Adult orthodontics has quietly become one of dentistry's biggest success stories. Clear aligner therapy — a series of transparent trays that nudge teeth into place — now handles cases that once required two years of metal braces, in about seven months on average at Lumina.
The innovation isn't just cosmetic. Because aligners are removable, hygiene stays simple — no brackets trapping plaque — and because tooth movement is simulated in software first, your orthodontist knows the endpoint before tray one is printed.
What the process feels like
After a 3D scan, you watch a time-lapse of your own teeth straightening on screen. If you approve, trays arrive in two weeks. You wear each set 22 hours a day, swapping to the next every 7–10 days. Most patients describe pressure for a day after each change — annoying, not painful — and check-ins happen every 6–8 weeks.
Who it's right for
Aligners excel at crowding, spacing and mild bite issues. Severe rotations or skeletal discrepancies may still need fixed braces or surgical support — a good clinic tells you that upfront rather than selling trays that can't finish the job. At Lumina, roughly one consultation in five ends with a recommendation other than aligners.
The outcome data
Across our last 400 completed cases, 94% finished within the predicted tray count, and refinement (extra trays) averaged just 6 weeks. Retention — a discreet wire or nightly retainer — is what protects the result for decades, and it's included in every quote.
Thinking about straightening? A consultation with a 3D preview costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
