You’ve had your consultation, seen what’s possible for your smile, and decided to take the next step. Exciting times.
For many people, the start appointment is when everything starts to feel real. You’ll get to see your personalised treatment plan in detail, receive your first aligners, and learn exactly how to wear and care for them.
If you’re wondering what happens during your clear aligner start appointment, who you’ll meet, and what you’ll take home with you, here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Clear Aligner Start Appointment?
Your start appointment is where your clear aligner treatment officially begins.
By this stage, your Specialist Orthodontist has carefully reviewed your records and designed a personalised treatment plan based on your smile goals, tooth movements, bite, and oral health.
During the appointment, our team will walk you through every step of your treatment so you feel confident and supported before leaving the studio.
Most start appointments take around 60 minutes.
Who Will You Meet?
At Urban Smile, your smile is designed and overseen by one of our Specialist Orthodontists.
During your start appointment, you’ll see one of our experienced Oral Health Therapists and Dental Assistants, who will guide you through your treatment plan, fit your aligners, and teach you everything you need to know about wearing them successfully.
Think of this appointment as your aligner onboarding session.
Our goal is to make sure you leave knowing exactly what to expect and feeling confident about starting treatment.
Step 1: Review Your Personalised Treatment Plan
One of the most exciting parts of the appointment is seeing your digital treatment plan.
We’ll walk you through:
- How your teeth are expected to move throughout treatment
- Your estimated treatment timeline
- Attachments that will be placed
- If your treatment plan involves any IPR (Interproximal reduction), elastics or bite ramps
- What results we’re aiming to achieve
- How Dental Monitoring fits into your treatment
This is your opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of how your smile journey has been planned.
Step 2: Attachments Are Bonded to Your Teeth
Many clear aligner patients require small tooth-coloured attachments.
These tiny shapes are bonded to selected teeth and act like handles, helping your aligners achieve more precise tooth movements.
If your treatment requires attachments, we’ll place them during your start appointment.
The process is straightforward, comfortable, and doesn’t require injections or drilling.
Once they’re in place, we’ll fit your first aligners and check that everything is sitting correctly.
Want to know why attachments are so important in your clear aligner treatment? Read our guide to what attachments are and how they help your aligners move your teeth.
Step 3: Learn How to Insert and Remove Your Aligners
If you’ve never worn aligners before, don’t worry.
Our team will show you exactly how to:
- Put your aligners in correctly
- Remove them safely
- Store them when eating and drinking
- Clean and care for them
Most patients are surprised by how quickly they get the hang of it.
You’ll have plenty of time to practise before leaving the studio.
Step 4: Set Up Dental Monitoring
One of the things that makes treatment at Urban Smile different is our use of Dental Monitoring.
Dental Monitoring allows your Specialist Orthodontist and clinical team to track your treatment remotely through weekly scans taken on your smartphone.
During your appointment, we’ll:
- Help you download the Dental Monitoring app
- Connect your account
- Show you how to take scans
- Explain when you’ll receive scan reminders
This means you’ll know exactly what to do when it’s time to submit scans from home.
Step 5: Receive Your Urban Smile Aligner Kit
Before you leave, we’ll make sure you’re fully equipped for treatment.
Depending on your treatment plan, you’ll typically head home with:
- Your first aligners
- Future aligner sets
- An aligner case
- Aligner removal tool
- Cleaning and care instructions
- Information about Dental Monitoring
Our team will also explain when to change aligners and what happens next.
What Happens After the Appointment?
Once you leave, your main focus is simple:
Wear your aligners as instructed and stay consistent with your Dental Monitoring scans.
Your Specialist Orthodontist and clinical team will review your progress throughout treatment and let you know when it’s time to move to the next aligner.
Because of Dental Monitoring, many patients can complete treatment with fewer in-studio visits than traditional orthodontic treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will getting attachments hurt?
Not usually. The attachment bonding process is comfortable and does not require injections or drilling. Your teeth may feel slightly different afterwards while you adjust to them.
How long does the appointment take?
Most start appointments take around one hour.
Will I wear my aligners home?
Yes. you’ll leave the studio wearing your first set of aligners.
What should I bring to my appointment?
If you’ve been given any specific instructions beforehand, follow those. Otherwise, simply arrive ready to begin your smile journey and make sure you bring your mobile phone along!
What if I forget how to remove my aligners?
Don’t worry. We’ll teach you during your appointment and provide guidance to help you feel comfortable. Most patients become confident within the first few days.
Can I ask questions during the appointment?
Absolutely. We encourage it. We want you to leave feeling informed, confident in your next steps, and excited about treatment.
Ready to Start Your Smile Journey?
Starting clear aligner treatment is a big milestone, but you won’t be doing it alone.
From your personalised treatment plan and Specialist Orthodontist oversight to weekly Dental Monitoring support, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
If you’ve already booked your start appointment, we can’t wait to welcome you to the Urban Smile family. And if you’re still considering treatment, book a free consultation at one of our Melbourne and Geelong clinics to find out whether clear aligners are right for you.
Consultation required to assess suitability. Our orthodontists will advise if this treatment is right for you.