“Very nice treatment.”
Clear aligners
Clear Aligners in Kondapur, Hyderabad
Clear aligners are a series of removable, transparent trays that move your teeth a little at a time. People choose them because they are hard to see and can be taken out to eat and clean. They work well for some problems and poorly for others, and knowing which is which is the point of this page.
Elite Dental Clinic is a dental clinic in Kondapur, Hyderabad. This page is medically reviewed by Dr. Revathi Indukuri, a dentist at the clinic, and aligners are planned by the clinic's orthodontists. It explains how clear aligners in Kondapur work, what they can and cannot move, the risks and how your plan is set.
- Wear time
- 20 to 22 hours a day
- New tray
- Every 1 to 2 weeks
- Removable
- Yes
- Open
- Every day
Open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. If you have pain or swelling, call or send a WhatsApp message before you come so your visit can be planned.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Revathi Indukuri, BDS, MDS (Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics). Last reviewed . About the reviewer
Quick answer
Clear aligners are removable transparent trays that move teeth a little at a time. At Elite Dental Clinic in Hyderabad, they are planned after an evaluation and scans, and they suit mild to moderate crowding or spacing, worn for most of the day.
01 Overview
What are clear aligners and how do they move teeth?
A clear aligner is a thin, transparent tray made to fit your teeth. Each tray in a series is slightly different from the one before, so the teeth are pushed a small distance at a time. The American Dental Association lists removable aligners as an option for treating orthodontic problems, alongside braces.3
Aligners are a form of invisible braces. Some systems are known by brand name, such as Invisalign. Small tooth-coloured bumps called attachments are often bonded to some teeth to give the tray something to grip.
Aligners are not the answer to every problem. A systematic review of Invisalign treatment found that aligners can predictably level, tip and rotate teeth, apart from canines and premolars, but had limited effect on widening the arch by moving teeth bodily, closing gaps left by extractions, correcting how the teeth meet and larger front-to-back or vertical jaw differences.1
The same review concluded that, on the evidence available, there was no clear clinical recommendation apart from non-extraction treatment of mild to moderate bite problems in patients who have stopped growing.1 That is why an examination comes before any decision.
In short, aligners suit mild to moderate problems well, and your bite decides whether they suit you.
Clear aligners are one form of teeth straightening, and people with crowded teeth often ask about them as clear braces they can remove.
02 Candidacy
Who are clear aligners suitable for in Kondapur?
Aligners suit adults and older teenagers whose teeth have stopped moving, and who can wear the trays for most of the day. The two lists below describe the general pattern.
Usually suits
- Mild to moderate crowding or small gaps between the teeth1
- Teeth that have drifted or relapsed after earlier braces
- Healthy gums and no untreated cavities
- Someone who can keep the trays in for around 20 to 22 hours a day
Needs caution or a different plan
- Large differences between the upper and lower jaws, where aligners had limited effect1
- Teeth that must be rotated, such as canines and premolars, which are harder to turn with aligners12
- Cases that need teeth removed and the gaps closed, or the arch widened by moving teeth bodily1
- Poor cleaning habits, untreated gum disease, or difficulty in wearing trays for most of the day
Aligners work for the movements they are good at, and braces suit the rest.
03 Options
Which clear aligner option fits your teeth in Kondapur?
The choice depends on how much movement your teeth need and how you will wear the trays. Whichever is chosen, retainers are needed afterwards.
Invisalign and similar aligner systems
Digitally planned trays, changed in sequence. Suited to mild to moderate problems. See Invisalign.
Planned for each case
A short aligner course for small changes
For small movements, such as a slightly rotated or crowded front tooth, fewer trays may be needed.
A few months
Braces when aligners will not do
For problems that aligners move poorly, braces give more control. See braces treatment and ceramic braces.
1 to 3 years
For a child or a growing teenager, the plan is different, see braces for kids. If the main wish is a better-looking smile, smile designing can combine alignment with other treatments.
| Compared on | Clear aligners | Braces |
|---|---|---|
| Removable | Yes | No |
| How visible | Hard to see | Visible, or less visible with ceramic |
| Suits larger or more complex movements | Limited for some1 | Usually yes |
| Depends on your wear time | Yes, 20 to 22 hours a day | No |
Aligners are the less visible option, and braces give more control, so the movement your teeth need decides.
04 Procedure
How are clear aligners planned and worn, step by step?
The planning comes first, and treatment is a series of trays worn in order. The number of trays and visits depends on your plan, and you are told the plan for yours at the evaluation.
The plan is drawn before the first tray is made.
Examination and orthodontic records
The orthodontist examines your teeth, gums and bite, and takes X-rays and photos. Cavities and gum disease are treated first, because aligners are worn over the teeth.
Scans for the aligner trays
A digital scan or impressions record your teeth. They are used to plan the movement of each tooth and to make the series of trays.
