FAQ

ClearChange Aligners may be suitable for a range of mild to moderate orthodontic conditions, and suitability is determined through a clinical assessment by a registered dental provider before any treatment begins. Not all orthodontic cases are appropriate for clear aligner treatment, and the complexity of your individual situation will influence whether aligners are a clinically appropriate option for you. Your registered dental provider is best placed to assess your teeth and advise on whether clear aligners clinic in NZ treatment is suitable for your specific needs.

Treatment duration varies from patient to patient and depends on the complexity of the orthodontic condition being addressed, the number of aligner sets required, and how consistently the aligners are worn throughout the treatment period. Simpler cases may require a shorter treatment period, while more involved cases may take longer. Your registered dental provider will provide an indication of the expected timeframe for your individual case following a clinical assessment, and will monitor your progress throughout to advise on any adjustments needed along the way.

Before starting treatment, a consultation with a registered ClearChange Aligners dental provider is required. During this appointment, your provider will carry out a clinical examination of your teeth, discuss your orthodontic concerns, and assess whether clear aligner treatment is appropriate for your situation. If treatment is clinically suitable, your provider will take an intraoral scan of your teeth to begin the treatment planning process. No treatment begins until your provider has completed this assessment and you have had the opportunity to discuss the proposed plan.

Clear aligners are generally recommended to be worn for the majority of the day and night to support tooth movement, with removal only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene. Consistent wear throughout the course of treatment is generally recommended to support tooth movement, though individual responses to aligner treatment vary and your dental provider will monitor progress and advise on any adjustments needed along the way. The specific wear guidance for your treatment will be discussed by your registered dental provider.

If tooth movement does not progress as anticipated during treatment, your dental provider may take additional intraoral scans and submit a refinement case to our team at ClearChange Aligners. We will develop a revised treatment plan based on the updated records, and revised aligners will be produced where clinically appropriate. Outcomes from refinement treatment vary depending on individual circumstances and will be discussed with your dental provider before any further treatment proceeds. Your provider will monitor your progress throughout and advise on appropriate next steps if refinements are needed.

Clear aligner treatment may be considered for teenage patients in certain circumstances, though suitability depends on factors such as the stage of dental development and whether the relevant permanent teeth have fully erupted. A registered dental provider will assess whether clear aligner treatment is clinically appropriate based on the individual patient's age, dental development, and orthodontic needs. We encourage patients and their families to discuss suitability with a registered provider as a first step.

Once the planned series of aligners has been completed and the treatment goal has been achieved to the satisfaction of your dental provider, a final clinical review is conducted. At this stage, retention options are discussed with your provider to help maintain the tooth positions achieved through treatment. Retainers can help to reduce the likelihood of teeth gradually shifting after treatment, though individual outcomes vary and some degree of change over time may still occur. Your dental provider will advise on the most appropriate retention approach for your situation.

ClearChange Aligners are manufactured in New Zealand, which can support more predictable turnaround times for your treatment. Your registered dental provider can give you a timeframe specific to your case and will keep you informed of progress at each stage of your treatment.

If an aligner is lost or damaged during treatment, we recommend contacting your registered dental provider as soon as possible so they can advise on the most appropriate course of action. Depending on the stage of treatment and the specific aligner affected, your provider may recommend moving to the next aligner in the sequence or requesting a replacement. We will work with your provider to address the situation and support continuity of your treatment plan where clinically possible.

Clear aligner treatment may be suitable for adults of any age, provided they meet the clinical criteria assessed by a registered dental provider. There is no fixed age cut-off, but suitability is always determined on a case by case basis and depends on factors such as the overall health of the teeth and gums, the type of orthodontic concern being addressed, and the complexity of the case. A consultation with a registered provider is the appropriate starting point for anyone considering clear aligner treatment in New Zealand.