How long does clear aligner treatment take?

Treatment length depends on the complexity of the case. Mild corrections may take around 6 months, while many moderate cases take 12 to 18 months. Wearing the trays for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day helps treatment stay on schedule.

Do clear aligners hurt?

Most patients describe clear aligners as pressure rather than pain. The pressure is usually most noticeable for the first couple of days after switching to a new tray and often fades within 48 hours.

Can I eat and drink with my aligners in?

Aligners should be removed before eating and before drinking anything other than plain water. After eating, patients should brush before putting the trays back in.

Are clear aligners covered by dental insurance?

Many plans with orthodontic coverage apply that benefit to clear aligner therapy, but coverage varies by plan. Markham Family Dental can verify benefits before treatment so patients understand their out-of-pocket cost.

What is the difference between clear aligners and Invisalign?

Invisalign is a brand name, while clear aligners are the treatment category. Several clear aligner systems work by gradually moving teeth with a series of custom trays.

Can clear aligners correct my bite, or only the appearance of my teeth?

Clear aligners can address both tooth appearance and certain bite concerns. Mild to moderate overbites, underbites, and crossbites may respond well, while more complex skeletal bite issues may require specialist care.

What happens if I stop wearing my retainer after treatment?

Teeth can shift back toward their original position without a retainer. Retainers help hold teeth in their corrected position after clear aligner treatment is complete.

Clear Aligners in Harlan, Iowa

Straight teeth do not require metal brackets or wires. Clear aligner therapy is a comfortable, nearly invisible way to correct crowding, spacing, and bite issues at any age. Our team handles the full process here in Harlan.

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(712) 755-5342

Clear Aligner Therapy at Markham Family Dental Associates

Most people who want straighter teeth have been putting it off for one reason: they do not want to spend a year or two in metal braces. Clear aligner therapy removes that barrier. The trays are nearly invisible, come out for eating and brushing, and fit into the life of a working adult or a teenager without the friction that traditional orthodontics brings.

Our team treats both teens and adults with clear aligners and manages the full process here in Harlan, from the initial digital scan through your final retainer. This page covers what aligners can correct, who is a good candidate, and what treatment looks like from start to finish. We see patients from across Shelby County and no referral is needed.

3D illustration of a clear aligner tray being placed onto a lower arch of teeth

Explore Topics on this Page

What Are Clear Aligners?

What Aligners Can Correct

Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

Are You a Candidate?

What the Treatment Process Looks Like

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are a series of custom fabricated, removable plastic trays designed to move teeth gradually into the correct position. Each tray in the series is slightly different from the last, advancing the tooth movement by a small increment. When worn in sequence, the trays guide teeth from their current position to their planned final position over the course of treatment.

The trays are made from a smooth, clear material and fit flush against the teeth. They are not the same as the over the counter whitening trays or mail order aligner kits. Each set is custom made from a digital scan of your specific teeth and planned by our team to match your case.

Gloved orthodontist fitting a clear ceramic bracket onto a young woman's tooth

What Clear Aligners Can Correct

Aligners are effective for a wider range of cases than most patients expect. The following are the conditions our team treats most commonly.

Crowded Teeth

When teeth overlap or are pushed out of position because there is not enough space in the arch. Mild to moderate crowding can usually be corrected without extractions.

Spacing and Gaps

Gaps between teeth, whether from a naturally wide arch, a missing tooth that has caused neighboring teeth to drift, or teeth that have shifted over time.

Overbite

When the upper front teeth extend too far over the lower front teeth. Many mild to moderate overbites respond well to aligner therapy.

Underbite

When the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth when biting down. Aligners can address mild underbites. More significant cases may require additional evaluation.

Crossbite

When some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than outside them. Aligner therapy is effective for crossbites when addressed early enough.

Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

Both options move teeth effectively. The right choice depends on the complexity of your case and your priorities during treatment.

Clear Aligners

Virtually invisible while wearing

Removable for eating and brushing

No food restrictions

No wire adjustments or bracket irritation

Requires discipline to wear 20 to 22 hours per day

Traditional Metal Braces

Visible metal brackets and wires

Fixed, cannot be removed

Certain foods must be avoided

Periodic adjustments required

Appropriate for more complex bite corrections

Our team will recommend the right option for your case at your consultation. Cases outside what aligners can address are referred to a trusted specialist.

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Are You a Candidate for Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners may be right for you if:

You have mild to moderate crowding, spacing, or a bite issue

You want a less visible option than traditional metal braces

You are able to commit to wearing the trays 20 to 22 hours per day

You have finished growing, or are a teenager with sufficient dental development

You have no active gum disease or untreated decay (these need to be resolved first)

You are considering aligners before veneers, whitening, or another cosmetic procedure

Close-up of a woman's lower face showing crowded, crooked front teeth before orthodontic treatment

What the Treatment Process Looks Like

Consultation and Exam

Our team reviews your bite, tooth position, and gum health to confirm aligners are appropriate for your case. If there is active decay or gum disease, that is addressed first. If your case complexity is better suited to a specialist, we tell you at this stage.

Digital Scan and Treatment Simulation

We scan your teeth digitally. No trays of impression material. The scan generates a 3D model of your current teeth, and from that we build a simulation showing the full planned tooth movement from start to finish. You review and approve the projected result before any trays are made.

Tray Delivery and Fitting

Your custom trays arrive and you come in for a fitting. Our team seats the first tray, confirms the fit, and walks you through how to insert and remove the trays, how to clean them, and what to expect in the first few days.

Progress Appointments

Every six to eight weeks you come in briefly so our team can confirm your teeth are tracking correctly with the simulation. These visits are short. Between appointments you advance through your tray sets at home on the prescribed schedule.

Retainer

When the final tray is complete, we take a new scan and fabricate a retainer. The retainer holds your teeth in their corrected position. Without it, teeth will shift back over time. Our team discusses retainer options at the start of treatment so you know what the long-term commitment looks like before you begin.

Words From Our Patients

Why Patients Choose Markham for Clear Aligner Therapy

The Markham Family Dental Associates team posed together outside the office

Digital scanning and a full treatment simulation before you commit to anything

Meet The Team

Markham team member positioning a patient at the CBCT 3D imaging scanner

Full aligner treatment managed by our team, start to finish, here in Harlan

Our Technology

Modern dental treatment room with a chair and a digital dental X-ray on the monitor

Treatment for teens and adults with scheduling that fits around your life

Our Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about clear aligner therapy in Harlan, Iowa.

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Exterior of the Markham Family Dental Associates office at 2105 Pine St, Harlan, Iowa

Prepare for Your Visit

Patient Forms

Download and complete your forms before your appointment to save time when you arrive. Plan to come in 10 to 15 minutes early so we can get you settled.

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Insurance and Financing

We work with many PPO dental insurance plans and can file claims on your behalf when insurance applies. Financing options may be available for patients who need flexible payment options. Ask our front desk what works best for your situation.

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