Invisalign and Clear Aligners in Sandgate
Clear aligners are a series of custom-made, clear plastic trays that move teeth gradually. They may help with mild to moderate crowding, gaps and some bite problems. They aren’t suitable for every case. Dr Nina checks whether aligners suit you at a consultation.
Book a consultation (opens in a new tab) Rather talk first? Call (07) 3269 625212 Lagoon St, Sandgate QLD 4017 · Open Saturday mornings, 8:00AM to 12:00PM · Preferred provider for HCF, CBHS, nib and HIF
If you'd like straighter teeth without the appearance of traditional metal braces, clear aligners offer a discreet, removable alternative. Sandgate Family Dental is a registered Invisalign provider. Clear aligner consultations are with Dr Nina Stallman, who provides clear aligner treatment for adults and teens looking to improve mild to moderate alignment concerns. The aligners are virtually invisible when worn, removable for eating and cleaning, and designed to move your teeth gradually into a more aligned position over a series of months, although results vary from person to person.
Clear aligners at a glance
- First step
- Consultations are with Dr Nina Stallman. She checks whether aligners suit your teeth and bite.
- Invisalign
- Sandgate Family Dental is a registered Invisalign provider.
- Wearing them
- Usually 20 to 22 hours a day. Take them out to eat, drink anything but water, and brush.
- How long it takes
- It depends on your case and how consistently you wear them. Your dentist gives you an estimated timeline.
- After treatment
- You’ll need to wear a retainer. Without one, teeth can shift back over time.
- Health funds
- Preferred provider for HCF, CBHS, nib and HIF; approved provider for Smile.com.au. Most funds class aligners as orthodontics, and some policies don’t cover it. What you get back depends on your policy, cover and limits, and waiting periods may apply.
- Where and when
- 12 Lagoon St, Sandgate QLD 4017 · (07) 3269 6252
Mon–Thurs 8:30AM–5:00PM · Fri 8:30AM–4:00PM · Sat 8:00AM–12:00PM
What Are Clear Aligners?
At Sandgate Family Dental, clear aligner treatment is provided by our principal dentist Dr Nina, for patients across Sandgate and north Brisbane who would like to straighten crowding, gaps or a crossbite discreetly. She will assess whether aligners suit your case and talk through your options with you.
Clear aligners are a series of custom-made, transparent plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth. Each set of aligners is slightly different, applying gentle, controlled pressure to move your teeth incrementally towards the desired position. You wear each set for a specified period (typically one to two weeks) before progressing to the next set in the series.
Because the aligners are made from smooth, transparent material, they're far less noticeable than traditional braces. They can also be removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing — which makes maintaining your oral hygiene straightforward during treatment.
Clear aligner treatment falls under cosmetic dentistry, though the benefits are often both aesthetic and functional. Straighter teeth can be easier to clean, which may contribute to better long-term oral health.
What Concerns Can Clear Aligners Address?
Clear aligners can be effective for a range of mild to moderate alignment and bite concerns.
Common issues that may be treated with clear aligners include:
- Mild to moderate crowding (where teeth overlap or are rotated)
- Spacing (gaps between teeth)
- Some cases of overbite, underbite or crossbite
- Teeth that have shifted over time (including after previous orthodontic treatment)
Clear aligners may not be suitable for more complex orthodontic cases, such as severe crowding, significant bite discrepancies, or situations involving teeth that need to be rotated substantially or moved vertically. In these cases, your dentist may discuss alternative approaches or refer you to a specialist orthodontist.
The suitability of clear aligners depends on your individual situation. Your dentist will assess your teeth and bite at a consultation and let you know whether aligners are a suitable option for you.
How Clear Aligner Treatment Works
Clear aligner treatment at Sandgate Family Dental follows a structured process from initial consultation through to retention.
- Consultation and Assessment Your dentist will examine your teeth, take X-rays, and discuss your goals and concerns. If clear aligners are suitable for your case, digital scans or impressions of your teeth are taken to create a 3D model of your mouth. This is used to map out the planned tooth movements and design your custom aligner series.
- Your Treatment Plan Using the digital model, your dentist will show you a projected treatment plan — including the expected movement of your teeth at each stage and an estimated treatment timeline. This gives you a clear picture of the anticipated outcome, although actual results vary from person to person. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any aspects of the plan.
