Clear Aligners in Southern Maryland

Clear aligners are a great solution for patients who want straighter teeth, and discreet aesthetics.

Southern Maryland Orthodontic Studio offers clear aligners for patients of all ages.

Join our mailing list to receive important updates and information. Opening Summer 2026.

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Same Science, Discreet Look

How Clear Aligners Work

Clear aligners move teeth by utilizing a series of removable plastic trays. Each set of trays applies pressure to move teeth into new positions over time. Fundamentally, aligners and braces use the same mechanics to reposition teeth. Invisalign® treatment is a type of clear aligner.

Patients wear each set of aligners for a period of time – up to a couple weeks – before switching to the next set in the series.

Clear aligners only work if they are worn consistently. Most patients wear them the majority of the day and night, removing them for meals, brushing, and drinking anything except for water.

Dr. Hagan uses digital scanning and 3D treatment planning to map out the entire tooth movement sequence before treatment starts. Patients see a simulation of how their teeth will shift from start to finish, then aligners are fabricated based on that plan.

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Evaluating Options

Clear Aligners vs. Braces

Both can straighten teeth and fix bites. The difference is aesthetics, control, compliance needs, and case complexity.

Clear aligners tend to be a good fit when:

A patient prefers low visibility
Dealing with mild to moderate cases
The patient can wear trays consistently (very critical)

Metal or clear braces tend to be the better tool when:

The case is complex or needs elevated control
A patient isn’t going to keep trays in consistently

Less Visible, Highly effective

Benefits of Clear Aligners

Aesthetics

Aesthetics drive the decision for most patients. The trays are virtually invisible at a conversational distance and usually unnoticeable in photos.

Hygiene

With clear aligners, patients remove trays, then brush and floss normally. There is no hardware to trap food debris. With braces, brushing and flossing require threading floss under wires and working around brackets.

Comfort

Soft tissue irritation is also minimal. Metal braces can sometimes chafe and poke the inside of the cheeks or lips. Smooth plastic trays eliminate those issues.

Ideal Candidates for Clear Aligners

Patients often do well with aligners if they:

Have mild to moderate crowding or spacing
Want to correct minor bite issues
Are committed to maintaining oral hygiene
Can commit to wearing aligners consistently, every day

Patients may not be a great fit if they:

Have a more complex case that necessitates the strength and control of braces
Will not be able to wear aligners consistently
Do not remove aligners during eating or drinking liquids other than water

Caring For Clear Aligners

Rinse aligners every time they are removed, and clean them daily with a soft toothbrush, clear liquid soap, and warm or cool water.

Store aligners in their case when not in use to minimize the chance they are lost or damaged. Avoid applying heat, as it can warp aligners and ruin the fit.

Clear Aligners FAQ

Treatment time depends on the complexity of the case. Mild cases might wrap up in less than a year. More involved cases can take 18 months or longer. Dr. Hagan gives a time estimate during the initial consultation based on the specific tooth movements needed.

After treatment, a retainer is used to keep teeth in alignment.

Patients should remove aligners before eating or drinking anything except water. Coffee, tea, soda, or anything with color or sugar needs aligners out first – beverages can stain the plastic or get trapped against teeth.

Some patients notice a slight impairment for the first few days. However, this usually goes away quickly as the tongue adjusts to the plastic.

Patients usually feel pressure when switching to a new tray. That’s normal – the pressure is what moves teeth. It tends to be most noticeable in the first day or two of a new aligner. Patients should contact the office if they’re experiencing sharp pain.

Contact Us

Join our mailing list to receive important updates and information.

Opening Summer 2026.

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Communities we Serve

We treat patients from across Washington, D.C., Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Charles, and Calvert counties, and more. Some communities we serve include: