FAQ's

Aligners Impressions treatment Whitening

SmilesAlliance clear aligners

How do clear aligners work?

Clear aligners, like other types of teeth straightening methods, work by gradually shifting teeth into the ideal position. This is achieved through wearing a series of aligners, each for 2 weeks at a time, which apply carefully calculated pressure to each tooth to move them up to 0.3mm per aligner until the ideal alignment has been reached.

How often do I wear my clear aligners?

Wearing the aligners for 20 - 22 hours per day as recommended is key to achieving the results set out in your treatment plan.

Can I get aligners for only my upper or lower jaw?

Yes, we will have your case assessed by our dental team to ensure your case is clinically treatable for just one arch. We still need impressions for both the top and the bottom teeth to ensure we have the full picture of your dentition.

How transparent or discreet are SmilesAlliance Clear aligners?

Most people won't know you have them in. They are very discreet. If you have a special occasion and you feel you would like to have them out, that's the beauty of clear aligners; you can take the aligners out, pop them in your case and put them back in once you are done. Remember to follow the guidelines. The success of the treatment relies on you following the guidelines.

What if I have Crowns, Bridges, Implants or Missing Teeth?

There are some instances where SmilesAlliance treatment may not be suitable, start by answering a few simple questions and we will asses your case further. 30 second assessment. We assess each candidate on a case by case basis to make sure we design the right solution for you.

I've recently had my wisdom teeth out. Should I wait a while before treatment?

Yes, you should wait six to eight weeks after wisdom tooth extraction before commencing SmilesAlliance treatment. If you have any concerns or questions contact our customer care team:

I'm planning to have my wisdom teeth extracted in the future.

We recommend you seek your dentist's guidance before proceeding.

How do I know SmilesAlliance will work for me?

Every new SmilesAlliance case is subject to a comprehensive assessment and evaluation before being approved. SmilesAlliance works for most people. There are some instances where it may not be suitable – so the first step is to find out! How? By answering a few simple questions and sending us photos of your smile. It only takes a few minutes.

Impression kit

What is an impression kit?

SmilesAlliance™ Impression kit is the first step to getting that dream smile this is what we send you in order to get moulds of your teeth to create your treatment.

Our SmilesAlliance™ Impression kit includes a practice putty, 4 impression trays (2 for the upper teeth, and 2 for bottom teeth) and putty mix for creating the moulds. We also include our SmilesAlliance™ instructions booklet and step by step Youtube video so you are at complete ease.

All SmilesAlliance™Impression kits come with free express shipping to you and a pre-paid return envelope back to us making it hassle-free all you have to do once you have done your impressions is pop them in the post.

How long does it take to get my aligners after sending in my impressions?

As long as there aren’t any unforeseen delays or extenuating circumstances, you should receive your aligners about 3-5 weeks after sending back your teeth moulds, uploading photos, and completing your dental history questionnaire.

What if I mess up or don't know how to take my impressions?

Don’t worry; we have your back and have gone the extra mile by adding extra putty for the moulds. This means you have double the amount of chances of getting your impressions correct the first time. If you need additional putty and trays, we’ll send you another kit free of charge. We are here with you every step of the way. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to reach out to us straight away.
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Just reach out via email, text, online chat, or even video chat to help you take your impressions.Email:

Is my impression kit refundable?

If you don’t love your Treatment Preview, or if our dental team determine you aren’t a candidate for aligners, your impression kit is 100% refundable.

Where can I buy an impression kit?

The best route is to fill out the 30 second smile assessment form, once you have completed the form, and you are confirmed as eligible for the treatment you will be directed to the impression kit checkout page.

How long does it take to get my impression kit?

We ship our Impression Kits out to you within 2 business days of purchase. Expected delivery times for all shipments is 3-5 business days from the shipping date.

All SmilesAlliance impression kits come with free express shipping to you and a pre-paid return envelope back to us making it hassle-free all you have to do once you have done your impressions is pop them back in the post back to us.

What to do when you receive your SmilesAlliance impression kit?

Read the impression guide carefully before beginning, follow the step by step guide and make your impressions. Once you have completed the impressions follow the checklist and ensure you have all components before sending the impressions back in the prepaid envelope.

SmilesAlliance treatment plan

Can I see my expected results before I start the treatment?

Yes, after we receive your impressions we create you a 3D video of the attainable results, ready for your approval.

How long does SmilesAlliance treatment take?

