The idea of spending a year or more wearing metal brackets and wires is enough to put most adults off orthodontic treatment entirely. Clear aligner therapy changes that equation. These custom-fabricated, nearly invisible trays shift your teeth gradually into proper position without the restrictions or discomfort of traditional braces — and they fit into your daily life far more naturally. Whether you are dealing with crowding, spacing, or mild to moderate misalignment that has bothered you for years, there is likely a clear aligner solution that can help.
At Sonoran Dental Studio in Buckeye, Arizona, Dr. Francisco Mascarenas provides clear aligner therapy in Buckeye as part of our broader commitment to cosmetic and comprehensive dental care. Dr. Mascarenas takes a consultative, patient-centered approach to every orthodontic case, ensuring your treatment plan is built around your specific bite, your goals, and your lifestyle. We offer Invisalign, SureSmile, and Candid so we can match the right system to your individual situation.
Clear aligner therapy uses a series of custom-fabricated, thermoplastic trays worn sequentially to gradually shift your teeth toward their ideal positions. Each tray is designed to move your teeth a small, controlled amount before you progress to the next in the series, following a treatment plan mapped from precise digital scans of your current bite. The trays are worn 20 to 22 hours per day and exchanged approximately every two weeks, with periodic check-ins at our Buckeye office to monitor your progress and keep treatment on track.
Goodbye to the tray of thick, goopy impression material. We use precise digital scanning to capture the exact shape of your teeth and bite, which feeds directly into the custom fabrication of your aligner trays. The process is faster, more comfortable, and more accurate than traditional impressions — meaning your aligners fit better from the very first tray. Digital scans also let Dr. Mascarenas map out your entire treatment trajectory in advance so you can see a projection of your final result before treatment even begins.
There are no limitations to eating your favorite foods during clear aligner therapy.
Invisalign uses a patented SmartTrack thermoplastic material engineered specifically for clear aligner therapy. It is the most widely recognized aligner system in the world, with a long clinical track record and the ability to treat a wide range of cases from mild crowding to more complex bite issues. Invisalign’s proprietary material applies consistent, controlled force and tends to offer an exceptionally comfortable fit throughout treatment.
Clear aligners are custom-made to fit your teeth without the need for brackets or wires, resulting in a comfortable fit that's tailored to your smile.
Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners are removable, making it easy to eat and drink what you want and keep up with your oral hygiene routine.
Clear aligner therapy can align your smile in less time than traditional braces, allowing you to achieve your desired results faster.
Once you’ve achieved your perfect smile alignment, we’ll help you maintain those results for life with custom-fitted retainers. These comfortable appliances are designed to keep your teeth in their ideal positions and prevent unwanted shifting.
Take the first step toward your dream smile with our special clear aligner offer. For a limited time, receive $1,200 off your complete clear aligner treatment, making your journey to straighter teeth more affordable than ever. This comprehensive treatment includes at-home progress tracking through teledentistry, custom aligners, expert monitoring, and refinements if needed—everything you need for a confident new smile.
An aesthetically pleasing alternative to braces, teens and adults can benefit from SureSmile’s nearly invisible look and durable quality. Custom-crafted with industry-leading dental plastics, SureSmile aligners offer variable trimlines for optimal comfort and movement.
Candid aligners are made from medical-grade thermoplastic, and are significantly thinner than the alternatives, making them less visible. Candid is a great, affordable option for patients with mild misalignments.
During your initial consultation, we'll determine if clear aligner therapy is right for you. We'll assess your oral health, looking for any signs of gaps or crowding, and ensure your gums are healthy enough for treatment. Together, we'll discuss your smile goals and craft a treatment plan that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Next, we'll take precise impressions of your teeth and bite, either using state-of-the-art digital imaging technology or traditional molds. Once the impressions are complete, they'll be carefully reviewed for accuracy. Any necessary adjustments will be made before sending them to our trusted dental lab, where skilled orthodontic technicians create a plan. Once accepted, they will create your first few sets of aligners designed to fit perfectly and gently move your teeth into the desired position.
When your clear aligners arrive, you’ll come back to our office so we can ensure they fit correctly and make any needed adjustments. We’ll give you detailed guidance on how to wear and care for your aligners. Typically, each set is worn for about 2 weeks, for 20-22 hours each day. You'll visit us approximately every 6 weeks to receive your next sets of aligners and allow us to monitor your progress, ensuring your smile transformation is on track.
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Clear Aligner Therapy
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Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Clear aligners use a sequential series of custom-fitted trays to move your teeth gradually toward their target positions. Each tray is slightly different from the one before it, applying a precise, controlled amount of force to specific teeth. You wear each tray for approximately two weeks before advancing to the next set, and the total number of trays depends on the complexity of your case. The removable nature of the trays means you eat, brush, and floss completely normally — the aligners simply come out when you need them to.
Yes — clear aligners are made from BPA-free, medical-grade thermoplastic materials that have been extensively tested for safety and long-term biocompatibility. The material is smooth against your gum tissue and cheeks, unlike traditional braces which can cause irritation from brackets and wires. Clear aligners have been used successfully by millions of patients worldwide, and both Invisalign and SureSmile use proprietary plastics with established safety records. Any mild soreness during the first day or two of a new tray is normal — it is simply the aligner applying pressure to shift your teeth.
Treatment timelines for clear aligners vary considerably depending on your specific case. Mild crowding or spacing issues may resolve in as few as six months, while more involved cases can take twelve to eighteen months or longer. Because all of your teeth are being repositioned simultaneously rather than individually, clear aligner treatment is often faster than traditional braces for comparable cases — though this is not universal. Dr. Mascarenas will give you a realistic timeline projection during your consultation based on your digital scans and the extent of movement your bite requires.
Both clear aligners and traditional braces move teeth using controlled, sustained force — but they differ significantly in how that force is applied and how treatment affects your daily life. Clear aligners are removable, nearly invisible, and allow you to eat and clean your teeth normally. Traditional braces are bonded permanently until treatment is complete, restrict certain foods, and require more involved cleaning routines. Braces may be better suited for very complex bite corrections or cases requiring more precise control over individual tooth movement — which Dr. Mascarenas will assess during your consultation and recommend honestly. For most adults and teens with mild to moderate misalignment, clear aligners produce comparable results with significantly less lifestyle disruption.
Clear aligner cost varies based on the aligner brand, the complexity of your case, and your insurance coverage. We will provide a personalized cost estimate during your consultation once we have assessed your specific needs. We are in-network with most PPO plans, and financing through CareCredit and Cherry — including 0% options — is available to make treatment accessible. Our in-house membership plan also offers up to 25% off additional treatments for patients without traditional dental coverage.
