Eric Heim Dental offers clear aligner orthodontics for adults and teens who want to straighten their teeth without the brackets and wires of traditional braces. Using a series of custom-fabricated, removable aligners, Dr. Heim gradually shifts teeth into their prescribed positions over a treatment timeline that typically ranges from 6 to 18 months depending on case complexity. Because the aligners are removable, patients maintain their normal diet and oral hygiene routine throughout treatment — a significant clinical advantage over fixed appliances. Digital scanning technology allows Dr. Heim to map your tooth movement and show you a projected outcome before you commit to a single aligner.
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Most adults with mild to moderate crowding, spacing, or bite issues are excellent candidates for clear aligner therapy. Dr. Heim will take digital scans and review your bite, bone levels, and gum health to confirm suitability — patients with severe skeletal discrepancies or significant bone loss may require a different orthodontic approach.
Clear aligners must be worn for 20–22 hours per day to achieve the tooth movement planned in your treatment timeline. They are removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene. Wearing them for fewer hours per day is the single most common reason treatment takes longer than projected.
Yes — retention is a permanent phase of orthodontic treatment, regardless of the appliance used. After your final aligner, Dr. Heim will fit you with a custom retainer to hold your teeth in their new positions. Without retention, teeth naturally drift back toward their original alignment over months to years.