Oct 15, 2026
What's Included in Your Clear Aligner Treatment: Retainers, Refinements and What Happens if Your Teeth Shift Later
When you are weighing up clear aligners, the quoted price is only half the story. The real question is what that price actually buys you - from the first scan to the day your smile is finished, and every bit of support in between.
At Smile Clinics in Campbell, every Invisalign® and clear aligner plan is designed and overseen by Principal Specialist Orthodontist Dr Spiro Pazios. This guide breaks down exactly what is included in your treatment, what refinements are and when they happen, and what we do if your teeth try to shift after you finish - so you know what you are getting before you commit.
What's included in your clear aligner treatment
Clear aligner treatment at Smile Clinics is a complete, start to finish package rather than a tray handed over at the door. Inclusions typically cover the following.
- Specialist planning by Dr Spiro Pazios. Your tooth movements are mapped and supervised by a Specialist Orthodontist, not a remote algorithm.
- Records, photos and x-rays as required. We take the diagnostic records needed to plan safely and accurately.
- iTero® 3D scanning. A fast, comfortable digital scan replaces messy impressions and builds a precise model of your teeth.
- A 3D smile simulation. You preview a likely outcome before treatment begins, so you can see where your smile is heading.
- Dental Monitoring®. Weekly scans from your phone let our team track progress remotely and call you in only when an in-person visit is genuinely useful.
- Retainers at the end. Your result is protected with retainers once active treatment is complete.
Interest-free payment plans with realistic deposits are available, with no hidden fees. For a full breakdown of pricing and the different pathways, see our costs page.
What are refinements, and are they included?
Teeth are biological, not mechanical, so they do not always move at exactly the same pace or along exactly the same path the plan predicted. Refinements are a normal, built-in part of aligner treatment that let us fine tune the final result.
Near the end of your planned aligners, Dr Spiro Pazios reviews how your teeth have responded - often using your latest iTero® scan and your Dental Monitoring® history. If a few details could be improved, such as a small rotation, a contact point or final levelling, we take fresh scans and produce an extra short series of aligners to perfect those movements.
Refinements are worth understanding for three reasons.
- They are common and expected, not a sign anything went wrong.
- They are the step that takes a good result to a polished one.
- Wearing your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day and keeping up your weekly scans reduces how many refinement aligners you are likely to need.
We will explain how refinements fit into your plan and pricing at your assessment so there are no surprises later.
What happens if your teeth shift after treatment?
Finishing your aligners is a milestone, but teeth naturally want to settle after they move. The surrounding gum fibres and bone remodel slowly and can nudge teeth back toward their old positions, especially in the first 6 to 12 months. This is why retention is part of the plan rather than an afterthought.
At your finish appointment we take fresh iTero® 3D scans. These create an exact snapshot of your final alignment, which we use for accurate retainer fabrication and for future comparison. With Dental Monitoring®, we can spot early changes before you would notice them, and message you if something needs attention.
If you do notice a retainer feeling tight, small gaps returning or a change in how your teeth bite together, the key is to act early. A quick review lets us assess what has happened and discuss options, which may include a new retainer or a short aligner refinement if movement has occurred. For a deeper look at retention, read our guide to retainers after braces or Invisalign®.
Retainers and aftercare: the support that comes after
Your included retainers are only the start of aftercare. Keeping your smile straight for the long term is about a simple, consistent routine backed by specialist oversight.
- A clear wear plan. Expect full-time retainer wear for the first few months, then night-time wear long term, all guided by your Specialist Orthodontist.
- Dental Monitoring® check-ins. Remote scans mean we can keep an eye on stability without constant trips to the clinic.
- Retention reviews. We schedule checks to confirm stability and update your records when needed.
- Replacement support. If a retainer is lost or broken, we assess fit against your latest iTero® scan and organise a replacement, with transparent, interest-free payment options.
Flexible appointment access for busy Canberra lives
A big part of what you get at Smile Clinics is convenience with specialist care, not one at the expense of the other. Because Dental Monitoring® handles routine progress checks remotely, you come in for appointments that genuinely add value rather than box-ticking visits.
Prefer an after-work or Saturday spot? We will do our best to find a time that suits you, and your free assessment can happen in-clinic in Campbell or by video. If something feels off between appointments, you can message us through the Dental Monitoring® app for quick guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Are retainers included in my aligner treatment?
Yes. Inclusions typically cover retainers at the end of active treatment, alongside specialist planning, iTero® scanning, a 3D smile simulation and Dental Monitoring®. We confirm exactly what your plan includes at your assessment.
What exactly is a refinement?
A refinement is a short, extra series of aligners used near the end of treatment to perfect small details, such as a minor rotation or final levelling. It is a normal, expected part of aligner treatment.
What happens if my teeth move back after treatment?
Act early. Put your retainer back in, and if it feels tight or will not seat fully, book a quick review. We assess what has happened and discuss options, which may include a new retainer or a short aligner refinement.
Will I have to keep coming in for appointments?
Fewer than you might expect. Dental Monitoring® lets our team track your progress from your weekly phone scans, so we call you in only when an in-person visit is genuinely useful.
How do I know what my treatment will cost?
You will get a clear quote at your free assessment, with transparent inclusions and no hidden fees. You can also compare pathways and pricing on our costs page.
See exactly what your plan includes
The best way to understand what is included for your smile is a free assessment with our team. You will get a 3D smile simulation, transparent pricing, a clear view of inclusions like scanning, monitoring and retainers, and interest-free options to pay over time.
Ready to start? Book a free assessment in Campbell or by video, explore Invisalign® in Canberra, or compare your options with braces in Canberra if fixed appliances better match your goals.
