According to the American Association of Orthodontics, around 4 million people wear clear aligners to improve tooth alignment, with more women than men reporting improvement.
However, everyone can benefit from wearing clear aligners if they’re struggling with crooked teeth or are concerned about their teeth shifting slightly with age, a completely normal process, but not exactly one that’s wanted.
But the thing is, many misconceptions can lead people to make mistakes when they start treatment, which can affect results and the quality of the experience, making some people feel they didn’t know what they were getting into or that it was a waste of money.
If you’re interested and want to learn more, a good place to start is to understand where many people go wrong so you can avoid this for yourself. Let’s take a look.
Not Wearing Them Long Enough
Aligners need to be worn for at least 20 hours per day. Minimum. You should only remove them to eat or drink anything other than water, or to brush your teeth. That’s it. And for the most part, people do stick to the wear durations as described by their dentist; however, not everyone does, especially if they’re feeling discomfort or extra pressure at any time.
The reality is that even missing a few hours here and there can significantly delay your progress. Your teeth can shift back to their original positions surprisingly quickly, sometimes within just a few hours of not wearing your aligners. This means that inconsistent wear doesn’t just slow down your treatment; it can actually reverse the progress you’ve already made, requiring you to restart with previous trays or extend your overall treatment time by months.
Many people underestimate how crucial compliance is to achieving their desired results within the projected timeframe. Setting phone reminders, keeping your aligner case with you at all times, and establishing a consistent routine can help you stay on track. So if you do opt to start this process, remember the wear duration isn’t always a guideline to meet; it’s explicit, and you need to commit to this every single day of the treatment.
Not Cleaning Aligners
This is more common among new users who are just getting used to things, but neglecting to care for your brace can affect results and put your mouth at risk of infections or complications due to buildup on the aligners. You need to make sure you follow correct cleaning procedures every single day using antibacterial soap.
Beyond the health risks, dirty aligners become discolored and cloudy, which defeats one of the primary purposes of choosing clear aligners over traditional braces: discretion. Stained aligners are apparent and can be embarrassing, especially in professional or social settings.
Proper cleaning also extends to your oral hygiene routine. You should always brush and floss your teeth before reinserting your aligners after meals. Trapping food particles and bacteria between your teeth and aligners creates an environment where cavities and gum disease can develop rapidly. Some people make the mistake of rinsing their aligners with hot water, which can warp the plastic and affect the fit. Always use lukewarm water and consider investing in specialized cleaning crystals or tablets explicitly designed for clear aligners.
Underestimating Costs
Your dentist will give you a rough idea of your treatment plan based on the number of trays needed to complete it. This price can also include appointments, scans, and in some cases, replacement trays or refinements at the end.
But for some people, depending on the provider, there might be additional costs such as night time clear aligner costs, refinement costs, or costs for replacement trays. You might find that the ongoing cost of lifetime nightly retainers isn’t included upfront either. It can and does vary, so ask the right questions, understand what is included in the quoted price, and know any additional expenses outside of this that you could incur.
Insurance coverage is another area where people often get caught off guard. While some dental insurance plans cover a portion of orthodontic treatment, the coverage limits and eligibility criteria vary widely. Some plans only cover treatment for patients under 18, while others may have lifetime maximums that fall short of the total treatment cost.
It’s also worth considering the hidden costs of lifestyle adjustments. You may need to purchase cleaning supplies, protective cases for travel, and pain relief products for the initial adjustment periods. If you lose or damage your aligners, which happens more often than you’d think, replacement trays can cost between $100 and $250 per set. Getting a clear breakdown of all potential expenses upfront helps you budget appropriately and avoid financial stress during treatment.
Expecting Instant Results
While it is nice to think things will happen seemingly overnight, they won’t. Each patient will be given an estimated treatment timeline of 6 to 18 months, longer if you have a more complex change to make. It’s not quick, it isn’t easy, and you should not expect it to be.
One mistake people make is constantly checking for visible changes in the mirror. Tooth movement is gradual and incremental, typically only about 0.25mm per aligner. You’re unlikely to notice dramatic differences from week to week, which can be discouraging if you’re expecting a rapid transformation. Progress photos taken monthly, rather than daily self-assessment, provide a much better perspective on how far you’ve come.
Some people also become impatient and try to skip ahead or switch to the next set of aligners early, thinking they can speed up the process. This is dangerous and counterproductive. Each aligner needs the full recommended wear time (usually 1 to 2 weeks) to effectively move your teeth to the correct position before the next stage. Rushing through trays can lead to poor tracking, where the aligners no longer fit properly, potentially requiring you to backtrack or restart entirely.
But it will be worth the wait if you follow directions correctly, stay on top of cleaning and handling, and wear them for the recommended amount of time each day.
Skipping Dental Appointments
Regular check-ins with your orthodontist or dentist aren’t optional. They’re a critical part of successful treatment. Some people assume that because clear aligners are more “hands-off” than traditional braces, they don’t need to attend scheduled appointments. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
These appointments allow your provider to monitor your progress, ensure your teeth are tracking properly with the treatment plan, and address any issues before they become major problems. Your provider can identify if certain teeth aren’t moving as expected and make adjustments or order refinement trays. Skipping appointments means these problems go undetected, potentially adding months to your treatment or compromising your final results.
Ignoring Discomfort or Pain
While some discomfort is normal when you switch to a new set of aligners (it’s actually a sign that they’re working), severe or persistent pain should never be ignored. Many people make the mistake of powering through significant discomfort, thinking it’s just part of the process.
Sharp pain, cuts on your gums or tongue, or aligners that feel extremely tight might indicate that something isn’t right. Your aligners might not fit properly, you might have an underlying dental issue that needs attention, or the treatment plan might need adjustment. Communicating with your provider about pain levels ensures you get the support you need and prevents more serious complications down the line.
Forgetting About Retention
Perhaps the biggest mistake people make is thinking their journey ends when they complete their final aligner. The retention phase is just as important as the active treatment phase. Your teeth have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions, especially in the first few months after treatment.
Failing to wear your retainers as prescribed, typically every night indefinitely, can result in your teeth gradually moving back, essentially undoing all the time, money, and effort you invested. Many people get lax about retention after a few months, only to discover a year later that their teeth have shifted noticeably. Building retainer wear into your permanent nighttime routine is essential for maintaining your new smile for life.
