Who is not suitable for clear aligners ?
Again, it is difficult to answer this question without having a consultation. Broadly speaking, treatment is only suitable for people when they only require mild or moderate corrections to their teeth.
There is a smile assessment tool which may be useful in determining if you are suitable. Please contact us for an assessment at the practice.
32CO clear aligners process explained
1. The Consultation and treatment plan
First you will have a smile assessment of your teeth by a dentist. This does not include a checkup if you aren’t a patient at our practice. Your needs and what you would like to change with regard to your teeth are discussed. Following this, if you are suitable and decide to go ahead, we can book a longer appointment for full assessment and clinical record taking.
After the impressions of your teeth and have been scanned a treatment plan will be formed. This is referred to as a treatment design

Your dentist will work closely with a 32CO orthodontist to optimise your treatment plan. When this is ready the number of aligners and stages will be identified. You will receive a treatment design and plan showing the anticipated movements of your teeth.
2. Delivering and fitting your aligners
Once we have received your aligners, we will make arrangements to fit them. Sometimes you will be given a number of aligners and instructed on when to change them. Each one is numbered on the pouches they are delivered in and also printed on the aligner itself. Your progress will be reviewed with your provider roughly every 2-6 weeks.
At these appointments, your progress will be reviewed alongside the treatment design. Sometimes small tooth adjustment is required to create space. This is the process where up to 0.5mm of enamel can be removed from each surface of the tooth, this allows further space for your teeth to be aligned. This is known as interproximal reduction.

This interproximal reduction is done with thin abrasive strips most commonly. This process is painless and doesn’t require any local anaesthetic. Here is the British Orthodontic Society information leaflet on interproximal reduction.
3. Refinements
Sometimes as you reach the end of your treatment, extra refinements may be required to give you the very best results. Often this is included in your treatment plan and requires a new set of impressions, from which a small set of aligners are made to move your teeth into their final positions. Once all tooth movements are completed the most important stage comes next
4. Results and retention
Once you have reached the end of your treatment, it is really important to plan how we are going to hold the teeth in their new position. Usually teeth want to move back to their original position.
Retainers hold the teeth in place so your teeth do not move back to their original position (also known as relapse). You will require life-long retainer use to ensure you keep your teeth in their new positions.
Fixed vs removable retainers
Retention can either be removable, fixed or commonly – both may be required. Your clear alignerProvider will discuss which options will be used and which would be the best on a case by case basis.

5. Follow-up care
You will be advised by your 32CO provider how often you should be seen for a review and check-up following your treatment.