Clear aligner treatment uses a series of custom-made, removable transparent trays to progressively straighten teeth over 12–24 months. Clinics work with a range of aligner systems — Invisalign, Angel Aligner, Spark, ClearCorrect and locally fabricated aligners — and which one is used varies by clinic, so ask which system your treatment plan is built on. For mild to moderate cases the alternatives to Invisalign deliver clinically equivalent results at a lower price point. All treatment plans are created and overseen by qualified orthodontists.
Your orthodontist carries out an oral health examination, takes digital impressions or a 3D intraoral scan, panoramic X-ray, and clinical photographs to assess your case.
A digital treatment simulation is created showing the planned sequence of tooth movements and predicted final result. You review and approve the plan before any aligners are manufactured.
Your full series of aligners is manufactured from medical-grade thermoplastic material based on the approved digital plan. Fabrication typically takes 2–4 weeks.
At the fitting appointment, small tooth-coloured composite attachments are bonded to specific teeth if required. Your first aligner sets are issued and the wear protocol is explained.
You wear each aligner tray for 20–22 hours per day, advancing to the next set every 1–2 weeks as directed. Progress is monitored via remote photo check-ins.
After completing the initial aligner series, final tooth positions are evaluated. Refinement trays may be prescribed to complete detailing. Custom retainers are then fabricated and fitted.
2
Visits
5
Days stay
12–24 months active treatment; retainer worn long-term after
Healing
Digital scan, treatment plan review and approval, attachment bonding (if needed), and collection of aligner tray series. Remaining trays available for home collection or shipping.
Change trays on schedule every 1–2 weeks. Submit progress photographs for remote review by your Dentour orthodontist at regular intervals.
Evaluation of final tooth positions, refinement tray scan if needed, and fitting of custom retainers to maintain the result.
Clear thermoplastic aligners are barely visible when worn, making them suitable for adults in professional or social environments.
Remove aligners to eat and drink without restriction. No food prohibitions — unlike fixed braces, hard and sticky foods are permitted as long as aligners are removed first.
Remove aligners to brush and floss normally. No navigating around brackets or wires, reducing the risk of decay and gum problems during treatment.
Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours per day. Insufficient wear prevents the planned tooth movements from completing on schedule and can extend treatment significantly.
Severe malocclusions, complex bite corrections, and cases requiring precise torque control may not be fully treatable with clear aligners alone. Your orthodontist will advise if fixed braces are more appropriate.
Minor refinement stages are common at the end of treatment. These add additional trays to refine final tooth positions and may extend total treatment time by 1–3 months.
Lost or broken aligners require replacement, causing a delay in treatment progression. Keeping the previous tray as a backup and storing current trays carefully reduces this risk.
Wear each tray for 20–22 hours per day. Remove only for eating, drinking (except plain water), and oral hygiene. Use the provided seating tool (chewies) to ensure full contact with teeth.
Clean aligners with a soft toothbrush and mild clear soap after removal. Rinse with cool water before reinserting. Never use toothpaste (it scratches the surface) or hot water (it warps the plastic).
Brush thoroughly and floss after every meal before reinserting aligners. Food and sugar trapped under trays dramatically increases decay risk.
Advance to the next tray as directed by your orthodontist — typically every 7–14 days. New trays will feel snug; this is the force needed for tooth movement. If a tray feels excessively loose, contact the clinic.
Store removed aligners in their protective case. Do not wrap in tissue paper or leave loose — aligners are frequently lost when stored carelessly and are easily confused with disposable items.
Wear custom retainers as instructed after completing treatment — typically full-time for 3–6 months, then nightly for the long term. Teeth will shift back without retainer use.
Clear aligner treatment is ideal for dental tourism because patients receive all their trays at the initial visit and complete most of treatment independently at home. Your first trip to Moldova (3–5 days) covers scanning, planning, and tray collection. A final visit for refinements and retainers (2–3 days) typically completes the course. Remote monitoring via photos keeps your Dentour orthodontist informed between visits.