Clear Aligners

Dr. McKay has completed a fellowship in clear aligner therapy, providing an advanced level of training and experience beyond standard orthodontic education. That additional expertise allows him to confidently plan and manage complex clear aligner cases that many providers may recommend for traditional braces.

Clear aligners correct tooth position through a series of custom-fitted trays, each designed to shift teeth slightly before progressing to the next set. The trays are worn over the teeth and swapped out on a schedule we set together, typically every one to two weeks, depending on the treatment plan.

Because the trays are removable, patients can take them out for meals, brushing, and flossing. This makes daily hygiene significantly easier than with fixed braces, where food and plaque tend to collect around brackets. The trays go back in immediately afterward, and consistent wear keeps treatment on schedule.

Attachments are often added to the teeth to help aligners grip and apply the right force for more complex movements. We explain upfront whether attachments are part of your plan and what that means for the appearance and feel of the trays.

Aligners work well for a broad range of alignment and bite issues, though they may not be the right solution for every case. We are straightforward about this at the consultation, so patients go into treatment with accurate expectations.

Common issues clear aligners address effectively include:

• Mild to moderate crowding
• Spacing and gaps between teeth
• Certain overbite, underbite, and crossbite corrections
• Relapse cases where teeth have shifted after previous treatment
• Many complex bite corrections that have traditionally been treated with braces

Dr. McKay takes a more comprehensive approach to clear aligner therapy because he has seen firsthand that modern aligners can successfully treat nearly every orthodontic issue, with only a few exceptions, such as impacted canines or other highly specialized cases. Rather than viewing aligners as a solution only for minor cosmetic corrections, he uses advanced treatment planning to address more complex tooth movement whenever appropriate.

The greatest factor influencing success is not the capability of the aligners themselves — it is patient compliance. When patients consistently wear their aligners as directed and follow their treatment plan, clear aligners can produce outstanding results across a wide range of orthodontic cases.

We offer Angel Aligners, a clear aligner system that pairs well with digital planning and produces accurately fitted trays based on precise scan data. The staging process aligns closely with how we map out treatment movement, which helps keep progress predictable and adjustments straightforward when they are needed.

Patients who choose Angel Aligners go through the same thorough evaluation process as any aligner candidate. We review the digital records, outline expected tooth movement at each stage, and walk through the full timeline before any trays are made. Thanks to Dr. McKay’s fellowship training in clear aligner therapy, treatment planning goes beyond simply generating a digital simulation. Every case is carefully reviewed and customized to maximize what clear aligners can accomplish while maintaining healthy, predictable tooth movement. If the simulation shows that certain movements would be better handled with a different appliance, we bring that up before treatment starts, not midway through.

Your first appointment includes a full exam, photographs, and a digital scan that gives us an accurate three-dimensional picture of your bite. From that scan, we build a treatment sequence and show you a simulation of the expected tooth movement so you can see where things are headed before committing.

Once you accept the plan, we deliver the first set of trays and go over wear instructions, cleaning habits, and what to do if a tray breaks or gets lost. From there, treatment follows a clear rhythm:

1. Wear each set of trays for the prescribed number of days
2. Complete regular check-in scans through DentalMonitoring®, our remote treatment monitoring platform, so Dr. McKay can review your progress between office visits
3. Attend periodic check-in visits so we can confirm movement is on track
4. Progress to the next trays as directed
5. Transition to retention once active alignment is complete

Remote monitoring allows us to evaluate your progress more frequently without requiring you to come into the office each time. In many cases, this means fewer in-person appointments while still allowing us to identify concerns early, answer questions, and keep treatment moving efficiently.

Check-in visits are typically shorter than a standard orthodontic appointment, and with remote monitoring, many patients can reduce the number of office visits needed throughout treatment. If something looks off, we address it promptly rather than waiting until the next scheduled check.

The most important factor in how well clear aligners work is wear time. Trays need to be in the mouth for roughly 20 to 22 hours per day to move the teeth as planned. Patients who frequently leave trays out for extended periods often find that treatment takes longer than estimated or that certain movements do not happen as expected.

While modern clear aligners can treat a wide range of orthodontic concerns, their success depends on patient commitment. Consistently wearing your aligners, completing remote monitoring scans, and following your prescribed schedule help keep treatment on track and achieve the best possible outcome.

We go over realistic wear expectations at the start of treatment because it matters. Aligners work when they are worn. Keeping a case nearby at all times makes it easier to put trays back in promptly after eating rather than leaving them out for extended periods.

Active aligner treatment is only part of the process. Once teeth are in their corrected positions, they need a retainer to stay there. We discuss retention at the end of treatment and fit each patient with the appropriate option based on their case and habits.

Skipping the retainer is the most common reason teeth shift after aligner treatment. We make sure patients leave with a clear understanding of how long and how often to wear it so that the results of treatment last over time.

If you have been considering aligners and want to know whether they are a realistic option for your case, a consultation is the right place to start. We review your bite, walk through the clear aligner process, and give you a straightforward answer about whether clear aligner treatment fits your goals and dental situation.

Call McKay Orthodontics to book your visit, or request an appointment through our website. Bring your questions about wear schedules, what the trays feel like, and how long treatment typically takes, and we will walk through everything before any decisions are made.