No two cases are alike, however most customers should complete their SmilesAlliance journey in 4 to 6 months. It is important to note that this completion time frame is based on wearing your aligners for the recommended 20-22 hours each day. Wearing these as recommended is the key to getting the smile you've always wanted.

How do I use my Chewies?

Chewies are used to seat your aligners in place if there is a slight air gap. Use your chewies as if you were chewing the end of a pencil, go from the back teeth on one side all the way to the other side, moving and biting down on the chewie until the aligners are seated correctly.

Will I experience any pain or discomfort with SmilesAlliance?

There may be some slight discomfort for the first couple of days of a new stage aligner. This discomfort is minimal and is a good indication that the aligners are doing their work.

I'm under 18, can I use SmilesAlliance?

We will assess your case if you are above 16, have all of your adult teeth and have parental consent.

Are there any visits to a dental office during treatment?

Most SmilesAlliance customers don't need to make any additional visits to a dental office during their clear aligner treatment (for reasons related to this treatment) aside from regular dental cleanings.

Can I wear my clear aligners while I play sports?

SmilesAlliance clear aligners are a great option for an active lifestyle. If you are playing any form of contact sport that requires a gum shield you should take them out.

I have a permanent retainer, do I need to remove it?

Yes. In order for us to get an accurate impression of your teeth so we can make the best fitting aligners, our Dental Team will require you to remove your permanent wire. We'll need your wire removed if you would like to straighten either one or both rows of teeth.

What do I do if an aligner or my retainer doesn't fit properly?

If you are experiencing difficulty with the fitting of any of your aligners or your retainer, please contact SmilesAlliance immediately. We are always here to help. You can contact at

What happens if I lose an aligner?

If you lose one of your aligners, don't panic, go to your last aligner from the previous stage and wear this. It is important that you keep all previous aligners in your Aligner box. Contact us immediately and we will arrange for a new aligner to be sent out.

Is any follow-up treatment required once I've completed the program?

All teeth realignment processes require some form of retention. You will need to wear a retainer to ensure that your teeth maintain their new and correct straightness. The retainer should be worn full time for the first month post-treatment and then nightly for about six weeks, gradually reducing to two to three nights per week.
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At SmilesAlliance, we provide you with your first set of retainers free of charge.

Retainers generally last between 6 -12 months and can be ordered online at:

How long does it take to receive my Treatment Preview?

You will receive your treatment preview within 1-2 weeks. We will keep you updated every step of the way.

What is the SmilesAlliance™ Guarantee?

We're sure you're going to love your smile journey; however, if for some reason you disapprove of your 3D smile transformation video, you can work with our dental team to adjust your results, or if you prefer, we will give a full refund. If our dental team determines that your case isn't treatable with our clear aligners, we'll refund you straight away. It's that simple; it's risk-free.
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We also provide refiner aligners should your case need adjustment to achieve your final result; these are free of charge; that's our commitment to you.

What is a 3D smile transformation preview?

A 3D smile transformation preview is a digital video.

We create high detail 3D models of your impressions. Then we create a treatment plan, which we use to create a series of Clear Aligners. This is your Clear Aligner treatment that will correct the alignment of your teeth and provide you with the perfect smile, giving you confidence.

If you like the look of your future smile, you can go ahead and order your aligners. If you don’t, you can cancel your order for a full refund.

What's the difference between an aligner and a retainer?

Aligners are designed for the active stage and is used to move the teeth into the desired positions stage by stage, aligner by aligner.

Retainers are used at the end of your treatment and to retain the results achieved by the aligners. This is to be worn for the first month as normal for 20-22hrs per day, then only whilst you sleep to maintain your results.

Can I use SmilesAlliance if pregnant or breastfeeding?

Every pregnancy can be completely different, so we recommend consulting with your Doctor or midwife prior to using our teeth whitening regarding any health concerns you may have.

Whitening

Does my purchase include free teeth whitening?

Yes, every SmilesAlliance treatment includes our Max Strength, Peroxide Free, Premium LED Teeth Whitening Kit.

Frequently asked questions

SmilesAlliance clear aligners

Impression kit

SmilesAlliance treatment plan

Whitening

Is SmilesAlliance
for me?

Support

SmilesAlliance™ Guarantee

Frequently asked questions

SmilesAlliance clear aligners

Impression kit

SmilesAlliance treatment plan

Whitening

Is SmilesAlliance for me?

Support

SmilesAlliance™ Guarantee

Latest news

Is SmilesAlliance
for me?