Often considered for
Selected tooth movement
- Mild to moderate crowding or spacing
- Relapse after previous orthodontic treatment
- Selected bite concerns and rotations after full assessment
Clear aligners
Straightening that starts with suitability.
Clear aligners can be a discreet, removable way to move teeth, but they are not invisible and they are not right for every bite. The first step is records, assessment, and an honest comparison with fixed braces or other paths.
Treatment simulations show the planned direction of movement, not a guaranteed result. Wear time, biology, complexity, and refinements can change the outcome and timeline.
From $6,5003D digital recordsRetainers included
Case selection
A clear tray is only part of the treatment.
Aligners often suit selected crowding, spacing, relapse, and bite concerns where the required movements can be controlled with removable trays.
Healthy teeth and gums, realistic movement goals, and consistent daily wear are essential. Complex cases may be safer or more predictable with specialist orthodontic care or fixed braces.
Needs discussion
Complexity and restorations
- Severe rotations, vertical movement, or anchorage needs
- Crowns, bridges, implants, missing teeth, or reduced enamel
- Jaw discrepancies or bite concerns that may need specialist input
Not ready yet
Health or wear barriers
- Active decay or uncontrolled gum disease
- Inability to maintain oral hygiene and reviews
- A routine that cannot support 20 to 22 hours of wear each day
Compare the mechanics
Aligners and fixed braces solve different problems.
| Compare | Clear aligners | Fixed braces |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Clear trays can be less noticeable, but trays and attachments may still show | Brackets and wires are visible |
| Daily responsibility | Remove for meals and wear for 20 to 22 hours each day | Fixed in place, with careful cleaning and food precautions |
| Case range | Useful for many selected cases, but not every complex movement or bite | Can manage a broad range of movements and complex cases |
| Planning changes | Tracking may vary and refinement trays are common | Wire and bracket adjustments are made during reviews |
| At Ivy Dental | From $6,500 after assessment and records | Not provided at Ivy; referral can be arranged when appropriate |
The treatment sequence
Records, movement, refinement, retention.
Every stage depends on the one before it. The simulation helps communicate the proposed plan, while in-person reviews show how your teeth are responding.
- 01
Assess
Examine oral health, bite, jaw relationship, existing dental work, goals, and whether an orthodontic referral is indicated.
- 02
Record
Take a 3D scan and other records needed to plan the proposed movements and attachments.
- 03
Review the plan
Discuss the simulation, estimated timing, limitations, alternatives, costs, and the role of your daily wear.
- 04
Move and monitor
Wear each set as directed and attend reviews so tracking, hygiene, attachments, and bite can be checked.
- 05
Refine and retain
Use refinement trays if indicated, then wear retainers as directed to reduce unwanted tooth movement.
Transparent cost factors
Treatment starts from $6,500.
The exact quote follows assessment and records. It reflects movement complexity, the number of stages, attachments, whether interproximal reduction is planned, expected refinements, active treatment time, and retention.
Planned refinement aligner sets and retainers are included in the Ivy quote. Payment plans may be available to approved applicants, and health fund benefits depend on your policy.
Included in planning
Digital records
Records are used to assess suitability, stage tooth movement, and explain the proposed treatment direction.
Included when planned
Refinements
Additional sets may be needed when tooth movement needs fine-tuning. They are common and do not mean the result was guaranteed.
Included at completion
Retainers
Retention is part of treatment, not an optional extra. Retainers require long-term wear and eventual review or replacement.
Your part of the plan
Removable means responsibility.
Aligners only apply the planned force while they are being worn. Daily habits affect tracking, oral health, treatment time, and the final result.
Wear
Aim for 20 to 22 hours each day as directed. Change trays on the planned schedule unless the clinic advises otherwise.
Eat and drink
Remove trays for food and drinks other than water. Do not expose trays to heat that could distort them.
Clean
Brush and floss before replacing trays. Clean aligners as directed and keep them in their case when removed.
Attend
Keep review appointments and contact the clinic if a tray no longer seats, an attachment comes off, or symptoms concern you.
Limits and risks
Clear does not mean simple.
Orthodontic tooth movement is a clinical process. Comfort, timing, tracking, and results vary, and changes to the plan may be needed.
