Invisalign® and Clear Aligners in Penrith

Clear Aligner Treatment for Teenagers and Adults

Clear aligners offer a less noticeable and removable way to straighten teeth without fixed braces. At Best Western Dental Centre in Cambridge Park, Penrith, we provide personalised clear-aligner treatment for suitable teenagers and adults.

Our practice offers both Angel Aligner and Invisalign® treatment. Dr Nathan Le regularly uses Angel Aligner for suitable cases, while Invisalign remains one of the most widely recognised clear-aligner systems.

The most appropriate system is selected according to your teeth, bite, treatment needs and individual circumstances—not simply according to the brand name.

Request an Orthodontic Consultation

What Are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are a series of thin, removable appliances made to fit over your teeth. Each aligner is designed to apply controlled pressure and gradually move selected teeth towards their planned positions.

You progress through a prescribed sequence of aligners, changing them according to Dr Nathan’s instructions. Regular review appointments allow us to monitor your progress and make changes where required.

Clear aligners are removable, but successful treatment depends on wearing them consistently.

Angel Aligner and Invisalign

Both Angel Aligner and Invisalign use customised digital treatment planning and a sequence of clear aligners to move the teeth.

Angel Aligner

Angel Aligner is a clear-aligner system that Dr Nathan regularly uses at Best Western Dental Centre. It provides a range of treatment-planning options for suitable orthodontic cases.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a well-established and widely recognised clear-aligner system. Invisalign aligners are individually manufactured according to a digitally planned sequence of tooth movements.

Neither system is automatically the best choice for every patient. Dr Nathan will recommend an appropriate option based on your clinical assessment and proposed treatment plan.

What Can Clear Aligners Treat?

Depending on the individual case, clear aligners may be used to manage:

• Mild to moderate dental crowding
• Gaps between teeth
• Rotated or unevenly positioned teeth
• Teeth that have moved after previous orthodontic treatment
• Some deep bites
• Some open bites
• Some crossbites
• Selected overbite or overjet concerns
• Other suitable bite and alignment problems

Clear aligners are not suitable for every orthodontic problem. Some tooth movements and more complex bite corrections may be treated more predictably with braces or a combination of orthodontic techniques.

Benefits of Clear Aligners

Patients may choose clear aligners because they are:

• Less noticeable than conventional fixed braces
• Removable for eating and drinking
• Removable for brushing and flossing
• Smooth and generally comfortable to wear
• Suitable for many work, school and social situations
• Individually planned for each patient

Because the aligners can be removed, there are fewer food restrictions than with fixed braces. However, they should only be removed for eating, drinking anything other than plain water, cleaning your teeth and other specifically approved occasions.

Your Commitment to Wearing Aligners

Clear-aligner treatment requires consistent cooperation.

Most patients are instructed to wear their aligners for approximately 20–22 hours each day, but you should follow the individual instructions provided by Dr Nathan.

Leaving aligners out for extended periods may:

• Delay tooth movement
• Cause the next aligner not to fit correctly
• Increase the need for additional aligners
• Extend the overall treatment time
• Compromise the planned result

Teenagers considering aligners must be willing and able to wear them consistently, keep them clean and avoid losing them.

Attachments, Elastics and Tooth Reshaping

Clear-aligner treatment does not always involve aligners alone.

Small tooth-coloured attachments may be bonded to selected teeth to help the aligners grip and produce particular movements. These attachments may be visible at close range.

Some patients may also require:

• Orthodontic elastics
• Tooth-coloured buttons or other small attachments
• Limited reshaping between selected teeth, known as interproximal reduction
• Additional aligners or refinements
• Other orthodontic appliances where clinically indicated

Any additional procedures will be explained as part of your treatment plan.

Our Approach to Creating Space

Dr Nathan generally prefers a non-extraction approach whenever it is clinically appropriate.

Depending on the individual patient, space may be created through planned tooth movement, suitable dental-arch development or expansion, or limited reshaping between selected teeth.

Although extractions are rarely required in Dr Nathan’s orthodontic treatment, they cannot always be avoided. They may still be recommended when necessary for a safe, balanced and stable result.

The proposed approach, alternatives and limitations will be discussed before treatment begins.

Are Clear Aligners Better Than Braces?

Clear aligners and braces can both straighten teeth, but neither option is universally better.

Clear aligners are removable and less noticeable, but their success depends heavily on consistent wear. Braces remain attached to the teeth and may provide more predictable control for certain complex tooth movements or bite corrections.

