Clear Aligner Answers (aka FAQs)

Your smile will only ever be designed by one of our Melbourne Specialist Orthodontists – either Dr Igor Lavrin or Dr Sarah Lawrence.

It’s so important to trust a specialist. Did you know Orthodontists train for 5 years to become a dentist, followed by another 3 years of specialist training in orthodontics? The difference is that our Specialist Orthodontists design your smile remotely. This allows you to have accessible and more affordable orthodontic care with clear aligners.

Clear aligners are orthodontic devices used to straighten teeth and correct misalignments. They are a popular alternative to traditional metal braces due to their discreet appearance and convenience. They are clear plastic trays that are made especially for your teeth.

Clear aligners are custom-made for you based on a 3D digital scan of your teeth.

You will wear a series of aligner trays, each designed to move teeth incrementally. Each set is worn for about one to two weeks before moving to the next set.

The aligners apply gentle, controlled forces to the teeth, gradually shifting them into the desired position.

Clear aligner treatment works by moving the teeth gradually and incrementally. For this reason, there is generally very little or no pain during your treatment. Sometimes, at the beginning of your treatment there may be a small amount of discomfort as your teeth and mouth adjust to the aligners.

Clear aligner attachments are small, tooth-colored shapes made of dental bonding material. They are placed on the teeth to help the aligners grip and move the teeth more effectively.

Some brands or clear aligner providers may skip tooth aligner attachments, which can lead to limited results.

Our advanced attachments allow aligners to grip your teeth for precise movement. They’re discreet, enamel-safe, and removed at the end of your treatment. Plus, we use precise 3D scanning technology instead of impression kits for top-quality care and accuracy for your smile.

Urban Smile clear aligners are a series of virtually invisible, removable, plastic aligners that gently move your teeth each week. Our experienced Specialist Orthodontists use advanced technology to customise the aligners for you and apply discrete attachments to your teeth that allow the aligners to grip your teeth for accurate tooth movement.

The clear aligners we use are made with Xendura FLX and are approved by the Australian TGA. They are virtually invisible, comfortable, crack resistant, snug-fitting and stain resistant.

Overbite, underbite, crossbite, spacing, open bite, crowding, snaggle teeth –are all issues that clear aligners may be able to treat. Our experienced clinical team can chat through your smile goals and create a personalised treatment plan in your free consultation.

Book now at one of our Melbourne Studios https://urbansmile.com.au/locations/

Yes, Urban Smile clear aligners are approved by the Australian TGA.

Invisalign is a well-known brand of clear aligners, but it is just one of many tools available. Orthodontists can also use brands like Spark and others.

Clear aligners are simply a tool to straighten your teeth, just like a vacuum cleaner has different brands (Dyson, Miele, Hoover and so on), so do aligners.

What really matters is who is designing your smile. We recommend prioritising the experience and expertise of a Specialist Orthodontist, not the brand name.

Great question! Braces and clear aligners are both tools used to straighten teeth.

Your Specialist Orthodontist will recommend what’s best based on your individual smile and goals. Sometimes it’s personal preference, and sometimes it’s clinical.

At Urban Smile, we only offer clear aligners- it’s our specialty! If you’re interested in braces, we recommend our parent company, L&L Orthodontics.

They sure can!

Clear aligners can also help with spacing, overbites, underbites, and more. Your smile is unique, so a consultation is always needed to determine which treatment is right for you. It is also our Specialist Orthodontist who will recommend the right treatment plan for you.

Book your free clear aligner consultation here.

They sure do. Invisalign and other clear aligner brands have successfully transformed millions of smiles around the world.

At Urban Smile, our Specialist Orthodontists use aligners as a tool, combining them with their specialist knowledge to get amazing results. We use Urban Smile clear aligners; what matters most is the expertise behind the treatment.

This can vary and depends on your unique smile and what needs to be corrected.

In general, we say our Lite treatment plan is up to 6 months, Moderate is 12 months, and Advanced is 18 months. We find that patients see results from as little as 12 weeks.

At your Free Consultation, we will assess your teeth and provide a timeline for your treatment.

In Melbourne, clear aligner treatment can cost anywhere from $4500 to around $12,000. Clear aligners can vary in costs depending on the complexity of treatment needed. Once your orthodontic complexity is confirmed we can assist you with choosing which payment option is best for you. At Urban Smile, we have 3 tiered pricing for Lite, Moderate and Advanced treatment. Our Advanced treatment is $6,890 before any possible health insurance rebates. All treatments are planned by our Specialist Orthodontist. We can charge these prices as our Specialist Orthodontists design your smile remotely.

We recognize that a Dream Smile is an investment. We accept cash and all major credits cards  – Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

We also accept Buy Now Pay Later providers Humm, Afterpay and Zip Money and a more traditional finance option called TLC.

Everyone has different levels of cover and benefits on their health insurance

We recommend checking your health insurance details before your consultation to see what Orthodontic cover you may have. For clear aligner treatment, quote item number 825 per arch. For removable replacement retainers, quote item 811 per arch.

Typically, entitlements renew annually with a lifetime maximum claimable amount.

Yes, you can!

We have HICAPS machines in all our studios, so we can process claims on the spot. Check with your provider to see your orthodontic limits. Sometimes these reset annually.

Orthodontic Codes which will be helpful:

• 825 per arch for clear aligners
• Retainers 811 per arch

Teeth whitening is generally excluded from health insurance.

