A straighter smile, discreetly, with Invisalign clear aligners

Clear aligners are thin, transparent plastic orthodontic appliances custom-made to move the teeth gradually. A series of aligners is made from an impression taken by digital scanning; each aligner moves the teeth a little further than the previous position. Aligners are removable and are worn 20–22 hours a day, except while eating and brushing. Treatment is planned and monitored by an orthodontist.

Invisalign is the name of a system used in clear aligner treatment, while clear aligners is the general name of the method. Because Invisalign has been in use for a long time, people often use the name as a synonym for the method. At our clinic, clear aligner treatment is provided with the Invisalign system.

An Invisalign Provider is a clinic or dentist that is authorized to use the Invisalign system and has been trained in it. Treatment is planned and monitored by the treating orthodontist. Our clinic is an Invisalign Provider; for details, see our what are clear aligners page.

Yes. Clear aligners are a treatment method whose effectiveness has been shown in the orthodontic literature; they are widely used for mild to moderate crowding, gaps (diastema) and some bite problems. The result depends on the complexity of the case, the accuracy of the plan and wearing the aligners 20–22 hours a day. Which problems can be solved with aligners is determined during the exam.

Because clear aligners are thin and transparent, they are usually hard to notice at conversational distance. Attachments bonded to the teeth (small tooth-colored composite bumps) may be visible up close. If the aligners are not kept clean, they can turn cloudy and become more noticeable. Visibility depends on the aligner material, the number of attachments and cleaning habits.

For mild to moderate crowding, spacing and mild bite problems, clear aligners give results similar to braces when properly planned. For major rotations, vertical movements and complex skeletal cases, braces are considered more predictable. Which method suits your case is determined by an orthodontic exam and digital planning.

Both methods move teeth by applying gentle, continuous force. Braces are bonded to the teeth and adjusted by the orthodontist; clear aligners are removable, made from a digital plan and changed by the patient. Aligners have advantages in terms of appearance and hygiene, while braces may be preferred for some complex movements and for patients who have trouble with compliance. The decision is made at the exam.

ClinCheck is the digital treatment plan in Invisalign treatment that shows the planned movement of the teeth in 3D. The orthodontist reviews the plan, modifies it if needed and approves it; you can also see the steps of the movement. The plan may not match the actual result exactly; it can be updated at check-ups. For general information, see our Invisalign page.

iTero is a system in which the teeth are captured digitally with an intraoral scanner, and in most cases it removes the need for conventional impression material. The scan is used to prepare the ClinCheck plan. Most patients find it more comfortable than having impressions taken; even so, suitability is assessed based on the structure of the mouth.

The process starts with an orthodontic exam; the orthodontist examines the mouth and teeth and takes the necessary records and scan. A digital treatment plan is then prepared and approved, and the aligners are manufactured. For an overview of the process, see our clear aligner treatment page.

An orthodontic appliance is a removable or fixed device worn inside the mouth that helps the jaws and teeth develop correctly. It is most often used in growing children. An orthodontist decides which device is suitable after an examination.

A palatal expander is an orthodontic device used when the upper jaw is too narrow, to widen the palatal bone sideways. It is usually anchored to the upper molars and is opened as planned using the screw in its center. Which device is suitable is determined by an orthodontic exam. For details, see our article on palatal expanders.

In most cases, a palatal expander is used during childhood and early adolescence, while the palatal bone is still developing. During this period, the suture line in the middle of the palate is more flexible, so expansion is easier. The right timing is assessed at the orthodontic exam based on the child's bone development; our orthodontic appliances page provides general information.

In the first days of activation, a feeling of pressure at the bridge of the nose, the cheekbones and the teeth is common and usually eases within a few days. For most patients, a simple pain reliever recommended by the orthodontist is enough. Severe pain that lasts, swelling or a loose appliance are not considered normal; in that case, contact the clinic.

The screw is turned with the special key supplied with the appliance, in the direction shown by the orthodontist and at the prescribed frequency. Usually, the key is inserted into the hole at the front of the palate and pushed toward the back to make one turn. Doing the first turn together at the clinic makes it easier for parents to learn the correct direction and amount; the turning schedule varies from person to person.

Yes, a gap forming between the upper front teeth during expansion is usually expected. This gap shows that the palatal suture is opening, and it is usually closed in later stages of orthodontic treatment. The size of the gap and its follow-up are assessed at orthodontic check-ups.

After the active expansion period, when the screw is turned, the palatal expander stays in the mouth for a while longer so the widened bone can settle. The total time varies by person and treatment plan; rather than a fixed period, it is determined through orthodontic check-ups. Since most palatal expanders are fixed, the child cannot remove them.

