Clear Aligners in South Barrington, IL

What Clear Aligners Are

ClearCorrect clear aligners are a series of custom-made, thin plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth. Each tray is slightly different from the last, gradually moving your teeth into the target position. You wear each aligner for 1-2 weeks before progressing to the next. Treatment typically involves 20-50 aligner sets depending on case complexity.

Benefits

• Nearly invisible (most people do not notice you are wearing aligners)
• Removable for eating, brushing, and special occasions
• More comfortable than metal braces (no wires or brackets to irritate soft tissue)
• Fewer dietary restrictions than braces
• Easier to maintain oral hygiene (brush and floss normally)
• Digital treatment planning shows expected outcome before starting
• Fewer office visits than traditional braces
• Effective for most mild to moderate alignment issues

Conditions Clear Aligners Can Treat

• Crowding (teeth overlapping or twisted)
• Gaps between teeth
• Mild to moderate overbite
• Mild to moderate underbite
• Crossbite (in select cases)
• Open bite (in select cases)
• Relapse after previous orthodontic treatment
• Preparation for restorative or cosmetic work

The Clear Aligner Process Step by Step

Step 1: Consultation and Exam. Dr. Allison Bartley evaluates your teeth, bite, and alignment goals. Digital photos and an 3D Scanning for Digital Impressions capture your starting point.

Step 2: Digital Treatment Plan. A digital plan is created showing expected tooth movement week by week. You can see the projected final outcome before committing to treatment.

Step 3: Attachments. Small tooth-colored composite bumps are bonded to specific teeth to help the aligners apply precise forces. These are removed at the end of treatment.

Step 4: Aligner Delivery. You receive your first set of aligners and detailed wear instructions.

Step 5: Active Treatment. Wear each aligner 20-22 hours per day, switching to the next set every 1-2 weeks as directed. Removing only for eating, brushing, and flossing.

Step 6: Check-In Visits. Return every 6-10 weeks for progress checks.

Step 7: Refinement (if needed). Minor refinement aligners at the end of treatment address any remaining corrections.

Step 8: Retention. Retainers are provided to maintain the new tooth position long-term.

Timeline

• Consultation to first aligners: 2-4 weeks
• Average treatment length: 6-12 months for mild to moderate cases; 12-18 months for more complex cases
• Aligner changes: Every 1-2 weeks
• Office visits: Every 6-10 weeks
• Retainer wear: Lifelong (nightly after initial full-time period) to prevent relapse

Cost Factors

ClearCorrect treatment cost depends on complexity and treatment length. Cost is comparable to Invisalign for similar cases. Many PPO dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits that cover a portion of treatment (often $1,500-$2,500 lifetime benefit). We verify orthodontic coverage during consultation.

CareCredit and GreenSky financing are frequently used for aligner treatment, often with 0% APR promotional periods that match the treatment length. See our finance and insurance page.

Risks and Limitations

Patient compliance required. Aligners work only when worn. 20-22 hours per day is non-negotiable for treatment to proceed as planned.

Not appropriate for severe cases. Complex malocclusion, severe rotations, or significant bite problems may require traditional braces.

Mild discomfort with new aligners. Each new set feels tight for 1-2 days. This is normal and expected.

Speech adjustment. Some patients notice a slight lisp for the first few days.

Risk of lost or broken aligners. Replacement aligners can be ordered but may extend treatment.

Relapse without retainers. Teeth can shift back toward their original position without proper retention. Lifelong nightly retainer wear is recommended.

Who Is a Good Candidate

• Adults and teens with mild to moderate crowding, spacing, or bite issues
• Patients committed to wearing aligners 20-22 hours daily
• Patients with good oral health (no active decay or gum disease)
• Patients whose permanent teeth have fully erupted
• Patients who previously had braces and experienced relapse

Who Is NOT a Good Candidate

• Severe malocclusion requiring skeletal correction
• Patients who cannot commit to wearing aligners consistently
• Patients with active periodontal disease (treat first)
• Patients with significant bone loss
• Very complex cases better suited to traditional braces or orthodontic specialist care

Comparison: ClearCorrect vs. Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

ClearCorrect: Effective for most mild to moderate cases, comparable results to Invisalign for similar indications, often at competitive pricing.

Invisalign: The best-known clear aligner brand, larger market share, treatments for more complex cases.

Traditional metal braces: Most effective for complex movements, severe rotations, and skeletal issues. More visible and less comfortable.

Lingual braces: Traditional braces placed behind the teeth. Invisible from the front but more expensive and initially uncomfortable.

For most adult cases with mild to moderate alignment concerns, clear aligners (ClearCorrect or Invisalign) provide excellent results.

Alternatives

• Traditional metal or ceramic braces for complex cases
• Orthodontic specialist referral for very severe cases
• Cosmetic veneers for minor cosmetic alignment concerns that don’t require true orthodontic correction
• Bonding for very minor shape or gap adjustments