Clear aligners straighten teeth with a series of removable, custom-made plastic trays rather than brackets and wires. At Premiere Orthodontics, Dr. Jason Battle offers two aligner systems at our Winter Springs office, Invisalign® and 3M™ Clarity™ Aligners, and helps each patient choose between them based on the bite, the treatment goals and how the trays will fit into daily life. Dr. Battle is a board-certified orthodontist with over 20 years of experience, and he also smokes a mean brisket.
What Clear Aligners Are
An aligner is a thin, smooth-edged tray that snaps over your teeth. Because it is clear, most people will not notice you are wearing one. Because it is removable, you take it out for meals, brushing and flossing, so there is no list of forbidden foods and your hygiene routine stays the same. The trays are made for your mouth alone, starting from a digital scan of your teeth and bite. The edges are smooth and rounded, so they sit comfortably against the cheeks and gums instead of rubbing the way a bracket can.
Invisalign and Clarity Aligners Compared
Both systems are custom-designed and both move teeth in planned stages. The differences come down to material and how each fits into a broader plan:
- Invisalign® trays use SmartTrack® material, a BPA-free flexible plastic made only for Invisalign.
- 3M™ Clarity™ Aligners are made by 3M and are especially useful when aligners are combined with other appliances or with braces at certain stages of treatment.
Neither one is automatically the better choice. Dr. Battle recommends a system after reviewing your scan and x-rays, and some patients do best with a hybrid plan: aligners before or after a phase of braces such as ceramic braces. Because every option costs the same here, the recommendation is driven by your teeth, not by price. If braces turn out to suit your bite better, our braces options include metal and Clarity™ clear ceramic. A wider look at both brands is on the Invisalign and clear aligners page.
How Aligner Treatment Works, Step by Step
Records. Your first visit includes a TRIOS intraoral scan, which captures a 3D model of your teeth in a few minutes without putty, along with digital x-rays and photos. The scan can also produce a preview of your projected result.
Planning. Dr. Battle uses those records to map how each tooth should move and in what order, then the aligner sets are made from that plan.
Wearing the series. You wear an upper and a lower tray for at least 20 to 22 hours a day, switching to the next set on the schedule Dr. Battle gives you. Each new set picks up where the last one left off.
Monitoring. With DentalMonitoring, you send scans of your progress from your phone, and Dr. Battle decides when an in-person visit is needed. That keeps routine office trips to a minimum. The equipment behind each step is explained under ortho technology.
Retention. After the final set, a retainer holds the new alignment while the teeth settle. Instructions for wear and cleaning are covered under retainer care.
Problems Clear Aligners Can Treat
Aligners handle more than minor crowding. With the right plan they can correct crooked and crowded teeth, gaps, protruding teeth and bite problems such as overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite. They can also help when jaw popping, clicking or pain is tied to how the teeth meet. Some cases call for small attachments on the teeth or rubber bands to guide specific movements.
A Digital Office Close to Home
Our Winter Springs office is a fully digital practice at 5733 Canton Cv, off SR 417 by the Tuskawilla Rd and Red Bug Lake Rd intersection and down the road from Red Bug Elementary School. We treat aligner patients from Avery Park, Barrington Estates, Bear Creek Estates, Tuskawilla, Glen Eagle and Stable Gable, as well as students from Oviedo High School, Milwee Middle School, South Seminole Academy and UCF. We have been recognized as 2022 Top Orthodontist by Orlando Family Magazine and 2022 Orthodontist of the Year by Orlando Style Magazine. Hours, a map and the nearby areas we serve are listed with the office details.
Cost, Insurance and Lifetime Benefits
All treatment options carry the same price, with low or no down payment and zero-interest in-house financing. CareCredit and LendingPoint are available for longer plans, and we accept most insurance, including PPO, HMO and DeltaCare, plus a Medicaid discount. A full rundown of what affects your total is on the clear aligner cost page. Once treatment is complete, you can come back for free professional teeth whitening for life, and our Lifetime Guarantee protects against relapse if you finish full treatment and later stop wearing your retainer, with only a nominal monthly adjustment charge and the cost of a new retainer.
Clear Aligner FAQ
How is in-office aligner treatment different from at-home kits?
Mail-order aligners are sold without an orthodontist examining or monitoring your teeth, and they have been known to cause damage. Supervised care lets Dr. Battle adjust the plan as your teeth respond.
What happens if I lose or crack an aligner?
Call us at (407) 699-1200 as soon as you can. A lost or broken tray counts as an orthodontic issue we want to address quickly so your progress does not stall.
Can I switch between braces and aligners?
Yes, when it helps the result. Hybrid plans that use aligners before or after braces are common here, and the price stays the same.
The first step is a complimentary New Patient Exam with Dr. Battle, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.