Yes, a retention period is usually needed after expansion so the width gained can settle. During this period, the same appliance is left in the mouth passively for some time, and then the next stage of treatment begins according to the orthodontist's plan. Because the length of retention varies from person to person, it is determined at check-ups.

Because the palatal bone has matured in adults, conventional expansion appliances are often not enough; for this reason, options are assessed individually. For goals such as creating space in the dental arch, other orthodontic methods may be considered. The appropriate method can only be determined after an exam and imaging; you can also take a look at our Invisalign for adults page.

A functional appliance is a removable orthodontic device used to influence the position and growth direction of the lower jaw; the Twin Block is a common type. It consists of an upper and a lower part and guides the lower jaw into a more forward position when the child closes their mouth. Whether it is suitable depends on the stage of jaw development and the orthodontic assessment.

A face mask is an orthodontic device worn outside the mouth, used in growing children whose upper jaw is set back, to guide the upper jaw forward. It is usually used together with an appliance inside the mouth. Who it is suitable for is determined through an exam and X-ray assessment; our article on face masks has more details.

A space maintainer is a small type of appliance used when a baby tooth is lost early, to keep the neighboring teeth from drifting into the gap. It helps keep the space open until the permanent tooth comes in. Which type of space maintainer is needed depends on where the tooth was lost and on the child's development; see our article on space maintainers.

A habit-breaking appliance is a device worn inside the mouth to reduce the damage that habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting can do to tooth and jaw development. It can help a child stop the habit, but its effect also depends on the child's motivation and the family's support. The decision to use one is made after an orthodontic exam.

In most cases, removable appliances are worn for the time recommended by the orthodontist, usually most of the day and during sleep. The exact number of hours depends on the type of appliance and the goal of treatment, so it is important to follow the wear time set for you. Regular wear directly affects how treatment progresses.

In the first days, speech may sound a little different because the appliance feels like a foreign object in the mouth, and most people get used to it within a few days. For meals, removable appliances are usually taken out; with fixed appliances, it is recommended to avoid sticky and hard foods. Your orthodontist will give you personalized instructions for use.

The choice between an appliance and Invisalign First is made at the orthodontic exam based on the child's age, jaw structure and the problem to be corrected; one cannot be said to always be more suitable than the other. For some goals, such as guiding jaw development, appliances come to the fore, while Invisalign First may be considered for some tooth alignment cases. For details, see our Invisalign First page.

If your appliance is lost or broken, the right step is to call the clinic rather than trying to fix it yourself. The orthodontist will decide whether the device needs to be replaced or repaired. Going without the appliance for a long time can affect treatment progress and how well the device fits; you can reach us through our contact page.

Clear aligners are widely used for conditions such as mild to moderate crowding, gaps (diastema), mild deep bite or open bite, and relapse after braces. Patients with healthy gums, treated cavities and the ability to wear the aligners 20–22 hours a day are suitable candidates. The decision on suitability is made after an orthodontic exam and digital records.

In cases of severe skeletal jaw discrepancies, cases requiring extraction of impacted teeth, serious gum disease, and patients who cannot wear the aligners consistently, clear aligners alone may not be sufficient. Active cavities and untreated gum problems are addressed first. In these situations, braces or combined treatment may be recommended; the decision is made during the exam.

There is no strict minimum age for clear aligners; some systems offer children's series used during the mixed dentition stage (ages 6–12, when baby teeth and permanent teeth are present together). More commonly, treatment starts once most of the permanent teeth have come in, around age 12–13. Suitability is assessed during the exam based on dental development and the child's ability to wear the aligners consistently.

Yes. Adults make up a large share of clear aligner users. The most common reasons are crowding that was never treated in youth, relapse, lower front tooth crowding that increases with age and positioning teeth before prosthetic work. Gum health and existing fillings and prostheses are taken into account in planning; skeletal problems may require collaboration with a surgeon.

In severe crowding, aligners alone may not be enough; however, with space-creating methods (IPR, distalization and, if needed, extraction), many severe cases can also be planned with aligners. For difficult movements, short-term bracket support or combined treatment may be preferred. Which path is suitable is determined by digital planning and an exam.

Yes. When a retainer is not used after braces treatment, teeth can shift again (relapse); this is one of the most common cases treated with clear aligners. Because relapse is usually mild, treatment may be shorter. Wearing a retainer consistently after the new treatment is important.

