05 — Aligners

Clear
aligners.

Tooth movement, planned to the millimeter. Without metal, without compromise.

Performed by Dr. Nishant Chovatiya, DMD Trained at Pittsburgh · UCLA · Gujarat At West Market Family Dental Care, Pottsville, PA
Dr. Nishant Chovatiya, DMD — clear aligner orthodontics in Pottsville, PA
01

A clear aligner moves a tooth a third of a millimeter at a time. The plan is everything.

Clear aligners are sequential, BPA-free thermoplastic trays — each worn 1–2 weeks, each moving the teeth one step closer to a planned final position. They correct crowding, spacing, mild bite issues, and pre-veneer alignment without metal brackets.

Dr. Chovatiya plans every aligner case with intraoral 3D scans and ClinCheck-style staging. Tooth-colored attachments are bonded only where needed for force vectors. Most adult cases finish in 6–14 months. Final retainers are non-negotiable — teeth want to drift back without them.

02

Protocol — step by step.

  1. 01

    Digital scan + plan

    iTero scan replaces impressions. The treatment plan is staged in 3D and shown to you before starting.

  2. 02

    Attachments where needed

    Tooth-colored composite buttons bonded only on teeth that need rotational or extrusion force. Removed at the end.

  3. 03

    22 hours per day

    Trays out only for eating and brushing. Compliance is the biggest variable in clear-aligner outcomes.

  4. 04

    Refinement + retention

    Most cases need a small refinement scan halfway through. Permanent retention follows finish — fixed wire or nightly tray.

Common questions.

Am I a candidate?

Most adults with mild-to-moderate crowding, spacing, or pre-restorative alignment are. Severe bite problems or skeletal issues sometimes require traditional braces or surgery.

How long does treatment take?

Typical adult case: 6–14 months. Very mild cases as little as 3 months.

Are aligners painful?

Mild pressure for the first 1–2 days of each new tray. After that, no sensation.

Can I eat with them in?

No — remove for meals and drinks (other than water). Replace immediately after brushing.

Will I need retainers forever?

Yes — every orthodontic patient needs lifetime retention. Without it, teeth drift back. Nightly retainer or a thin fixed wire on the inside surfaces.

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