- Wearing Your Aligners
Once your aligners are ready, you'll receive your first sets and instructions on how to wear and care for them. Aligners should generally be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing your teeth. You'll switch to a new set of aligners every one to two weeks, as directed by your dentist.
Small tooth-coloured attachments (small dots of composite resin) may be bonded to certain teeth to help the aligners grip and move those teeth more effectively. These are temporary and are removed at the end of treatment.
- Progress Check-Ups You'll visit our Sandgate clinic for periodic check-ups (typically every six to eight weeks) so your dentist can monitor progress, provide your next sets of aligners, and make any adjustments to the treatment plan if needed.
- Retention Once your teeth have reached their final position, you'll need to wear a retainer to maintain the result. Without retention, teeth can gradually shift back towards their original position. Your dentist will discuss retainer options with you — this may include a removable retainer worn at night or a fixed retainer bonded behind the teeth.
Benefits of Clear Aligner Treatment
Clear aligners have become a popular choice for patients who want to improve the alignment of their teeth with minimal impact on their daily life. Some of the key advantages include:
Discreet appearance
The transparent trays are difficult to notice when worn, making them a popular choice for working professionals and adults who prefer a less visible treatment.
Removability
You can take them out to eat, drink, brush and floss — meaning there are no dietary restrictions and oral hygiene is easier to maintain compared to fixed braces.
Comfort
The smooth plastic trays don't have the wires and brackets that can cause irritation to the cheeks and lips.
Fewer appointments
Clear aligner check-ups are generally less frequent than adjustments for traditional braces.
It's worth noting that clear aligners require discipline — the trays need to be worn for the recommended hours each day to achieve the planned result. Treatment outcomes depend on patient compliance as well as the complexity of the case.
Clear Aligners vs. Other Cosmetic Options
Depending on your goals, clear aligners may be one of several options worth considering. Your dentist can help you understand which approach is most appropriate for your situation.
If your concern is primarily about the colour of your teeth rather than their alignment, teeth whitening may be a simpler solution.
For minor chips, gaps or shape concerns on individual teeth, dental bonding can often address these in a single appointment.
Porcelain veneers can change the appearance of teeth in terms of colour, shape and minor alignment — but they involve removing a thin layer of enamel and are better suited to cosmetic concerns rather than functional alignment issues.
Clear aligners are specifically designed to move teeth into a more aligned position, so they address the underlying positioning rather than masking the appearance. For patients who want both alignment correction and cosmetic enhancement, a staged approach — aligners first, followed by whitening or bonding — can sometimes achieve a comprehensive result.
Treatment Duration and What to Expect
The length of clear aligner treatment varies depending on the complexity of your case and how consistently you wear your aligners. Treatment usually takes about 6 to 18 months.
During treatment, you may notice some mild tightness or pressure when you switch to a new set of aligners — this is normal and usually subsides within a day or two. Some patients find that their speech is slightly affected for the first few days of wearing aligners, but this typically improves quickly as the tongue adjusts.
Your dentist will provide an estimated treatment timeline at your consultation, but it's important to understand that the actual duration depends on how consistently the aligners are worn and how your teeth respond to treatment.
Caring for Your Aligners
Looking after your aligners helps keep them clean, clear and effective throughout your treatment.
- Rinse your aligners each time you remove them to wash away saliva and bacteria. Clean them daily using a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water — avoid hot water, as it can warp the plastic. Dedicated aligner cleaning solutions are also available. Don't use regular toothpaste, as some formulas can be abrasive and scratch the surface, which can make the aligners appear cloudy.
- Always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. Store them in the protective case provided when they're not in your mouth — this prevents them from being lost, damaged or accidentally thrown away.
- Continue your regular oral hygiene routine during treatment. Brush and floss after meals before putting your aligners back in. Maintaining good oral health throughout treatment helps ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy while they're being moved. Regular check-ups and cleans remain important during aligner treatment.
What Affects the Cost of Clear Aligners?
There's no single price for clear aligners. Your cost depends on your teeth and your treatment plan.
- How much your teeth need to move. Mild crowding or small gaps usually need fewer aligners than more involved cases.
- How long treatment takes. Longer treatment means more aligner sets and more progress check-ups.
- Your assessment. X-rays and digital scans or impressions are part of planning your aligners.
- Other dental work first. If you need treatment such as a filling before aligners, it's quoted and charged separately.
- Retainers. You'll need a retainer after treatment to help hold your teeth in their new position.
