Clear Aligners in Hershey, PA
Reviewed by Dr. Susan Korch, DMD, MS
Plenty of adults want straighter teeth and do not want to spend two years in metal braces. That is the whole reason clear aligners exist.
They are removable, so you eat what you like and brush normally. They are clear, so most people will not notice you are wearing them. And they usually need fewer office visits than braces, which matters if you are fitting treatment around work or a drive.
They are not right for every case. Some bites need the control that fixed braces give. The honest way to find out which you are is a free exam, and Dr. Korch will tell you plainly if aligners are the wrong tool for your teeth.
How Treatment Works
You’ll start with a series of custom-fit aligners designed for your smile.
Each aligner is worn for 1-2 weeks before switching to the next.
As you progress through the series, your teeth gradually move into alignment.
Within just a few months, you’ll begin to see noticeable improvements, leading to a healthier, straighter smile.
How Aligner Treatment Works
1. A digital scan. We scan your teeth with an iTero® scanner. No putty impressions.
2. Your plan. Dr. Korch maps out how your teeth will move, in what order, over how long. You see the projected result before you start.
3. Your trays. A series of custom trays is made from that plan, each slightly different from the last.
4. Wearing them. One to two weeks per tray, then switch. Aligners need to be in your mouth 20 to 22 hours a day to work. That is the one real demand this treatment makes of you.
5. Checking progress. Many check-ins happen remotely through Dental Monitoring, using your phone.
Most patients see visible change within a few months.
What Makes These Aligners Different
The aligner system we use is Spark®. A few things distinguish it from older aligner materials:
- Clarity. They resist staining well, so they stay clear through the one to two weeks you wear each tray.
- Comfort at the edges. The trays are trimmed with smooth, scalloped edges that follow your gumline rather than cutting straight across.
- Better grip on the tooth. More surface contact and steadier force over time means the tray does its work more evenly.
- Material safety. Made without BPA, mercury, latex or phthalates.
The material is called TruGEN™. Its manufacturer reports improved force retention compared with earlier aligner materials.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Clear aligners work well for teens and adults with mild to moderate:
- Crowding
- Spacing and gaps
- Mild to moderate bite problems
You are a good candidate if you can wear the trays 20 to 22 hours a day, you would rather not have fixed brackets, and you want fewer office visits.
Braces may serve you better if your bite needs significant correction, or if remembering to put a tray back in after every meal is not realistic for you. There is no wrong answer, only a better fit.
If your teeth shifted after previous treatment, a shorter touch-up course is often all it takes.
How Do Clear Aligners Compare to Invisalign®?
This comes up at nearly every consultation, so here is a straight answer.
Invisalign® is the best-known aligner brand, and it works. We do not offer it. We use a different system, for reasons that come down to material and trim: better stain resistance, and scalloped edges that sit more comfortably against the gums.
Functionally, both move teeth the same way, with a series of custom trays worn full time. Any well-made aligner in the hands of an orthodontist who plans the case properly will move your teeth. The planning matters more than the brand, which is the part aligner advertising tends to skip.
If you came in specifically wanting Invisalign®, tell us. We will show you what we use and why, and you can decide.
Fewer Visits, Which Is the Real Convenience
Aligner treatment needs fewer in-office appointments than braces, because there are no wires to tighten. Paired with Virtual Treatment, much of your treatment can be supervised without you driving anywhere.
For patients coming from Harrisburg, Elizabethtown or Lebanon, that is the difference between treatment that fits your life and treatment that does not.
What Clear Aligners Cost
Aligner treatment sits inside the same range as braces here, about $3,500 for limited treatment to $9,000 for more complex cases. The driver is how much your teeth need to move, not which appliance you pick.
Your fee covers your records, your aligners, your visits and one set of retainers. We offer interest free in-house financing, a full payment discount, and a family discount. Your first exam is free. Full detail is on our treatment cost page.
Find Out If Aligners Suit Your Teeth
The exam is free, it takes one visit, and you will leave knowing whether clear aligners will work for you and what treatment would cost.
Korch Orthodontics · 357 West Governor Road, Hershey, PA 17033 · (717) 533-7400
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing clear aligners is a big decision, and many patients want clarity on what treatment involves beyond the basics. These FAQs address what individuals commonly want to know when exploring clear aligners, from lifestyle questions to treatment expectations.
Can clear aligners fix an overbite or underbite?
Many mild to moderate bite problems can be corrected with aligners. More severe cases may need braces, or aligners combined with other appliances. We will tell you which category yours falls into at your exam.
Will I need attachments on my teeth?
Some patients do. These are small tooth-colored bumps bonded to a few teeth to give the tray something to push against. They are discreet, they are temporary, and they come off when treatment ends.
Can I drink coffee, tea or wine with my aligners in?
Water only. Anything else risks staining the tray or warping it if it is hot. Take them out, drink, then put them back in. This is the habit patients find hardest for the first week and stop noticing after that.
How do the trays stay clear through treatment?
The material resists staining better than older aligner plastics, and you are only in each tray for one to two weeks. Rinsing them when you take them out and brushing before you put them back in does the rest.
Will I need a retainer afterwards?
Yes, and this is not optional. Teeth move back toward where they started if nothing holds them. One set of retainers is included in your fee. See retention for how wear schedules work.