Fitting the aligners and attachments
The first trays are fitted, and small tooth-coloured attachments are bonded to some teeth. You are told how to insert and remove the trays and how to clean them. A teeth cleaning may be done first.
Wearing each tray and checking progress
Each tray is worn for around 20 to 22 hours a day and changed on the schedule you are given. Review visits check that the teeth are moving as planned, and extra trays are made if they are not.
Retainers after aligners
When the teeth reach the planned position, retainers hold them there, because teeth tend to move back without a retention phase.
05 Cost
What decides the cost of clear aligners in Kondapur, Hyderabad?
Treatment is planned for one person, not sold as a product, so the cost follows your evaluation.
Two people with crooked teeth can need very different plans. For that reason Elite Dental Clinic does not quote a cost before an evaluation. You receive a written plan that lists each stage before any treatment starts.
What the evaluation looks at
- How much movement the teeth need, and whether aligners can achieve it
- The number of trays, and whether extra trays are needed along the way
- Whether cavities, gum disease or cleaning are needed before aligners start
- Whether some teeth need attachments or other helpers
What you decide with the dentist
- The aligner system chosen
- The number of review visits and who supervises them
- The type of retainers after treatment
Your medical history matters too, including any allergies to materials.
The cost follows the plan, and the plan follows the evaluation.
06 Aftercare
What is it like to wear clear aligners?
Most people adjust within a week or two. How well treatment goes depends mainly on how many hours a day the trays are in.
First week
Teeth can feel tight or sore for a few days when a new tray is started, and the trays can feel odd when you speak. Both settle with wear.
Every day
Wear the trays for around 20 to 22 hours a day, and take them out to eat and drink anything other than water. Brush before putting them back, or food stays trapped against the teeth.
Looking after the trays
Clean the trays daily and keep them in their case when they are out. Lost or cracked trays delay treatment, so tell the clinic early and do not skip ahead.
After the last tray
Wear your retainers as directed, because teeth tend to relapse without them. Keep attending check-ups.
When to call us
Call the clinic if a tray cracks or is lost, an attachment comes off, a tooth becomes very painful, a tray no longer fits, or your gums bleed heavily or swell. If you have swelling of your face or trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Aligners move teeth only while they are worn, so the hours in the mouth decide the result.
07 Limits
When are clear aligners the wrong choice?
Aligners are usually not advised, or are changed to braces, in these situations:
- Untreated cavities, infection or gum disease, which are treated first.
- Large front-to-back or vertical differences between the jaws, where aligners had limited effect.1
- Teeth that need to be turned, especially canines and premolars, or moved bodily.12
- Treatment that needs teeth removed and gaps closed, or the arch widened.1
- A person who cannot wear the trays for most of the day, because the trays move teeth only while they are in.
- A growing child, where braces or a growth-based plan is usually used.
If aligners will not do the job, see braces treatment.
Risks and complications
The main risks are sore teeth and gums, trouble with speech at first, tooth decay or gum problems if the teeth are not cleaned before each tray, lost or broken trays that delay treatment, and teeth that do not move as planned.
In a systematic review of clear aligners, the accuracy of the planned movement varied by tooth and movement. Rotation was achieved about 55% of the time for upper central incisors, but only about 32% for upper canines.2
Teeth tend to move back when treatment ends if retainers are not worn, so retainers are part of the plan.
Aligners are worth choosing only when the movement your teeth need is one that aligners do well.
08 Your visit
What happens at your first clear aligner appointment in Kondapur?
At the first visit the dentist listens to what bothers you, examines your teeth, gums and bite and reviews X-rays. If aligners suit you, you are told the system, the likely number of trays and what each stage involves. You receive a written plan that lists each stage before any treatment starts.
Bring any earlier dental X-rays, photos of how your teeth used to look and a list of your medicines. Tell the dentist if you have worn braces before, grind your teeth or have any allergies.
The team speaks English, Telugu and Hindi. You are under no obligation to go ahead with treatment, and you can take the written plan home to think it over.
The first visit ends with a plan, not a commitment.
09 Why this clinic
Why choose Elite Dental Clinic for clear aligners in Kondapur?
Medical reviewer of this page
Dr. Revathi Indukuri
BDS, MDS (Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics)
BDS, Sree Sai Dental College Research Institute, 2009
MDS, Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, 2016
Aligners work well when the teeth and gums are healthy and the plan fits the movement needed. I look at the gums and any decay first, because aligners cannot be worn over a problem that should be treated, and I am honest when braces would do the job better.
Dr. Revathi Indukuri
Dr. Revathi Indukuri reviewed this page as a dentist at the clinic. Her MDS in conservative dentistry and endodontics covers the fillings and root canals that may need treatment before aligners start. The aligners themselves are planned by the clinic's orthodontists, who are listed on the clinic's team board.
Orthodontists on the team
The clinic's team board lists orthodontists, and the clinic's earlier website describes Invisalign and invisible braces, so aligners are planned by dentists trained in tooth movement.
