Clear Aligners · Orlando & Clermont, FL
Sometimes moving teeth beats covering them.
Here’s something a veneer-hungry industry doesn’t say enough: if your teeth are healthy but crowded or gapped, aligning them — then whitening — may be the entire makeover. And when veneers are the plan, alignment first often means less drilling and thinner, more conservative porcelain. It’s a principle Dr. Calish teaches other dentists as “Align Before You Restore.”
Aligners fit you if…
- Crowding, gaps, or rotation bother you on otherwise healthy teeth
- Your smile has shifted since braces (or you never had them)
- You want a discreet option that fits an adult professional life
- You’re preparing for conservative veneers and want the best foundation
They’re not the answer if…
- Your concern is shape, wear, or color — aligners move teeth, they don’t repair or whiten them
- Your bite discrepancy is severe — some cases need conventional orthodontics
- You won’t wear trays 20–22 hours a day — compliance is the treatment
- Gum disease is active — health first, movement second
Process: records and digital scan → movement plan you approve before starting → tray series with periodic checks → retainers (non-negotiable — teeth drift for life). Timeline: cosmetic cases often 4–10 months. Cost: typically $3,000–$7,000. Considerations: temporary speech adjustment and pressure sensations; attachments may be visible up close; results vary. See Cost & Financing.
Aligner questions
Can aligners replace veneers for me?
If position is your only complaint — often yes. If shape, wear, or deep color is involved, aligners may be phase one, with veneers as a lighter phase two.
Is 40 (or 60) too old for aligners?
No. Healthy teeth and gums move at any age. Adult cosmetic alignment is a large share of our aligner cases.
Aligners vs braces?
For most adult cosmetic cases, aligners win on discretion and hygiene. Complex bite corrections may still favor braces — we’ll tell you honestly if that’s you.