Pregnancy is generally not an obstacle to using clear aligners; the aligners contain no medication or radiation. However, gum sensitivity may increase during pregnancy, nausea can make wearing aligners harder, and stages requiring X-rays may be postponed. Telling your doctor that you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy allows the timing of treatment to be adjusted accordingly.

In most cases, the teeth and gums are expected to be healthy before treatment begins. If there is tartar, tooth decay or gum disease, you may be asked to have these treated first. What preparation is needed is determined at the exam.

Clear aligners should be worn 20–22 hours a day. They are taken out only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing. When daily wear time drops, the teeth fall behind the plan, the aligners stop fitting properly and treatment takes longer. Paying particular attention to wear time on aligner change days helps the new aligner seat on the teeth.

No. Clear aligners are taken out when eating. Eating with aligners in can deform or crack them and trap food debris inside the aligner, increasing the risk of cavities. After eating, brush your teeth and put the aligners back in; if brushing is not possible, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. You do not need to take the aligners out to drink water.

Yes. Since clear aligners are a removable appliance, they can be taken out during wudu (ritual ablution) and put back in after rinsing the mouth. Taking the aligners out for a short time does not affect the daily wear time of 20–22 hours. For questions about religious rulings, it is appropriate to consult the relevant religious authority, and for questions about using the aligners, your doctor.

For the first few days, you may have a slight lisp or notice a change in 's' and 'sh' sounds; this usually goes away within a week as the tongue gets used to the aligner. Reading aloud speeds up the adjustment. If the speech problem persists, the edge of the aligner may be irritating the gums; in that case, the doctor can adjust the edge of the aligner.

Brush the aligners every morning and evening with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water, and a small amount of clear liquid soap if needed. Hot water is not used because it deforms the aligners. Colored or abrasive toothpastes can scratch the aligners. Aligner cleaning tablets can be used a few times a week. When the aligners are out, they should be kept in their case, not left in the open.

The change interval is set according to the doctor's treatment plan and is between 7 and 14 days in most treatments. The interval may change during treatment depending on the type of tooth movement and the progress seen at check-ups. Write the interval you are given in your calendar and stick to it unless your doctor instructs otherwise.

Yes, clear aligners should stay in while you sleep at night. Nighttime hours make up a large share of the daily wear time of 20–22 hours. In people who clench or grind their teeth during sleep, the aligners may wear down a little faster; this should be reported to the doctor. In the morning, take the aligners out and clean them, brush your teeth and put the aligners back in.

It is recommended to drink only water while wearing the aligners. Drinks such as tea, coffee, cola and fruit juice can stain the aligners, and sugary and acidic drinks can collect under the aligners and cause cavities and enamel damage. Hot drinks can deform the aligners. For these drinks, take the aligners out, then rinse your mouth and put the aligners back in.

Clear aligner treatment usually takes 6–24 months. Mild crowding or small gaps are corrected in a shorter time, while cases that require bite correction take longer. The duration is determined by the number of aligners, the aligner change interval, wearing the aligners 20–22 hours a day and the need for additional aligner sets. The estimated duration is given once the digital plan has been prepared.

When you switch to a new aligner, you may feel pressure and mild sensitivity in your teeth for the first few days; this is a sign that the teeth are moving and usually eases within a few days. Compared with braces, aligners are less likely to cause sores inside the mouth. Severe or persistent pain is not normal; in that case, you should see your doctor.

Check-ups are usually every 6–10 weeks; at each visit, how well the teeth are following the plan is assessed and the next set of aligners is handed over. Some clinics can extend the time between visits with remote monitoring apps. If an aligner doesn't fit, breaks or is lost, you should call the clinic without waiting for your scheduled check-up.

For most people, the first noticeable difference in the front teeth appears around months 2–4; gaps closing is noticed earlier than crowding being corrected. In the first weeks, the teeth move in steps too small to see in the mirror. Saving your starting photos and comparing them from time to time is the most objective way to see the change.

No. Attachments are bonded to the tooth surface with composite filling material; there is no drilling or cutting of the tooth, and no anesthesia is needed. During the procedure, you only feel the teeth being dried and the material being hardened with a light. In the first days, the attachments may feel strange to your tongue; this feeling goes away quickly.

The time from approval of the digital plan to the aligners arriving at the clinic varies by brand and place of manufacture. For systems produced in Türkiye, you can expect a few days to a week; for those produced abroad, two to four weeks. Your orthodontist will let you know the estimated delivery time for your plan.

If a retainer is not worn, the teeth tend to shift back toward their original positions; this is called relapse, and it is especially noticeable in cases of gaps (diastema) and rotated teeth. The retainer is worn all day for the first months, then at night, and used regularly over the long term. With regular retention, the result achieved is maintained.

