01 Clear Aligners
✓ Medically reviewed by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, Periodontist & Implantologist
Clear aligners are a series of custom-made, removable transparent trays that gradually move teeth, worn in sequence over the course of treatment, with each new tray continuing where the last left off.
At Clarus Dental Specialities in Koregaon Park, clear aligner treatment is planned and monitored directly by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, Pune's only US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist.
Patients usually choose this for: mild to moderate crowding or spacing wanting a less visible option needing to remove the appliance for work or events adults returning for a touch-up
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Aligner cracked or lost? Emergency slots may be available the same day, subject to the clinic's schedule. Call to confirm.
Quick answer: Clear aligners are a series of custom-made, removable transparent trays worn in sequence, each one shifting teeth slightly before being replaced by the next in the series. They're best suited to mild to moderate crowding or spacing, and their success depends heavily on wearing them as prescribed. In Koregaon Park, Pune, clear aligner treatment is planned and monitored by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, a US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist.
Before You Book
But if you want treatment backed by science and done by a US Board Certified Specialist, you're in the right chair.
02 Overview
Clear aligner treatment begins with a digital scan or impression, used to plan the entire sequence of tooth movement upfront and manufacture a full series of custom trays. Each tray is worn for about one to two weeks before being swapped for the next, gradually guiding teeth toward the planned final position.
Unlike fixed braces, aligners are removable, taken out to eat, drink, and brush. Invisalign is one well-known specific clear aligner system, covered on its own page; this page covers clear aligner treatment generally.
Aligners suit mild to moderate crowding or spacing well. More significant bite corrections are often better addressed with fixed braces, which apply more direct control over complex tooth movements.
03 Candidacy
Aligner suitability depends on the type of correction needed and your ability to wear them as prescribed.
04 Background
Fixed braces work continuously, they're on your teeth applying pressure around the clock. Clear aligners only work while they're in your mouth, which is why the standard recommendation is roughly 20 to 22 hours of wear per day, removed mainly for eating, drinking, and brushing.
This is the central trade-off of aligners: the convenience of removability is also what makes results dependent on discipline in a way fixed braces aren't. Being honest about this upfront helps set realistic expectations, rather than discovering it partway through treatment.
05 Options
A few variations exist within clear aligner treatment, matched to case complexity.
A complete tray sequence addressing crowding or spacing across the arch, planned from the initial scan.
A specific, well-known clear aligner system, covered in more detail on its own page.
Small, tooth-coloured attachments bonded to specific teeth give trays extra grip for more precise movements.
06 Procedure
A digital scan or impression captures your current tooth positions to begin planning.
A projected sequence of tooth movement is reviewed with you before trays are manufactured.
The full set of trays for your treatment plan is custom-made based on the approved simulation.
Each tray is worn for about one to two weeks before moving to the next, with periodic check-in visits.
Additional refinement trays are made if needed, followed by a retainer to hold the final result.
07 Cost Factors
Cost depends on case complexity and the number of trays needed. It's discussed only after examination, once the following are known:
A specific estimate is only meaningful after a clinical evaluation. This section is informational and is not a quotation.
If you've been recommended one option elsewhere, Dr. Neel is available to review your case and give an honest comparison for your specific situation.
08 Aftercare
Mild pressure or snugness for the first day or two of a new tray is normal as teeth begin shifting.
Trays are removed to eat, drink anything but water, and brush, then worn for the remaining 20-22 hours.
Progress is reviewed regularly to confirm treatment is tracking as planned.
A retainer is worn to hold the final tooth positions in place.
09 Limits
Being upfront about the limits of aligner treatment matters:
10 Your Visit
The first appointment includes an examination and digital scan, followed by a discussion of whether aligners fit your specific case, alongside fixed braces as an alternative if relevant.
11 Why This Clinic
BDS (Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai) · Postgraduate periodontology training, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA · Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology (2008) · ITI Fellow, International Team for Implantology (2009)
Dr. Neel brings a periodontist's eye to aligner therapy: he is Pune's only US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist, and one of only two in India, so tray-driven tooth movement is checked against gum and bone health at every stage.
Aligners are recommended when they genuinely suit your case, not by default.
Moving teeth through healthy gum and bone tissue is confirmed before treatment starts.
Aligners, Invisalign, and every bracket type, under one roof.
The only dental clinic in Pune listed by the US Consulate Mumbai.
Patients can also read independent reviews on Google and Practo.
12 Visit Us
This dentist and dental clinic in Koregaon Park also treats patients from nearby areas of Pune. See the full Koregaon Park clinic page →
13 International Patients
Clarus Dental Specialities is the only dental clinic in Pune listed by the US Consulate Mumbai, and Dr. Neel holds a dual US-India dental license, giving NRI and overseas patients confidence in the standard of orthodontic care available here.
Since multiple trays can be provided in advance and worn independently between visits, aligner treatment is often easier to manage across trips than fixed braces, though periodic check-ins are still recommended to track progress.
14 FAQ
Typically 20 to 22 hours a day, removed mainly for eating, drinking anything but water, and brushing. Consistent wear is what keeps treatment on track.
For mild to moderate crowding or spacing, yes. For more complex bite corrections, fixed braces often provide more direct control and predictability.
It varies by case, generally shorter for milder corrections. A specific estimate is given after your initial scan and treatment simulation.
Invisalign is one specific, well-known brand of clear aligner. "Clear aligners" is the broader category, which includes Invisalign and other systems.
Aligners should be removed before eating or drinking anything other than water, to avoid staining or damaging the trays.
Mild pressure or snugness is common for the first day or two of each new tray, as teeth begin responding. This isn't typically described as painful.
Progress slows or stalls, and trays may stop fitting properly, sometimes requiring new impressions or an adjusted plan to get treatment back on track.
1. Clinical literature on clear aligner therapy and treatment outcomes, indexed on PubMed Central. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc
2. Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar's peer-reviewed publications, indexed on PubMed. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Call or WhatsApp the clinic directly to ask questions or set up an orthodontic consultation with Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar.
This page provides general dental information and does not constitute a diagnosis, treatment plan, or medical advice. Outcomes vary by individual case. No specific results, costs, or timelines are guaranteed. Please consult Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar or a qualified specialist for advice specific to your condition.
