Jan 26, 2026

Top 6 Myths About Clear Aligners, Busted! What You Really Need to Know

Thinking about straightening your teeth but stuck on the fence because of something you heard on TikTok or from a friend of a friend? You are not alone. Clear aligners, including Invisalign®, Spark and Angel Aligners, attract plenty of buzz and a fair few myths.

As a specialist-led clinic in Canberra, we hear these questions every day. Our Specialist Orthodontists are here to give you clear, practical answers so you can make a confident choice for your smile.

Below, we bust the six biggest myths about clear aligners, covering comfort, speed, lifestyle, effectiveness, eligibility and costs. Consider this your pocket guide to what really matters.

Myth 1: Clear Aligners Are Painful

Short answer: mostly no. Expect pressure, not pain.

What you will feel

A gentle, temporary pressure when you switch to a new set of aligners. Most people describe 24 to 72 hours of mild tenderness that eases quickly. Over-the-counter pain relief is rarely needed.

Why it happens

Each tray is designed to make small, controlled movements. That initial snug feeling is a sign the aligner is doing its job.

What helps

Switch to new trays at night, use chewies to seat aligners fully, and follow your wear schedule. If anything feels sharp or unusually uncomfortable, your specialist can review the fit or smooth edges.

Compared with braces, many patients report less day-to-day irritation because there are no brackets or wires rubbing cheeks and lips.

Myth 2: Aligners Are Always Faster Than Braces

Sometimes aligners are faster. Sometimes braces win. It depends on your case.

Mild crowding or spacing

Clear aligners often deliver efficient results, especially with consistent wear.

Rotations, bite corrections or complex movements

Braces can be more efficient for certain tooth movements.

Your habits matter

Aligners rely on 20 to 22 hours of wear per day. If wear time slips, treatment can take longer.

With specialist planning and the right case selection, aligners progress at a healthy pace. At Smile Clinics, we also use remote monitoring to keep treatment on track and avoid unnecessary delays.

Myth 3: Aligners Are Less Effective Than Braces

Not true when the case is well selected and specialist planned.

Clear aligners are highly effective for crowding, spacing, selected crossbites, open bites and many bite refinements. Attachments, precision cuts and elastics help guide complex movements.

Traditional braces remain the gold standard for some high-difficulty cases or movements that require specific biomechanics. Sometimes the best result comes from combining approaches, such as braces followed by aligners.

The key is matching the right tool to the job. Your Specialist Orthodontist will recommend aligners or braces based on what achieves the best long-term outcome.

Myth 4: Anyone Can Get Aligners With No Prerequisites

Clear aligners suit many people, but a proper assessment is essential.

Healthy teeth and gums

Any decay or gum disease must be treated first.

Compliance

Aligners only work if you wear and care for them as directed.

Case type

Severe skeletal discrepancies, surgical cases or significant crowding that needs extractions may be better suited to braces or combined care.

Age considerations

Teens and adults can be great candidates. For some under 18s, braces may be the more predictable option.

We plan treatment using iTero 3D scans, photos and X-rays. In some cases, interproximal reduction, a gentle polishing between teeth, helps create space and avoid extractions.

Myth 5: Aligners Will Disrupt Your Lifestyle

Most patients find aligners surprisingly low impact.

Eating and drinking

Remove trays to eat. Enjoy your usual foods, brush, then pop aligners back in.

Cleaning

Rinse aligners when you remove them and brush after meals. A simple daily clean keeps trays clear and fresh.

Work, school and sport

Aligners are discreet in meetings and photos. For contact sports, remove aligners and wear a mouthguard. Always store trays in their case.

Appointments

With remote monitoring, you submit guided photos via your phone. We review progress and only schedule in-person visits when needed.

Many patients say people do not notice they are wearing aligners unless they mention it.

Myth 6: Aligners Always Cost More Than Braces

Not necessarily. Cost depends on complexity, duration and the appliance that best suits your case.

At Smile Clinics, we provide transparent pricing for aligners and braces, with interest-free payment plans to spread the cost. Shorter or mild aligner cases often fall into lower price tiers. More complex aligner plans can be similar to, or sometimes higher than, braces. Braces pricing also varies based on materials and complexity.

Your quote should include specialist planning, records, monitoring, refinements if needed and retainers. Always compare full packages, not just the headline figure.

What To Expect With Invisalign®, Spark Or Angel Aligners

Regardless of brand, the essentials are similar:

Personalised planning

Your Specialist Orthodontist designs a staged plan for tooth movement and bite goals, reviewing a digital setup for accuracy.

Attachments and elastics

Small, tooth-coloured attachments and elastics may be used to guide movement.

Wear schedule

Most patients change trays weekly or fortnightly, wearing aligners 20 to 22 hours per day.

Refinements

Additional aligners are common for fine-tuning and are included in many plans.

Retainers

After treatment, retainers hold your new smile while bone and gums stabilise.

How To Choose Between Aligners And Braces

Ask yourself:

• What are my goals - mild crowding or significant bite correction?
• How disciplined am I with daily wear?
• What timeline has my orthodontist recommended?
• What fits my lifestyle and work or school commitments?
• What is my budget, and what payment plans are available?

Your Specialist Orthodontist will guide you through these points so you can choose confidently.

The Bottom Line

• Aligners are typically comfortable, with short-lived pressure when trays change.
• Speed depends on your case and wear time, not the appliance alone.
• Effectiveness is high for the right cases with specialist planning.
• Eligibility requires healthy teeth, gums and good compliance.
• Lifestyle impact is low for most patients.
• Costs vary by complexity, with transparent quotes and payment plans available.

If you want clarity without guesswork, book a no-obligation consultation with Smile Clinics in Campbell. You will receive a friendly, specialist-led assessment, a clear treatment plan and straightforward pricing so you can choose the option that fits your smile, schedule and budget.