The current orthodontic approach recognizes that teeth shift slightly throughout life and recommends long-term retention. This means wearing a removable retainer every night, or at least a few nights a week, for life, or keeping a fixed retainer in place. Full-time wear is needed only in the first months; after that, only during sleep.

For children, a first orthodontic exam is generally recommended at around age 7. By this time, the first permanent molars and incisors have come in, and possible problems in jaw and tooth development can be noticed. An exam does not always mean treatment; for most children, only monitoring is planned.

Early orthodontic treatment is considered when growth-related problems such as a narrow jaw, crossbite or a mismatch between the jaws are identified. Not all crowding requires early treatment; in some children, it is better to wait for the permanent teeth to come in. The orthodontist decides whether it is needed through an exam and X-ray assessment.

Invisalign First is a clear aligner system that may be considered for misaligned teeth and some jaw development problems in children in the mixed dentition stage. It may not be suitable for every child; suitability is determined at the exam based on the stage of development in the mouth. For general information, see our Invisalign First for children page.

For teens, consistency comes from wearing the aligners for the recommended time and attending check-ups regularly. Because the aligners include indicators that track how long they have been worn, the orthodontist can monitor compliance. Reminders from the family and keeping the aligners in their carrying case reduce losses; there is more information on our Invisalign for teens page.

If a baby tooth is lost early, the neighboring teeth may drift into the gap, and there may not be enough room for the permanent teeth. This can lead to crowding later on. Whether a space maintainer is needed is determined by an orthodontic exam.

Yes, in suitable cases. Aligner series designed for the mixed dentition stage aim to guide jaw development and address space problems early. During this stage, the aligners are planned to accommodate the loss of baby teeth and the eruption of permanent teeth. With family support, the child can wear the aligners 20–22 hours a day; the decision is made during the exam.

The cost of clear aligners is determined by the complexity of the case, the planned number of aligners and treatment duration, the chosen aligner system, the need for attachments and IPR, the need for additional aligner sets, and retainers. The doctor's expertise and the clinic's digital infrastructure are also reflected in the fee. The fee is provided in writing once the exam and digital planning are complete.

The treatment fee usually includes the exam, digital scan, digital plan, the full aligner series, attachment placement, IPR, check-ups and removal of the attachments. Additional aligner sets, retainers and replacement of lost aligners may be included or charged separately depending on the clinic. It is recommended to ask in writing at the plan consultation what these items cover.

In Ankara, clear aligner treatment is provided at clinics with an orthodontist. Funda Sarıkaya Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic, which publishes this website, is located in Park Oran Ofis in Oran, Çankaya, next to Panora Mall. At the clinic, clear aligner treatment is provided with the Invisalign system; treatment is carried out by Funda Pekyılmaz Sarıkaya, specialist orthodontist (Uzm. Dt.).

Our clinic is located in Çankaya, in the Oran neighborhood, at Park Oran Ofis No:70, Kudüs Caddesi. It is next to Panora Mall and across from One Tower Mall. You can call 0312 911 60 36 to make an appointment; there is also information on our clear aligners in Ankara page.

Yes, Funda Pekyılmaz Sarıkaya, specialist orthodontist (Uzm. Dt.), sees patients at Park Oran Ofis, No:70, next to Panora Mall. Orthodontic exams are available for both children and adults. You can call 0312 911 60 36 to make an appointment.

The clinic is in Park Oran Ofis, next to Panora Mall. From Kızılay and Çankaya, you can take a municipal bus that runs along Turan Güneş Bulvarı, get off at the Panora Mall stop and walk a few minutes. Those coming by car can use the Park Oran and Panora parking garages. We recommend checking the EGO app (Ankara's public transportation app) for current route information.

To book an appointment, you can call 0312 911 60 36 or send a WhatsApp message to the same number. The clinic is open Monday–Saturday, 09:00–19:30. The first appointment is an orthodontic exam; if you are a candidate, the iTero digital scan can be done the same day. The fee is provided in writing once digital planning is complete.

Yes, our clinic is open Monday–Saturday from 09:00–19:30, so evening appointments are available. Since availability can change during the day, please confirm by phone. You can call 0312 911 60 36 to make an appointment.

At the first examination, the orthodontist evaluates your teeth, gums, bite and jaw movements. If needed, panoramic and cephalometric X-rays are requested and a digital intraoral scan is taken. At the end, the nature of the problem, the methods that can be used and the steps of the process are explained to you.