Wanting straighter teeth without a mouth full of metal is a very reasonable goal. Clear aligners are removable, nearly invisible trays that gradually move your teeth, so you can keep smiling in photos, meetings, and sunset dinners along the Newport Beach waterfront while treatment is underway.
Dr. Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM, offers clear aligners at our Newport Beach office as part of our cosmetic dentistry services. She uses ProMonitoring, a remote monitoring system that lets her review your progress digitally at each aligner change.
Achieve your dream smile with cosmetic dentistry and flexible financing that makes transformation affordable.
Clear aligners are smooth, custom-fit plastic trays that apply gentle pressure to move your teeth a little at a time. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, each set is typically worn for a week or two before you switch to the next, and the best results come from wearing them 20 to 22 hours a day, or as prescribed. You take them out to eat and brush, which is one reason they are popular with teens and young adults alike.
Here is how treatment usually unfolds at our office.
Clear aligners often work well for mild to moderate concerns, and Dr. Sharbash can tell you during your visit whether your teeth fit that picture.
The AAO notes that severe bite problems, significant tooth rotations, and large gaps may respond better to traditional braces, which is why a personal evaluation matters. Our post on how clear aligners address specific bite issues goes deeper.
Both options move teeth, but they feel quite different day to day. Our post on clear aligners vs. traditional braces covers the details, and the table below hits the highlights.
| Clear Aligners | Traditional Braces | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Nearly invisible plastic trays | Brackets and wires |
| Removable | Yes, for meals and cleaning | No, fixed in place |
| Eating | Trays come out, so no wires to catch or break | Food can catch on hardware |
| Brushing and Flossing | Remove trays and clean as usual | Clean around the hardware |
| Best Fit | Mild to moderate concerns | May offer more precision for severe cases |
| Depends On | Wearing trays 20 to 22 hours a day | Keeping up with hardware care |
The right choice depends on your teeth and your lifestyle, and Dr. Sharbash will walk you through both.
ProMonitoring is the remote clear aligner monitoring system Dr. Sharbash uses. It is an AI-driven platform that has received FDA clearance and allows digital oversight at every aligner change, which may reduce the need for in-office aligner checks. Reviewing progress at each step can help catch small issues early and may help avoid refinements, and built-in messaging and notifications keep you involved along the way. You can read more in our posts on ProMonitoring technology and the ProMonitoring system.
The cost of clear aligners varies with your case, and Dr. Sharbash reviews your options with you after your evaluation. Our post on clear aligner costs in Newport Beach explains what shapes the price, and our insurance and financing page shows how we help make cosmetic care more manageable.
Here are quick answers to questions we hear often.
Plan on 20 to 22 hours a day, or as Dr. Sharbash prescribes. Take them out to eat and clean your teeth, and keep them in their case rather than a napkin or pocket.
It depends on your teeth, and the number of aligners varies from person to person. Dr. Sharbash can give you an estimate after your evaluation, and our clear aligner treatment timeline post explains what shapes the schedule.
Aligners apply gentle pressure, so you may notice some tightness when you switch to a new set. Smooth, custom-fit trays are designed to limit discomfort, and if you feel a rough spot, let our team know.
Water is the only drink recommended with aligners in. Other liquids can get trapped against your teeth, which may stain the trays and raise your cavity risk, so remove them first and brush before putting them back. Our guide to caring for clear aligners has more tips.
Not always. Severe bite problems, significant tooth rotations, and large gaps may respond better to braces, so Dr. Sharbash evaluates your teeth before recommending a plan.
ProMonitoring is the remote monitoring system we use for clear aligner care. It allows digital oversight at every aligner change, so Dr. Sharbash can track your progress and address small issues early.
Straightening your teeth should feel manageable, and our team is here to make it that way. Dr. Laura Sharbash is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, and a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the Orange County Dental Society. She pairs that training with ProMonitoring so you stay connected to your care, and you can combine aligners with veneers or a full smile makeover if you want to refine your smile further.
Aligner treatment starts with a conversation about your goals and your teeth, so there is no need to have it all figured out beforehand. Request your clear aligner consultation online.
Don’t let dental anxiety prevent you from getting the care you need. Schedule a sedation dentistry consultation with Dr. Sharbash today.
