Clear aligners have changed how adult orthodontics looks. Instead of brackets and wires, a series of transparent removable trays moves teeth in small, pre-planned steps. Seoul Top Dental Hospital in Seocho explains how aligner treatment is planned, who it suits, and the daily habits that decide its success.
From 3D scan to a tray sequence
Treatment starts with an intraoral 3D scan. Software simulates the full movement path from current position to target alignment, then divides it into stages, with each tray moving teeth a fraction of a millimeter. You switch trays every 1 to 2 weeks as directed, and the number of trays reflects case complexity. The simulation also lets you preview the planned end result before committing.
Who aligners suit, and who they don’t
Aligners handle mild to moderate crowding, spacing and relapse after previous orthodontics very well. Attachments (small tooth-colored bumps) extend their reach for rotations and vertical movements. Severe skeletal discrepancies, large bite corrections and some extraction cases are still better served by brackets or combined approaches; an honest diagnosis sorts this out before you pay for either.
The 20 to 22 hour rule
Aligners only work while worn. The standard is 20 to 22 hours daily, removed only for meals and brushing. Falling short delays movement and causes trays to stop fitting. Routine check-ups track progress, and after the final tray, retainers preserve the result just as with any orthodontic treatment.
Seoul Top Dental Hospital’s orthodontic department offers both aligners and bracket systems, so the recommendation follows your diagnosis rather than a single product. A scan-based consultation shows the simulated result before you decide.