Clear Aligners

Key Highlights

• Nearly invisible trays, digitally designed for your exact smile

• Removable for meals and brushing; keep your usual routine

• Worn 20–22 hours a day to stay on track with your plan

• Short check-ins to monitor progress and adjust aligners

• Great for mild to moderate spacing or crowding concerns

• Finished with retainers to maintain and protect your results

You notice it every time you smile: the little overlap, the crowding that wasn’t there before, or that one tooth that just won’t stay put. Maybe you had braces as a teen, or maybe your teeth have always been a little uneven. 

Clear aligners can help you fix those small things that quietly bother you, in a way that fits your everyday routine.

What Clear Aligners Can Address

Clear aligners work best for mild to moderate crowding or spacing. They can gently guide teeth into better alignment without brackets or wires. If you’ve had braces before and noticed some shifting since, aligners often help correct that kind of relapse without restarting full orthodontic treatment.

They can also improve certain bite issues (like slight overbites or crossbites) when planned carefully. Every case is different, though. The success of aligners depends on: 

• your specific tooth movements

• how consistently you wear them

• the overall health of your gums and bone

For more complex movements (significant rotations, large vertical changes, or extensive bite corrections), traditional braces may still be the better option. We’ll tell you if that’s the case. 

Dr. Freking’s goal is never to “sell” aligners but to recommend what truly fits your mouth, your lifestyle, and your long-term dental health.

Am I a Candidate?

You may be a good candidate for clear aligners if you have:

• Healthy teeth and gums

• Mild to moderate crowding or spacing

• Commitment to wearing aligners 20–22 hours per day

• Realistic expectations about treatment timelines

• Good oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits

• Adult or teen teeth that have fully developed (case-by-case)

Clear aligners are a discreet, removable alternative to braces. They’re best suited for adults and many teens who can commit to consistent wear. They only move your teeth while they’re in place, so routine and consistency make all the difference.

If your goals focus more on color or shape rather than alignment, we’ll talk through other options such as professional teeth whitening to brighten your smile or porcelain veneers to refine shape and proportion. These treatments can also complete your smile after aligner therapy.

At Park Slope Dentistry Seventh Avenue, Dr. Angelique Freking and her team focus on clarity and comfort. They’ll help you understand what’s possible, what’s practical, and what keeps your smile healthy long term without unnecessary treatment or pressure.

Think you might benefit from clear aligners? Schedule your orthodontic consultation!

How Clear Aligner Treatment Works Here in Brooklyn (Step by Step)

1) Complimentary consultation

Your first step is a free consult with one of our providers. You’ll talk about your goals, what bothers you most about your teeth, and how clear aligners could help. This visit also lets you ask any questions before deciding to move forward.

2) Comprehensive dental exam

If aligners are right for you, we start with a comprehensive dental exam to confirm gum health, check for decay, and make sure your mouth is ready for movement. Your plan at Park Slope Dentistry Seventh Avenue always begins with healthy foundations.

3) Digital 3D scan and planning

No messy impressions. We take a digital 3D scan of your upper and lower teeth, then create a personalized plan that maps every movement. This planning stage usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on complexity.

4) First trays and small tooth-colored attachments

You’ll be fitted with your first set of trays. If needed, small attachments are bonded to certain teeth for gentle leverage that helps turn, torque, or guide movement. They blend in naturally and are removed once treatment is finished.

We’ll also show you exactly how to insert, remove, and clean your trays so you feel comfortable from day one.

We work with Spark Aligners, a trusted Invisalign alternative known for its clear material and comfortable fit.

5) Daily rhythm

Wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours each day. Remove them for meals and brushing. You can drink water with trays in, but skip anything hot or colored to avoid staining or warping.

6) Check-ins and progress visits

You’ll return about 2 to 3 weeks after starting, so we can check your progress and give you your next set of trays. If everything looks good, future visits are spaced about every two months. 

These quick appointments keep your treatment on track and let us fine-tune movement as needed.

7) Retainers to hold results

Once your teeth are aligned, retainers help keep them perfectly in place. We custom-make them to fit your smile comfortably and ensure your results last for years to come.

Most retainers are fabricated by our trusted dental lab for the best precision and durability. When fast turnaround is needed, we can also make retainers in-house by 3D-printing a model and shaping the retainer with thermoplastic, the same process aligner companies use.

Your new smile deserves to last, and retainers are the key to maintaining it.

What to Expect Day-to-Day

Wearing clear aligners becomes part of your daily rhythm within a few days. Most patients say it feels natural once they get into the habit.

You’ll want to:

• Take trays out for eating and for any drink besides water

• Brush and floss before putting them back in

• Rinse or clean aligners with cool water and mild cleaning methods

• Keep trays stored in their case whenever they’re not in your mouth

A little pressure or discomfort is normal when switching to a new set of aligners. It usually fades within a day or two as your teeth adjust.

By the second week, cleaning and switching trays will feel like second nature. And you’ll start noticing small but satisfying changes every time you smile.

Why Park Slope Dentistry Seventh Avenue for Aligners

Every aligner case here is planned and overseen by Dr. Angelique Freking or Dr. Alisa Neymark, who both have advanced experience in adult orthodontics and clear aligner therapy. You’ll always see a doctor familiar with your case, not a rotating provider.

We use digital 3D scans, so you never have to deal with sticky impressions. Our digital workflow lets us plan movements precisely and make small refinements as treatment progresses.

Your retainers are custom-made to fit comfortably and keep your smile stable. Most are fabricated by our trusted dental lab, though we can also produce them in-house when a quick turnaround is needed.

You’ll also get clear guidance, realistic timelines, and ongoing follow-through from a local Park Slope team that knows you by name and stays involved from your first tray to your last.

Start Your Smile Journey in Brooklyn

If you’ve been thinking about aligners, a quick conversation can help you find out what’s possible for your smile.

You can book your appointment online anytime, or give us a call at 718-866-4645 to schedule your visit.

We’ll walk you through every step, answer your questions, and make sure you know exactly what to expect before you begin.

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