Clear aligners allow you to straighten your teeth without the hassle of wearing braces.

Clear Aligners

Are you living with crooked teeth that keep you from smiling your best smile? Maybe you had orthodontic treatment during adolescence, and you forgot to wear your retainers. Or perhaps it’s your first time around with orthodontic treatment as an adult.

Whatever the case may be for you, clear aligners might be a great way to straighten your teeth without the hassle of traditional braces. We offer both Invisalign® and 3M™ Clarity™ clear aligners at our McLean dental office.

Clear Aligners at McLean Dental Loft

If you’re interested in getting started with clear aligners, here’s how the process works:

The Initial Evaluation — Our dentists use x-rays, a thorough exam, photos, and 3-D imaging to gather information about your teeth and bite. During your evaluation, they’ll determine if clear aligners are right for your needs.
Getting Your Aligners — Your custom clear aligners are created based on your dentist’s treatment plan. Wear them 20 hours per day and change them every few weeks.
Visit Our Dentists — Every few weeks, our dentists will check in with you during a brief appointment to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
Retention After Treatment — When your treatment with clear aligners is completed, you’ll wear retainers at night, while you sleep, to maintain proper tooth alignment.

What Are the Benefits of Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners offer several advantages over traditional brackets and wires that our patients really appreciate. Here are some of the key benefits.

Comfort

Clear aligners are smooth and comfortable to wear, while brackets and wires can poke and tear delicate cheek and gum tissues.

Freedom

Clear aligners are removable, giving you the freedom to enjoy all the foods you love during treatment with no restrictions.

Discretion

Since your aligners are clear and fit snugly, they’re essentially invisible, so no one will notice that you’re straightening your teeth.

Convenience

Brushing and flossing are simple when you can remove your clear aligners, rather than navigating around brackets and wires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to wear retainers after clear aligners?

Yes. Wearing retainers after completing your clear aligner treatment is essential for maintaining your new smile. Once your teeth have been guided into their final positions, retainers help keep them there and prevent them from gradually shifting back over time, a natural process known as relapse.

Immediately after finishing your aligner treatment, we will provide you with retainers custom-made to fit your newly aligned smile. You'll wear them at night while you sleep to keep your teeth in proper alignment.

Tips for Successful Retainer Wear

Here are a few things to keep in mind about your retainers:

Consistency is key. The most common reason teeth shift after orthodontic treatment is irregular retainer wear. The more diligently you wear them, the longer your results will last.
They require regular care. Clean your retainers daily with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, or with a retainer-cleaning solution. Avoid hot water, which can warp the material.
They may need to be replaced over time. Retainers can wear down or become damaged with regular use. We recommend having them checked at your routine dental visits so we can ensure they still fit properly.
Long-term wear is normal. For most patients, some level of retainer use is recommended indefinitely, particularly at night to preserve the investment you've made in your smile.

At McLean Dental Loft, we'll guide you through every stage of your retention plan and answer any questions along the way. A beautiful, lasting smile is a team effort, and we're with you for the long haul.

Which Problems Do Clear Aligners Fix?

Clear aligners work well for most orthodontic concerns, except complex bite issues. Some of the smile concerns clear aligners can address are:

Teeth that overlap
Gaps between teeth
Crooked teeth
Crossbites
Over bites
Under bites

If clear aligners don’t suit your treatment needs, our dentists will discuss alternative options, such as dental veneers or crowns, to help you achieve your smile goals.

Start Your Journey Towards Straighter Teeth

At McLean Dental Loft, our dentists offer clear aligners with Invisalign® or 3M™ Clarity™. If you’re ready to determine whether clear aligners might be right for your needs, the next step is to book an evaluation with our dentists.

You can request a visit online or contact our team at (703) 775-4949 to schedule your appointment.

Our Team

Meet More of Our Team

Dr. Ardalan Sanati and Dr. Shohreh Shahram

Dr. Ardalan Sanati and Dr. Shohreh Shahram are the husband-and-wife owner-dentists behind McLean Dental Loft, bringing a shared passion for exceptional, detail-oriented dental care to every patient they serve.

Both doctors completed their undergraduate education at Semmelweis University in Budapest in 2003 and subsequently earned their Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degrees from the New York University College of Dentistry in 2008.

They were both drawn to dentistry by the same core belief—that small details can make a big difference in someone's daily life. At McLean Dental Loft, their greatest reward comes ...

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Clear Aligners Technology

Digital Impressions

Our dentists have replaced the discomfort of traditional putty impressions with leading-edge digital impression technology. Using a small, handheld scanner, we capture precise, three-dimensional models of your teeth and gums in just minutes with no messy molds, no gagging, no waiting.

The highly accurate digital scans are transmitted instantly, enabling faster turnaround times for crowns, aligners, and other restorations. It's a quicker, more comfortable experience that delivers superior results, because modern dentistry should work better for you.

SEE OUR TECHNOLOGY