During treatment
- Pressure, tightness, and temporary tenderness can occur.
- Attachments may be visible at close range and can affect how trays look.
- Speech and saliva can change temporarily while you adapt.
Planned procedures
- Interproximal reduction may remove a small amount of enamel to create space and is irreversible.
- Attachments may be bonded to selected teeth and removed later.
- Teeth may not track as simulated, so refinements or a changed plan may be needed.
Long term
- Oral hygiene matters because plaque can collect under and around trays.
- Not every bite or jaw concern is suitable for aligner treatment.
- Teeth can shift after treatment, so retainers need ongoing wear.
When aligners are not the answer
Referral is part of good planning.
Fixed braces and specialist care
Ivy Dental does not provide fixed metal or ceramic braces. If your bite, jaw relationship, age, movement complexity, or likely compliance makes aligners unsuitable, we can discuss referral to an orthodontist.
A cosmetic option such as veneers can change visible shape in selected cases, but it does not move teeth or correct the underlying bite.
Clinical team
Clinicians involved in aligner assessment.
Treatment planning starts with assessment. The profiles below are a starting point if you would like to read more about clinicians involved in this area of care. The right appointment depends on location, timing, and clinical need.
Continue comparing
Read before you choose.
Available now
Choose the clinic that suits you.
Common questions
Practical answers about aligners.
How long does clear aligner treatment take?
Many cases at Ivy Dental are planned over about 6 to 18 months, but the timing varies with complexity, tooth response, wear time, and whether refinements are needed. Selected mild cases can be shorter. Your consultation and records provide a more useful estimate.
Are clear aligners invisible?
No. Clear trays are often less noticeable than fixed metal braces, but they are still visible at close range. Tooth-coloured attachments may also be needed and can be seen. We can show you an aligner before you decide whether it suits your day-to-day life.
Can I eat and drink normally with aligners?
Aligners are removed for meals and for drinks other than water. You will need to clean your teeth before putting them back in and wear them for 20 to 22 hours per day as directed.
Do clear aligners hurt?
Pressure or tightness is common when starting a new set. It often settles over the next day or two, but experiences vary. Contact the clinic if discomfort is severe, persistent, or associated with a damaged tray.
How much do clear aligners cost in Brisbane?
Clear aligners at Ivy Dental start from $6,500. Complexity, treatment duration, attachments, interproximal reduction, and refinement needs affect the final plan and quote. Payment plans may be available to approved applicants.
Do health funds cover clear aligners?
Some extras policies contribute towards orthodontic treatment. Coverage, waiting periods, limits, and eligibility depend on your fund and policy. Ivy Dental can process eligible claims through HICAPS, but your fund confirms the benefit.
What if my teeth move after treatment?
Teeth can shift after any orthodontic treatment. Retainers are essential and need to be worn as directed over the long term. Retainers are included in the Ivy treatment plan, and they will eventually need review or replacement.
What are the alternatives to clear aligners?
Fixed braces may be more predictable for severe bite concerns, jaw discrepancies, or complex movements. Ivy Dental does not provide fixed braces, but can refer you to an orthodontist when appropriate. Veneers or bonding can alter appearance in selected cases, but they do not move teeth or correct a bite.
Can I get aligners if I have crowns or bridges?
Existing restorations affect planning. Some crowned teeth can be moved, while a bridge joins teeth together and can limit movement. Attachments may also bond differently to restorative materials. An examination and records are required.
What if I cannot wear aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day?
Consistent wear is central to treatment. If the required wear time is unlikely to fit your routine, we should discuss that before treatment starts. Fixed braces or another approach may be more suitable.
What does the 3D simulation show?
It is a treatment-planning simulation of proposed tooth movement. It helps explain the plan, sequence, and intended direction, but it cannot guarantee an identical biological response or final result.
Why choose Ivy Dental for aligners?
Ivy Dental uses digital scanning and staged treatment planning. Planned refinement aligner sets and retainers are included in the treatment quote. Everton Park and Nundah are open 7 days. If the case is better managed with fixed braces or specialist orthodontic care, the team can discuss referral instead.
A considered first step
Find out whether aligners fit your case and your routine.
Your first visit can clarify suitability, likely complexity, alternatives, responsibilities, and cost before you decide whether to proceed.