Mia Aligners · Lifestyle & Care

Yes. For contact sports, wear a mouthguard instead of your aligners. If you play an instrument, you may want to remove them at first, until you're comfortable.

Attachments are tiny, tooth-coloured dots that help your aligners grip your teeth better. They're safe, temporary, and barely noticeable.

Great question! The answer is, not at all. They're very discreet, and most people quickly forget they're even wearing them.

It happens! Just wear that set for an extra day or two to catch up. If it becomes a regular issue, get in touch so we can adjust your plan if needed.

Yes! Aligner cleaning foams, tablets, or denture cleaners are all safe, just avoid hot water and always follow the product instructions. Your Mia dentist can guide you on which option is best.

Toothpaste can be abrasive and may scratch the aligners. If you do use it, choose a gentle, non-abrasive one. Otherwise, stick to mild soap or a cleaning solution.

Every smile is different! Attachments are only used if certain tooth movements need extra support. If your friend doesn't need them, that's simply based on their plan.

Refinements are extra aligners used to fine-tune your results before treatment ends. Retainers are worn after treatment to keep your teeth in place long term.

We don't recommend it. Smoking or vaping can stain or warp the plastic. If you need to, take your aligners out and make sure to rinse with water before putting them back in. Ideally, try to limit it during treatment.

Yes and you should be! Aligners are designed to work continuously, so wearing them overnight is important.

This depends on your case. Some patients get a fixed (wire) retainer behind the teeth for extra support. Others just wear removable retainers at night. We'll advise what's best for you.

Braces use brackets and wires that stay fixed to your teeth. Aligners are removable and clear, offering a more discreet and flexible option, though both can be effective, depending on your needs.

We'll always check this at the start. Any fillings or other work should usually be done before aligners begin, that way we're moving healthy teeth.

First, we take a 3D scan, photos, and X-rays of your teeth and jaws. Then we send you an estimate. If you're happy, you'll pay a treatment planning fee and we'll create your customised plan. Once approved, we order your aligners and you're ready to begin.

This fee covers the full digital design and orthodontic planning behind your treatment. It's non-refundable and separate from your aligner quote, but it ensures your smile plan is safe, personalised, and precise.