Straightening teeth with removable aligners
ONCE treatment uses a sequence of custom-made transparent aligners to move teeth in small planned steps. The system is produced by a Polish laboratory in Wrocław. At ProDent in Nysa, your clinician assesses the bite and prepares a treatment plan before deciding whether aligners are suitable.
Aligners are discreet and can be removed for meals and cleaning. They still require commitment: leaving them out for too long can interrupt treatment. Fixed braces or another approach may be more appropriate for some movements and jaw problems.
What can aligners help with?
Depending on the case, aligners may be considered for crowding, gaps, rotations, tooth inclinations, midline discrepancies and selected mild bite problems. A digital scan and other diagnostic records help assess the possibilities and limitations.
| Concern | What needs assessing |
|---|---|
| Crowded teeth | Available space and the movements needed |
| Gaps | Their cause, size and the position of the surrounding teeth |
| Rotated or tilted teeth | The amount and type of movement required |
| Midline or bite concerns | Tooth positions, jaw relationships and suitability for aligner correction |
| Movement after previous orthodontics | The current bite and a plan for treatment and retention |
A three-dimensional simulation illustrates the planned changes. It is a planning tool, not a guarantee that the teeth will move exactly as shown.
ONCE treatment packages
| Package | Planned aligner allocation |
|---|---|
| ONCE 10 | Up to 10 aligners per arch |
| ONCE 15 | Up to 15 aligners per arch |
| ONCE 20 | Up to 20 aligners per arch |
| ONCE FULL | More than 20 aligners per arch |
| ONCE ADAPT | An unlimited-aligner option within the agreed treatment terms |
The clinician selects the appropriate scope from your diagnosis. Package names do not determine how long treatment will take, and an unlimited-aligner option is subject to the agreed plan and conditions. Confirm what reviews, refinements and retainers are included in your estimate.
How treatment works
- Consultation and records: assessment, a digital scan and any necessary imaging.
- Digital planning: the proposed movements are planned in stages.
- Plan discussion: we explain the expected changes, limitations, package and cost.
- Manufacture and fitting: the laboratory makes your aligners and we check the initial fit.
- Daily wear: you follow the prescribed schedule and move through the sequence as instructed.
- Review appointments: we check progress and decide whether adjustments or additional aligners are needed.
- Retention: retainers help maintain the new tooth positions after active treatment.
Small tooth-coloured attachments may be bonded to selected teeth to help the aligners grip and control movement. Elastics or additional techniques may also be needed. Removable aligners do not necessarily mean treatment without attachments.
Wearing and caring for your aligners
Aligners are generally worn for 20–22 hours a day, according to your clinician’s instructions. Remove them for food and drinks other than water, and for tooth cleaning. Many plans use a change interval of 7–10 days, but do not advance to the next set unless this matches your instructions.
Keep both teeth and aligners clean and store the aligners safely when removed. Pressure or temporary soreness can occur with a new set. Contact the clinic if an aligner is lost, damaged, no longer fits or causes significant discomfort. Do not improvise a new sequence yourself.
Benefits and limitations
The appearance and removability suit many adults, including some people whose teeth have moved after earlier orthodontic care. Being able to remove the aligners makes tooth cleaning easier, but only consistent wear allows treatment to progress as planned.
Some cases require fixed appliances, combined treatment or specialist referral. Refinement aligners may be needed when actual movement differs from the plan. As with other orthodontics, retainers and ongoing care matter after treatment ends.
Common questions
Can I eat with aligners in?
Remove them for meals and follow the cleaning instructions before putting them back. Drinks other than water can stain aligners or expose the teeth to sugar and acids beneath them.
Will anyone notice them?
They are transparent, but not invisible. Attachments and elastics, if needed, can also be visible.
Are aligners suitable for every bite problem?
No. Suitability depends on the diagnosis and required movements. The clinician will explain alternatives where aligners would be unsuitable or less predictable.
What happens after the last aligner?
The clinician checks the result and whether further adjustments are needed. You then follow a retention plan to help prevent the teeth moving again.
See orthodontic prices, explore other orthodontic options or book a consultation.
