Finishing clear aligner treatment is a big milestone, and for AFLW star Emily Bates, it’s one that’s left her feeling more confident, proud, and genuinely excited about her smile. After completing her clear aligner journey with Urban Smile, Emily reflects on the process, what surprised her most, and why she’d encourage anyone considering treatment to take the first step.
How do you feel about your smile now that you’ve finished treatment?
I’m so happy with my smile. It was actually a bit of a shock at the start to see my teeth without the attachments on and to feel how smooth they were. Looking in the mirror now, I just feel really happy and excited about how much more confident I’ll be smiling. The whole process was so easy, and I’m honestly just really glad I did it.
What’s one tip you have for making treatment easier?
Early on, it was pretty easy to take my aligners out and leave them around the house, almost losing them a few times! So I made a rule that whenever I took them out at home, I’d put them in the exact same spot near my coffee machine. It’s a small thing, but it worked really well for me.
What was your favourite part of the aligner journey?
My favourite part was getting to change to a new set of aligners each week. When you get the tick from the Dental Monitoring app that you’ve worn them correctly and you’re ready to move on, it’s so satisfying. Putting the next set in and feeling that tightness — knowing your teeth are moving — was definitely the part I enjoyed the most.
How does a straighter smile impact your life?
It’s made such a big difference to my confidence. I feel happier and more proud when I see photos of myself, and I’m not focused on my crooked teeth anymore. Instead, I just see a really straight smile. It’s made me much more confident to smile around friends and feel good about how I look.
Was there anything about treatment that surprised you?
The Dental Monitoring app definitely surprised me. It’s basically like a game where you scan your teeth and try to catch the dots as you move your phone around your mouth. Being quite competitive, I always tried to see how quickly I could do it each week! It made the process so easy and actually quite fun.
I was also surprised by how quickly you get used to wearing the aligners. At first, I thought I’d have a lisp and that everyone would notice, but honestly, after about a week, you just adapt — and no one notices at all.
What would you say to someone thinking about starting clear aligner treatment?
Just go for it. Book the consult, get the scans, and see what your smile could be. It’s so worth it, the process is really easy, and life’s too short not to invest in yourself. Being able to look at your smile and feel genuinely happy with it is such a great feeling.