Clear Aligners
in Bay Ridge: Straighten Your Teeth Invisibly
Straighten your teeth without brackets or wires. Clear aligners are custom-made, removable, and nearly invisible, so you can smile, eat, and live comfortably throughout treatment. Unlike mail-order kits, your aligner treatment at Costalos Orthodontics is planned and checked in person by a board-certified orthodontist, so you can feel confident at every step.
How Clear Aligners Work
Aligners take a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of transparent, removable appliances created for you and only you. They’re made of smooth, comfortable, virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Each set gently shifts your teeth according to the exact movements Dr. Costalos plans for you. There are no brackets and no wires to tighten. You simply switch to a new set about every 1 to 2 weeks until treatment is complete. Best of all, most people won’t even know you’re straightening your teeth.
Why Choose an Orthodontist for Your Aligners?
Clear aligners are only as good as the plan behind them. At Costalos Orthodontics, a board-certified orthodontist designs every tooth movement, checks your progress in person, and adjusts your plan whenever it’s needed. That hands-on care is the difference between a smile that’s almost right and one that’s truly finished.
Exam before treatment: Complete in-person exam with X-rays to check teeth, gums, and bite.
Who plans your treatment: A board-certified orthodontist.
Progress checks: In-person visits to make sure teeth are moving as planned.
Attachments and refinements: Added whenever needed for precise movements.
Bite correction: Plans for how your teeth fit together, not just how they look.
If something goes wrong: Our team is a phone call away
Aligners with Dr. Costalos
vs. Mail-Order Kits
Not all aligner treatment is the same. Here’s how specialist-led care compares with typical direct-to-consumer kits.
Aligners with Dr. Costalos
- Exam before treatment: Complete in-person exam with X-rays to check teeth, gums, and bite
- Who plans your treatment: A board-certified orthodontist
- Progress checks: In-person visits to make sure teeth are moving as planned
- Attachments and refinements: Added whenever needed for precise movements
- Bite correction: Plans for how your teeth fit together, not just how they look
- If something goes wrong: Our team is a phone call away
Typical Mail-Order Kits
- Exam before treatment: Often based on photos or an at-home impression
- Who plans your treatment: Varies, often reviewed remotely
- Progress checks: Usually remote, if at all
- Attachments and refinements: Limited or not available
- Bite correction: Often focused on front-tooth straightening
- If something goes wrong: Customer service by email or chat
Are Clear Aligners
Right for You?
Clear aligners work beautifully for many teens and adults. They’re often a great fit for:
- Crowded teeth that overlap or twist.
- Gaps and spacing between teeth.
- Many bite issues, including overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
- Teeth that shifted after childhood braces.
The most important factor is commitment. Aligners only work when they’re worn as directed. Some complex cases still do better with braces, and if that’s true for you, we’ll tell you honestly and explain why.
Living with Clear Aligners
A few simple habits keep your treatment on track and your aligners looking clear.
- Wear them 20 to 22 hours a day. Take them out only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. Drink only water with aligners in. Remove them for anything else to prevent stains and cavities.
- Brush before putting them back in. Trapped food and sugar can harm your teeth.
- Clean them gently. Rinse and brush your aligners with cool water. Hot water can warp them.
- Use your case. Always keep your aligners in their case when they’re out of your mouth. Napkins are the number one way aligners get lost.
- Switch on schedule. Move to each new set as directed, usually every 1 to 2 weeks.
It’s normal to feel some pressure for a day or two with each new set. That’s a sign your aligners are working.
Clear Aligner Questions,
Answered
Are aligners as effective as braces?
For many mild to moderate cases, yes, when they’re planned by an orthodontist and worn as directed. Braces may still be the better choice for some complex bites. Dr. Costalos will recommend whichever option will give you the best result.
How long does aligner treatment take?
Many cases finish in about 12 to 18 months, and minor corrections can be much shorter. Your timeline depends on your case and on wearing your aligners consistently.
What happens if I lose or break an aligner?
Call us. Depending on where you are in treatment, we may have you move to your next set early or wear your previous set until a replacement arrives. Try not to go without aligners, since teeth can start to shift back.
Can teens use aligners?
Yes, many teens are great candidates. Aligners are comfortable, discreet, and easy to keep clean. The key is wearing them 20 to 22 hours a day, so we’ll talk with you and your teen about whether they’re the right fit.
Do aligners hurt?
Most people feel mild pressure for a day or two with each new set, which is a sign the aligners are working. It’s usually very manageable.
Can I drink coffee with my aligners in?
It’s best to take them out for anything but water. Coffee, tea, and colored or sugary drinks can stain your aligners and trap sugar against your teeth.
What are attachments?
Attachments are small, tooth-colored bumps bonded to some teeth. They help the aligners grip and move teeth more precisely, and they’re removed when treatment is complete.
How often will I need appointments?
Usually every 6 to 10 weeks, so we can check your progress and give you your next sets of aligners.
Will I need a retainer?
Yes. Like braces, aligner treatment is followed by retainers to keep your teeth from shifting back.
Does insurance cover clear aligners?
If your plan includes orthodontic benefits, they often apply to aligners the same way they apply to braces. Our team will check your coverage and go over payment options with you.
Have More Questions?
Explore Related Treatments
Healthy teeth can be moved at any age. It’s never too late.
From a first check-up at age 7 to braces that fit busy teen lives.
Curious About Clear Aligners in Bay Ridge?
Book a consultation with Dr. Costalos and get an honest answer, plus a look at what your new smile could be.