Your suitability will depend on:

• The position of your teeth
• The relationship between your upper and lower teeth
• The complexity of the required movements
• Your age and stage of dental development
• Your oral health
• Your ability to wear aligners consistently
• Your treatment goals and lifestyle

Dr Nathan will discuss the advantages and limitations of each option. You can also visit our Braces versus Clear Aligners page for a more detailed comparison.

What Does Clear-Aligner Treatment Involve?

1. Initial Consultation

Your initial consultation allows us to discuss your concerns and assess your teeth, bite and facial profile.

One complimentary orthodontic consultation is available per patient. A suitable OPG taken within the previous six months is required. If you do not already have one, an OPG can be arranged at our practice for $130.

2. Orthodontic Records

If you would like to proceed, detailed records may include:

• A digital scan of your teeth
• Clinical photographs
• Relevant radiographs
• Bite and facial assessment
• Additional orthodontic measurements and analysis where required

3. Digital Treatment Planning

Your records are used to develop a proposed sequence of tooth movements.

A digital simulation may help explain the treatment plan, but it is a planning tool rather than a guarantee of the final result. Actual tooth movement and treatment progress may differ from the simulation.

4. Receiving Your Aligners

When your aligners are ready, we will check their fit and explain:

• How to insert and remove them
• How long to wear each aligner
• When to change to the next aligner
• How to clean and store them
• When to attend your review appointments

Attachments or elastics may also be fitted at this stage or later in treatment.

5. Regular Reviews

Regular appointments allow Dr Nathan to assess whether the teeth are moving as planned.

If the aligners are not fitting correctly or additional tooth movement is needed, a new scan and further aligners—often called refinements—may be recommended.

The need for refinements does not necessarily mean that treatment has failed. They are sometimes required to improve the fit of the aligners or complete the planned movements.

6. Retainers

After active treatment, retainers are required to help maintain the new tooth positions.

Teeth naturally tend to move over time, so long-term retainer wear is an important part of protecting your result.

Looking After Your Aligners

To keep your aligners clean and reduce the risk of tooth decay:

• Remove them before eating
• Remove them before drinking anything other than plain water
• Brush your teeth before reinserting them whenever practical
• Clean the aligners according to the instructions provided
• Do not use very hot water, as this may distort them
• Store them in their case when they are not being worn
• Keep them away from pets
• Do not wrap them in tissues, as they may be accidentally discarded

Contact us if an aligner is lost, cracked, distorted or no longer fits correctly. Do not move to another aligner unless instructed.

Continue attending regular dental check-ups and cleans throughout treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Hours Each Day Must I Wear My Aligners?

Most patients are instructed to wear aligners for approximately 20–22 hours each day. Follow the wearing schedule provided for your individual treatment.

Can I Eat While Wearing Aligners?

No. Remove your aligners before eating. They should also be removed before drinking anything other than plain water.

Are Clear Aligners Invisible?

They are less noticeable than fixed braces, but they are not completely invisible. Tooth-coloured attachments or orthodontic elastics may also be visible.

Are Clear Aligners Painful?

You may experience temporary pressure or tenderness when beginning a new aligner. This usually settles as your teeth adapt.

How Long Does Clear-Aligner Treatment Take?

Treatment time varies according to the complexity of the required movements, aligner wear, biological response and whether refinements are needed. An estimated duration will be provided after assessment and treatment planning, but exact treatment times cannot be guaranteed.

How Much Do Clear Aligners Cost?

Fees depend on the complexity and expected length of treatment, the aligner system used and the number of aligners required. Your recommended treatment, fees and payment arrangements will be explained in your individual treatment plan.

Will I Need Retainers?

Yes. Retainers are required after clear-aligner treatment to help maintain the new tooth positions.

Examples of Clear-Aligner Treatment Results

These photographs show actual patients treated at our practice with clear aligners. Orthodontic needs, treatment experiences and outcomes vary between patients, and similar results cannot be guaranteed.

[Insert 6–8 selected clear-aligner before-and-after cases here]

Request an Orthodontic Consultation

If you are considering Invisalign or another clear-aligner system, request an orthodontic consultation at Best Western Dental Centre in Cambridge Park, Penrith.

Dr Nathan will assess your teeth and bite and discuss whether Angel Aligner, Invisalign, braces or another treatment approach may be suitable for you.

Request an Orthodontic Consultation

Page reviewed by Dr Nathan Le, BDS (University of Sydney), August 2026.