Clear Aligners for Teeth Straightening in Dunwoody, GA

Invisalign and Six Month Smiles are both clear aligner systems, but they treat different cases. Invisalign handles a wide range of alignment problems, from mild to complex, with treatment typically running 12 to 18 months or longer depending on tooth movement needed. Six Month Smiles focuses on the front “social six” teeth for cosmetic straightening in about four to nine months, making it faster for adults with mild crowding or spacing who don’t need a full bite correction. During your consultation at Dentistry With A Difference, Dr. Nordone or Dr. Oh will evaluate which system fits your case, timeline, and goals.

For mild to moderate alignment issues, crowding, spacing, minor bite problems, clear aligners are considered as effective as traditional braces when worn as prescribed, typically at least 22 hours per day. Traditional braces still have the edge for complex cases involving significant bite correction, vertical tooth movement, or rotating certain teeth into place. The bigger factor is patient compliance, because aligners only work when they’re actually in your mouth, so people who forget to wear them see slower or incomplete results. A consultation is the best way to know which option will give you the best outcome for your specific case.

In most cases, yes, clear aligners can work around existing crowns, veneers, and implants, but the treatment plan looks different. Aligners can move natural teeth around a dental implant, but they cannot move the implant itself because it’s fused to the jawbone. Crowns and veneers typically respond well but may need small tooth-colored attachments to grip them, and heavily restored teeth are evaluated case by case to protect the existing work. A consultation with Dr. Nordone or Dr. Oh will confirm whether your restorations affect your candidacy and how the plan should be adjusted.

Some patients notice a slight lisp during the first few days of wearing clear aligners, but it almost always fades within one to two weeks as your tongue adjusts to the trays. The lisp happens because the thin plastic changes how your tongue contacts the back of your front teeth when forming “s” and “th” sounds. Reading aloud for a few minutes each day, or simply talking through the adjustment period at home, speeds up the adaptation. If speech changes persist past two weeks or feel severe, mention it at your next visit, occasionally a tray needs a small adjustment or trimming to fit properly.

Call our office at 770-393-9450 as soon as possible so we can advise the next step, which is usually to move to your next tray early or continue wearing your previous tray to hold your progress until a replacement arrives. Never skip aligners entirely, because teeth can shift back within days and set your timeline back by weeks. Keep your previous set of trays until treatment ends specifically for this reason, they are your safety net if something happens to your current set. Replacement fees vary depending on your plan and how far along you are, so we’ll go over that when you call.

Plan on wearing a retainer indefinitely to keep your new smile from shifting back, that’s the honest answer most orthodontists give patients today. The typical protocol is full-time wear (about 22 hours per day) for the first three to six months after treatment, then transitioning to nights only long-term. Teeth naturally want to drift back toward their original positions, especially in the first year after treatment ends, and this shifting can happen at any age. Dr. Nordone or Dr. Oh will fit your retainer at the end of treatment and walk you through the exact wear schedule for your case.

Yes, teens can play sports with clear aligners, but they should remove the trays and wear a custom sports mouthguard during contact sports like football, lacrosse, hockey, and basketball. Aligners are not designed to absorb impact and can crack or cut the inside of the mouth if a ball, elbow, or stick hits the face. For non-contact activities like running, swimming, or tennis, the aligners can usually stay in without issue. Ask about our custom sports mouthguards in Dunwoody — they fit better than boil-and-bite versions from the store and protect both teeth and any existing orthodontic work.

Yes, our Dunwoody office is a short drive from Perimeter Center, and we open at 7:00 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays specifically so working professionals can be seen before the workday starts. Clear aligner check-ins after your initial consultation are typically brief, usually 20 to 30 minutes every six to eight weeks to pick up your next set of trays and confirm progress. Once you’re mid-treatment, many patients only need to come in a handful of times over the full course of care. Call 770-393-9450 or book an early appointment online to lock in a time that works around your schedule.

Dentistry With A Difference offers Invisalign and Six Month Smiles clear aligners at 5548 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338, serving patients throughout Dunwoody, Chamblee, Sandy Springs, and the greater Perimeter area. Dr. Albert Nordone and Dr. Hannah Oh provide consultations to determine which aligner system fits your case, timeline, and budget. Office hours are Monday and Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday and Wednesday 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Thursday 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Call 770-393-9450 or request an appointment online to schedule your clear aligner consultation.