You can also claim on our express cleans under general dental.

Please note we are not a general dentist, we do cleans, but this does not replace your recommended 6-month check-up with your dentist.

Clear aligners are much less invasive and can effectively straighten teeth without the inconveniences and appearance of braces.

Clear aligner treatment tends to be more comfortable than traditional braces with more gradual tooth movement as you progress through different aligners to achieve your Dream Smile.

There are no painful, poking wires and problems with breakages when you choose clear aligner treatment. Clear aligners also make maintaining your oral hygiene easier, as you can simply remove the aligners to brush and floss without the hassle of weaving around metal braces and wires.  We encourage you to book a Free Consultation so we can assess what works best for your smile.

Free Consultation: You have nothing to lose! In your one-hour comprehensive consultation our team will take great care to understand your smile goals along with taking dental photographs, 3D scans and x-rays and a thorough orthodontic assessment.

Ultimate Convenience: Our beautiful studios in Melbourne, Victoria are fun and welcoming. Find us in Brunswick, Hawthorn and Waurn Ponds – you’ll be smiling as soon as you walk through the door!

Our service is a blend of in-studio and Home Monitoring via an app (treatment while holidaying in Bali? That’s a yes!).

Over 5,000 smiles transformed: We truly believe our impressive results come from the expertise of our Specialist Orthodontists. Dr Igor Lavrin and Dr Sarah Lawrence have personally treated over 5,000 patients with clear aligners!

No hidden fees: We keep it simple. Our treatment cost include an after-care removable retainer and teeth whitening (18+). We also offer flexible payment plans with Humm, Afterpay, Zip Money and TLC – plus don’t forget any health insurance rebates!

Use codes 825 x 2 to check if you have this on your health insurance cover

Invisalign is brand of clear aligners. We use plastic clear aligner trays which is the same method as Invisalign. We find the most important aspect is the experience of the Specialist Orthodontist who is designing your smile.

Yes, clear aligners can be an excellent option for patients who have had braces before and need adjustments or corrections. We sometimes call this a smile ‘touch up’!

You can book online 24/7 here or call your nearest studio here.

If available, walk-ins are always welcome, but we recommend you book to avoid disappointment.

No! Please come in and see us.

No, we are a Specialist Orthodontist.

If you need a general check-up or need dental work, please visit your general dentist.

We can help you with straightening your teeth and bite correction. At Urban Smile, we also offer teeth whitening, teeth cleans and Swarovski tooth gems which you can book here.

At your first appointment, you will meet with our Studio Manager and Oral Health Therapist.

At the end of your treatment, we will provide you with an after-care retainer and teeth whitening (18+). We also do replacement retainers!

Each treatment is individually tailored to each patient based on your orthodontic complexity and smile goals. Some treatments may be 18-24 months, whilst others could be as little as 6 months.

It’s our priority is to help you achieve your Dream Smile the right way, so we don’t take any shortcuts.

However, you’ll likely start seeing changes to your smile in as little at 6 months! Book a free consultation to find out more https://urbansmile.com.au/locations/.

To achieve your Dream Smile we recommend wearing your clear aligners 20-22 hours per day.

Not wearing your aligners as prescribed can prolong your treatment time and affect your final results.

Depending on the movement your teeth require, treatment can take anywhere from 6-24 months.

Oops! We get it, accidents happen! Contact us via the Dental Monitoring app and we will advise next steps. Remember to always keep your aligners in their case and away from pets who may like to chew them!

Clear aligners should be removed before eating. Eating with your clear aligners could cause decay, erosion of the teeth and can damage the clear aligners. The clear aligners can be simply removed before eating and then replaced.

This is great as it means there are no food limitations like traditional braces!

It is recommended to remove your aligners when drinking anything other than water to avoid damage to your teeth and staining of the aligners.

You might experience a slight lisp when you first start wearing clear aligners, but this usually resolves after a couple of days as you get used to them.

Regular checkups and cleans with your general dentist are essential throughout your clear aligner treatment to ensure general dental health.

Not as often as you think!

We track your tooth movement and monitor your process using our advanced at Home Monitoring App which means less studio visits.

Each week you will scan your teeth via the app and communicate with our studio team who will advise you when you are ready to move to your next aligner. This means your studio visits are booked when you need them most, rather than coming in for monthly scheduled visits, like you would at a traditional Orthodontist. Our at Home Monitoring App means that your treatment is closely monitored every week from the comfort of your own home.

No, we don’t offer mail-order kits.

We believe in safe, specialist-led care – that’s why we offer in-person consultations at our studios Melbourne Studios (Brunswick, Hawthorn, and Waurn Ponds).

Mail-order kits often rely on impressions taken by yourself, often with no medical oversight. If done incorrectly, these can lead to issues later.

At Urban Smile, your free consultation includes a full set of X-rays, clinical photos, and a 3D scan – nothing is left to chance.

We would love to. It would be best to chat with our studio team so we fully understand your situation. Find your nearest studio here.

Yes, we may be able to help depending on your case.

Give us a call or email your nearest studio so our team can chat with you about your treatment so far and what support you need.

Or, you can complete our enquiry form here and we will get back to during business hours.

Yes, we can help! We fix bonded retainers.

We understand it can be tricky to find availability with a traditional orthodontist – just reach out to your nearest Urban Smile studio, and we’ll provide a quote and appointment options. Prices are $500 per arch.

Of course! Please complete our enquiry form here and we will get back to you within working hours