- Your health fund. Most funds treat aligners as orthodontics. Some policies don't include it, and waiting periods and limits may apply.
Dr Nina gives you a cost estimate before treatment begins, so you know what to expect. You can pay by eftpos, card or cash, and we accept Afterpay, Humm and Zip. To see how fund cover works for aligners, read about orthodontic cover.
Health Fund and Payment Options
Clear aligner treatment is classified as orthodontic treatment by most health funds. Coverage varies significantly depending on your fund and level of extras cover. Some policies include an orthodontic benefit, while others don't cover orthodontic treatment at all. Waiting periods and annual limits may also apply. We recommend checking with your fund before beginning treatment so you have a clear picture of what's covered.
At Sandgate Family Dental, we process health fund claims using HICAPS where applicable. We are a preferred provider for HCF, nib, CBHS and HIF. Visit our health funds page for more details on the funds we work with. You can also read about orthodontic cover and how it applies to aligner treatment.
Our team is happy to provide a full cost estimate and discuss payment arrangements before treatment begins, so you know what to expect. If you're new to our practice, check out our new patient offer.
Worried about how aligners will feel?
You may feel some tightness or pressure when you switch to a new set. This usually eases within a day or two. Your speech may change slightly for the first few days.
Visiting us
Sandgate Family Dental, 12 Lagoon St, Sandgate QLD 4017 · (07) 3269 6252
Mon–Thurs 8:30AM–5:00PM · Fri 8:30AM–4:00PM · Sat 8:00AM–12:00PM
Frequently Asked Questions About Clear Aligners
How long does clear aligner treatment take?
Treatment duration varies depending on the complexity of your case and how consistently you wear your aligners. Treatment usually takes about 6 to 18 months. Your dentist will provide an estimated timeline at your consultation.
Do clear aligners hurt?
You may feel some mild tightness or pressure when you switch to a new set of aligners — this is normal. The sensation usually subsides within a day or two. Clear aligners have no wires or brackets to cause irritation.
Can I eat and drink with my aligners in?
You should remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. This prevents staining, damage to the trays, and food getting trapped between the aligners and your teeth. Brush your teeth after meals before reinserting the aligners.
How many hours a day do I need to wear my aligners?
For the treatment to progress as planned, aligners generally need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day. They should only be removed for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing your teeth. Wearing them less than recommended can slow your progress and extend your treatment time.
Are clear aligners suitable for everyone?
Clear aligners can work well for mild to moderate alignment and bite concerns. They may not be suitable for more complex orthodontic issues. Your dentist will assess your teeth, bite and overall oral health at a consultation and let you know whether clear aligners are a suitable option — or whether an alternative approach may be more appropriate.
Will I need to wear a retainer after treatment?
Yes. Once your teeth have been moved into their desired position, a retainer is needed to maintain the result. Without retention, teeth can gradually shift back over time. Your dentist will discuss retainer options with you, which may include a removable nighttime retainer or a fixed retainer bonded behind the teeth.
Will my health fund cover clear aligners?
It depends on your policy. Most funds treat clear aligners as orthodontics, so you need extras cover that includes orthodontics. Many policies have a waiting period and a lifetime limit for orthodontics. Check these with your fund before you start. We claim on the spot with HICAPS, and what you get back depends on your fund, cover and remaining limits. The Child Dental Benefits Schedule doesn't cover orthodontics. Dr Nina gives you a cost estimate before treatment begins.
Your Sandgate Dentists
Clear Aligners for Patients Across North Brisbane
Sandgate Family Dental is located at 12 Lagoon St, Sandgate, with convenient access for patients throughout the North Brisbane bayside area. We're open six days a week, including Saturday mornings, making it easy to fit consultations and progress check-ups around your schedule.
We regularly care for patients from Sandgate, Shorncliffe, Brighton, Deagon, Boondall, Bracken Ridge, Taigum, Fitzgibbon, Clontarf, Woody Point, Margate and surrounding areas.
Whether you're curious about clear aligners, want to know if you're a suitable candidate, or are ready to start treatment — our team is here to help.
Related information
- Are clear aligners right for me? — who aligners tend to suit.
- Clear aligners compared with braces — how the options differ.
Explore our dental services
Book a consultation
Wondering whether clear aligners could work for you? Dr Nina Stallman can assess your teeth and explain your options.
Book a consultation (opens in a new tab)Or call (07) 3269 6252