a small distance. After a set time, often a week or two, you move on to the next aligner in the series, until your teeth reach the planned position.
Several companies make clear aligners. ClearCorrect is one; others include Invisalign. They all work on this same principle. The system we offer at our practice in Pontcanna, Cardiff, is ClearCorrect.
To help the aligners grip, small tooth-coloured bumps called attachments are often bonded to some teeth and removed at the end of treatment. Sometimes a very small amount of enamel is polished from between teeth to make room for them to move. Your dentist will tell you if either is part of your plan.
Your assessment
Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums, talk about what you’d like to change and explain whether aligners are suitable. If you decide to go ahead, records such as photographs, X-rays and impressions or scans are used to plan the movement.
They will also explain what the fee includes (for example, retainers at the end of treatment) before you commit.
Who clear aligners may suit
Aligners are often used for mild to moderate crowding or spacing, and for some bite problems. They are usually for adults and older teenagers whose adult teeth have fully come through.
Your teeth and gums need to be healthy first, so any decay or gum disease is usually treated before you start. Aligners also depend on you: they only move teeth while they are being worn.
Some things limit what aligners can do, such as a large mismatch between the upper and lower jaws. A tooth replaced by an implant can’t be moved, although the teeth around it often can.
What happens
Assessment
An examination and a conversation about what you’d like to achieve.
Planning
Records are taken and your dentist plans the movement of your teeth.
Wearing your aligners
Each set is worn for most of the day, with review appointments along the way.
Retention
Retainers hold your teeth in their new position once treatment ends.
Living with aligners day to day
Aligners take a little getting used to. A few habits make treatment easier and help protect your teeth:
- Keep to plain water while your aligners are in: hot drinks can warp the plastic, and sugary or acidic drinks can be held against your teeth
- Brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in, so food isn’t trapped underneath
- Clean your aligners as your dentist advises, rinsing them in cool rather than hot water
- Keep them in their case when they’re out. Wrapped in a tissue or napkin, they are easily thrown away
- Keep up your usual check-ups and hygiene visits alongside your aligner reviews
What to expect during treatment
Your dentist will talk you through what treatment involves for you before you decide. A few things to know:
- You may feel some pressure or tightness for a day or two after changing to a new aligner, which soon eases
- Brushing before you put your aligners back in keeps your teeth and gums healthy
- If an edge rubs, your dentist can smooth it
- Sometimes teeth need a little longer, or a few extra aligners, to reach the planned position
- Retainers, usually worn at night, keep your new smile in place for the long term
Fees
- ClearCorrect clear aligners
- £2,500
Private fee guide, September 2026. Where a fee is shown as “from”, the final cost depends on your treatment; your dentist will explain your options and their costs before any treatment begins. See all fees.
Questions
How long do I need to wear them each day?
Usually around 22 hours a day, taking them out only to eat, drink anything other than water and clean your teeth. Your dentist will give you exact instructions.
Will I need a retainer afterwards?
Yes. Teeth tend to drift back after any orthodontic treatment, so retainers are needed to hold them in place. Your dentist will explain how and for how long to wear them.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on how far your teeth need to move. Your dentist will give you an estimate once your treatment has been planned.
Which aligner system do you use?
The clear aligner system offered at Opal is ClearCorrect.
Is ClearCorrect the same as Invisalign?
They are different brands, made by different companies, but they work on the same principle: a series of clear, removable aligners, planned from records of your teeth and each worn for a set time. With any system, careful planning matters, as does wearing the aligners as advised. Your dentist can explain how ClearCorrect would work for your teeth.
Do aligners hurt?
They aren’t usually painful, but many people feel pressure or tightness for a day or two after changing to a new aligner, as the teeth begin to move. Everyday painkillers can help if needed. If an aligner rubs or doesn’t seem to fit properly, contact us.
Will aligners affect my speech?
Some people notice a slight lisp for the first few days, while the tongue gets used to the aligners. It usually settles quickly, and wearing them consistently helps.
How much do clear aligners cost?
The current fee for ClearCorrect clear aligners is £2,500, as shown in the fee list on this page. If other treatment is needed first, such as a filling or a hygiene visit, your dentist will explain what it involves and what it costs.
Am I too old for aligners?
Usually not. Teeth can be moved at any age, as long as the teeth and gums are healthy. Gum health matters especially for adults, so your dentist will check it carefully at your assessment.
What if I lose or break an aligner?
Contact us as soon as you can. Your dentist may suggest going back to your previous aligner, or moving on to the next one, while a replacement is arranged. Try not to go without an aligner in the meantime, as teeth can start to move back.
Related treatments
Talk it through with us.
Every treatment starts with a conversation. We’ll explain your options and their costs, and you can take the time you need to decide.