Clear aligners straighten teeth with a series of removable, nearly invisible trays instead of brackets and wires. At Josh Johnson Orthodontics, orthodontist Dr. Josh Johnson treats Spokane Valley kids, teens and adults with Angel Aligners, a premium clear aligner system, from our Liberty Lake office on the Valley’s eastern edge and our Spokane office on the north side. This page explains how aligner treatment works, who it suits, what it costs to get started and how to tell whether you are a good candidate. To book a free consultation, call or text (509) 277-9773. No referral is needed.
How Clear Aligners Work
Each aligner is a thin, clear tray made from a digital model of your teeth. Every tray is shaped slightly differently from the one before it. As you move through the series, the trays apply gentle, steady pressure that shifts your teeth a small amount at a time toward the position planned at the start of treatment.
You wear each set of Angel Aligners for about one to two weeks before moving to the next. You take them out to eat, brush and floss, then put them back in. Because nothing is bonded to the teeth for the whole of treatment, there is no list of banned foods the way there is with brackets and wires.
Aligners only work while they are in your mouth. Most orthodontists ask patients to wear them for most of the day and night, taking them out only for meals and cleaning. Treatment stays on schedule when the trays are worn as directed, and it slows down when they spend too much time in the case.
Why Spokane Valley Patients Choose Angel Aligners at Our Office
A specialist plans every tooth movement
Dr. Johnson earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Washington in 2002 and a Master of Science in Orthodontics from the University of Michigan in 2005. He has been treating patients in the Spokane area since 2006, and our team has helped more than 20,000 patients. With aligners, the treatment plan does the heavy lifting, so it matters who designs it. An orthodontist decides which teeth move, in what order and how far, then checks that the bite fits together at the end, not just that the front teeth look straight.
Digital records instead of goopy impressions
We use an iTero scanner to capture a 3D model of your teeth, which is the starting point for your custom aligners. Dr. Johnson also uses 3D printing and DentalMonitoring in the practice, which helps keep treatment precise and visits efficient. Learn more about our technology.
Clear, comfortable and removable
Angel Aligners are made from smooth, high-quality material, so they are gentle on the gums and cheeks. They are close to invisible in photos, at work and in class. Because you can remove them, brushing and flossing stay as simple as they were before treatment.
What Clear Aligners Can Treat
Clear aligners are not only for small cosmetic tweaks. In the right patient they can correct a wide range of problems, including:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth, where there is not enough room for every tooth to sit in line.
- Gaps and spacing between teeth, including a gap between the front teeth.
- Bite problems such as overbites, underbites and crossbites.
- Relapse after earlier treatment, when teeth have drifted after braces because a retainer was not worn.
Some cases still move more predictably with brackets and wires. If that is true for you, Dr. Johnson will say so at your consultation and walk you through braces options, including clear braces. You will get a straight answer either way.
Clear Aligners for Every Age
Kids
For some younger children, aligners can guide how the teeth and jaws develop while baby and adult teeth are both present. Not every child is ready for them, and the timing depends on growth. See clear aligners for kids for how we decide.
Teens
Teens tend to like aligners because they are discreet and there are no brackets to break during sports. The trade-off is responsibility: aligners have to be worn and kept track of. Read more about clear aligners for teens.
Adults
Many of our aligner patients are adults who never had braces or whose teeth shifted over the years. Aligners fit around work, meetings and family life with no change to how you look day to day. See clear aligners for adults.
What Treatment Looks Like, Step by Step
- Free consultation. Dr. Johnson examines your teeth and bite, talks through your goals and tells you whether Angel Aligners are a good fit.
- Custom treatment plan. Using digital imaging, we map out how each tooth will move and what the finished result should look like.
- Your aligner series. You switch to a new set about every one to two weeks as your teeth move.
- Progress checks. Periodic visits to the office confirm that treatment is on track and let us adjust the plan if needed.
- Retainers. When your teeth reach their final position, a retainer keeps them there.
Clear Aligners vs. Braces: How to Decide
| Question | Clear aligners | Braces |
|---|---|---|
| How visible are they? | Nearly invisible | Visible, with clear options |
| Can you remove them? | Yes, for eating and cleaning | No, bonded for the full treatment |
| Food restrictions? | None while trays are out | Avoid hard and sticky foods |
| Who keeps treatment on track? | You, by wearing the trays as directed | The appliance works full time |
The right choice depends on your bite, your habits and how much you want to manage treatment yourself. Both are planned and supervised by the same orthodontist, and many patients find the decision becomes clear once they see their own scan.
Cost and Getting Started
The cost of clear aligner treatment depends on how much movement your teeth need and how long treatment takes, so we do not quote a single price before we have seen your smile. Your consultation is free and comes with a clear treatment plan and fee. From there, our team helps you choose a low monthly payment that fits your budget. You can try our payment calculator to get a feel for monthly options before you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does clear aligner treatment take?
It depends on how far your teeth need to move. Minor spacing can finish quickly, while crowding or bite correction takes longer. Dr. Johnson gives you an estimated timeline as part of your treatment plan at the free consultation.
Do clear aligners hurt?
Most patients feel pressure or mild soreness for a day or two after switching to a new set. That is a sign the aligners are working. The smooth material is designed not to rub the gums or cheeks.
Can I eat with aligners in?
No. Take them out to eat or drink anything other than water, then brush before putting them back in. That keeps food from being trapped against your teeth and keeps the trays clear.
Am I too old for clear aligners?
There is no upper age limit for moving teeth as long as the teeth and gums are healthy. Many of our aligner patients are adults.
Do I need a referral from my dentist?
No. You can book a free consultation directly. Keep seeing your general dentist for cleanings and checkups during treatment.
Start With a Free Consultation
If you live in Spokane Valley and want to know whether clear aligners can give you the smile you want, the first step costs nothing. Request your free consultation online or call or text (509) 277-9773, and Dr. Johnson will give you an honest recommendation and a clear plan.