Honest about what aligners cannot do
The limits are explained at the evaluation, including the movements aligners do poorly, so braces are suggested when they would do the job better.
A written plan before treatment
You receive a written plan that lists each stage before any treatment starts, so you know what comes next.
Health treatment at the same clinic
Cavities and gum problems can be treated before aligners start, with the same X-rays and records.
Orthodontists on the team, honest limits and a written plan are what this clinic stands behind.
10 Reviews
Patient reviews of Elite Dental Clinic in Kondapur
Recent patient reviews of Elite Dental Clinic
“The treatment was smooth and the dentist was very cooperative and did the procedure smoothly”
“Had a great expertise team with a well qualified doctors”
11 Visit us
Dentist in Kondapur, Hyderabad: location, hours and access
Elite Dental Clinic
2nd floor, Artham's Arcade, above Vijaya Diagnostics
Kondapur, Raghavendra Colony, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, Telangana 500084
070320 78789
Kondapur, Raghavendra Colony, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, Telangana 500084
070320 78789
| Monday to Sunday | 9:00 am to 9:00 pm |
|---|
The clinic is on the second floor of Artham's Arcade, above Vijaya Diagnostics, in Raghavendra Colony.
Patients looking for clear aligners or invisible aligners in Kondapur will find the clinic above Vijaya Diagnostics in Artham's Arcade, Raghavendra Colony. Languages spoken: English, Telugu and Hindi. More about the clinic: dentist in Kondapur.
The clinic is on the second floor above Vijaya Diagnostics and is open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
12 Travelling patients
Clear aligners in Hyderabad for patients from other cities and countries
Aligners are often chosen by people who travel, because the trays are worn at home and checked at review visits. If you live outside Hyderabad, connect with the clinic on WhatsApp or by phone before you travel, and the team will help you plan your visit.
The evaluation, scans and the written plan can be done in one visit. Ask the orthodontist how many review visits are needed, and which of them must be in person and which can be checked from photos.
Ask for your scans, photos and the written plan before you leave. The clinic is open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and the team speaks English, Hindi and Telugu.
Plan the review visits first, and the trays can be worn wherever you live.
13 Questions
Clear aligner questions from patients in Kondapur
How long do clear aligners take?
It depends on how much the teeth need to move. A short course for small changes can take a few months, and larger changes take longer. The orthodontist gives you an expected number of trays after the scans, and the plan can change as the teeth respond.
Do clear aligners hurt?
Teeth can feel tight or sore for a few days when a new tray is started, and the trays can affect speech at first. Both settle with wear. Call the clinic if a tooth becomes very painful or a tray rubs the gum.
How many hours a day must I wear them?
Around 20 to 22 hours a day, and you take them out to eat and drink anything other than water and to clean your teeth. The trays move the teeth only while they are in the mouth, so fewer hours means slower or incomplete movement.
Are clear aligners as good as braces?
For mild to moderate crowding and spacing in adults, aligners can work well. A systematic review found limited effect for some movements, such as turning canines and premolars, closing extraction gaps and larger jaw differences. In those cases braces are usually a better choice.
What happens if I lose or crack a tray?
Tell the clinic the same day. You may be asked to go back to the previous tray or to move to the next one, and a replacement may be made. Do not skip ahead on your own, because the teeth may not be ready.
Do I need retainers after clear aligners?
Yes. Teeth tend to move back towards where they started when treatment ends, so retainers hold the new position. The orthodontist tells you the type and how long to wear them.
How is the cost of clear aligners decided?
Treatment is planned for one person, so the cost is given after the evaluation. The amount of movement, the number of trays, the aligner system and any health treatment needed first all change the plan. You receive a written plan before treatment starts.
Can teenagers use clear aligners?
Sometimes. The evidence for aligners is strongest in adults whose teeth have stopped growing, and a growing child often needs a different plan. The orthodontist checks growth and the bite before advising aligners or braces.
14 Second opinion
Want a second opinion on your clear aligner plan?
If another clinic has advised aligners, or told you aligners will not work, bring your scans and the written plan to your evaluation. The dentist will go through them with you and explain the options in plain words. Call or send a WhatsApp message to book your visit. The evaluation is the first step, and you are under no obligation to go ahead with treatment.
15 Related
Treatments often considered alongside clear aligners
Invisalign
A well-known branded clear aligner system, planned from a digital scan.
Braces treatment
The usual choice when the movement needed is more than aligners do well.
Smile designing
Combines alignment with whitening, bonding or veneers in one plan.
Sources
- Clinical effectiveness of Invisalign orthodontic treatment: a systematic review, Progress in Orthodontics, 2018
- Efficacy of clear aligners in controlling orthodontic tooth movement: a systematic review, The Angle Orthodontist, 2015
- Braces, American Dental Association, MouthHealthy
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination, and results vary between patients.