Solventum Clarity™ Aligners offer patients in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, Pennsylvania, a removable orthodontic option supported by customized digital planning and direct clinical oversight. Rather than selecting treatment based on a product name alone, Dr. Bradley D. Smith evaluates your tooth positions, bite and treatment goals before deciding whether Clarity Aligners are appropriate.
At Smiles By Smith Orthodontics, every aligner plan is created for the individual patient and monitored throughout treatment by our experienced orthodontist.
Schedule a complimentary consultation today to find out if you are a candidate for Solventum Clarity Aligners!
What Are Solventum Clarity Aligners?
Solventum Clarity Aligners are a series of customized, removable trays designed to move teeth in planned stages. Each aligner represents one step in a digital orthodontic plan developed around the patient’s alignment, bite and treatment needs.
The trays are worn over the teeth and changed according to the schedule provided by our orthodontist and team. Because they are removable, patients can take them out for meals, brushing and flossing.
Clarity Aligners may provide a less noticeable alternative to traditional metal braces, but they are not appropriate for every orthodontic problem. Dr. Smith will determine whether aligners can provide the level of control required for your case.
How Solventum Clarity Aligner Treatment Is Planned
Successful clear aligner treatment requires more than producing a set of trays. The treatment plan must account for the position of each tooth, the way the upper and lower teeth fit together and the order in which movements should occur.
When evaluating a patient for Solventum Clarity Aligners, Dr. Smith considers:
- The amount of crowding or spacing
- The position and rotation of individual teeth
- The relationship between the upper and lower jaws
- The type and complexity of movement required
- The patient’s oral health and dental development
- The ability to wear removable aligners consistently
These factors help Dr. Smith determine whether Clarity Aligners, another clear aligner system or braces would provide the most appropriate treatment approach.
What Can Solventum Clarity Aligners Treat?
Clarity Aligners may be considered for patients who want to improve:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Spaces and gaps between teeth
- Rotated or unevenly positioned teeth
- Cosmetic alignment concerns
- Tooth movement after earlier orthodontic treatment
- Certain overbite and underbite concerns
- Selected crossbite, open bite and deep bite cases
Two patients with the same general concern may need different treatment because the direction, amount and complexity of the required movement can vary.
Some complex cases are better managed with fixed appliances because braces can provide greater control over certain movements. Dr. Smith will explain what Clarity Aligners may reasonably accomplish before treatment begins.
Are You a Candidate for Clarity Aligners?
Most of Dr. Smith’s clear aligner patients are adults. Some teens and children may also qualify based on their dental development, orthodontic needs and ability to follow the prescribed wear schedule.
You may be a candidate for Solventum Clarity Aligners if you:
- Want a less visible orthodontic appliance
- Prefer a removable treatment option
- Have crowding, spacing or another concern that aligners may improve
- Can wear your trays consistently
- Experienced movement after previous braces or aligner treatment
- Need help completing a transfer case
- Previously used direct-to-consumer or mail-order aligners
Patients who were previously told they were not candidates for clear aligners may request another evaluation. Our orthodontist will assess your current alignment and bite before recommending Clarity Aligners, a different aligner system or traditional braces.
Why Choose Dr. Smith for Clarity Aligner Treatment?
Dr. Smith has provided clear aligner treatment for more than two decades. He has treated thousands of clear aligner cases, including thousands involving Solventum Clarity Aligners, and currently oversees hundreds of aligner cases each year.
He earned his DMD from the University of Pittsburgh before completing specialty training in orthodontics at New York University. During his residency, Dr. Smith was named chief resident, received a faculty position and was elected to the orthodontic program’s admissions board.
He also completed advanced training through the NYU Craniofacial Center and the Gelb Institute for TMD/TMJ, with a focus on cleft palate, facial anomalies and temporomandibular joint disorders.
This training helps Dr. Smith evaluate more than the visible alignment of the teeth. He considers bite function, growth, tooth movement and the amount of control required before recommending a treatment system.
Orthodontist-Directed Digital Treatment Planning
Digital treatment-planning software can organize and display proposed tooth movements, but the technology does not replace an orthodontist’s clinical judgment.
Dr. Smith remains directly involved in creating and overseeing each Clarity Aligner plan. He reviews the intended movement of individual teeth, evaluates the sequence of treatment and monitors how the patient responds during active care.
This oversight allows him to identify concerns such as:
- Aligners that are no longer fitting correctly
- Teeth that are moving differently than planned
- Bite changes that require closer management
- The need for attachments or elastics
- The need for updated scans or refinement aligners
When changes are necessary, Dr. Smith can revise the treatment strategy rather than relying on the original digital plan without further evaluation.
Digital Technology Used During Clarity Aligner Care
Smiles By Smith Orthodontics uses digital tools to collect orthodontic records, develop treatment plans and monitor progress.
Depending on your needs, treatment may involve:
- Digital impressions with an iTero® intraoral scanner
- Cone beam or 3D imaging when clinically appropriate
- Digital photographs
- Facial scans
- Digital treatment-planning software
- Grin technology for progress monitoring
The iTero scanner creates a detailed digital model of the teeth without traditional putty impression material. Dr. Smith uses these records to evaluate tooth positions and coordinate the customized aligner plan.
During routine visits, our team can also explain how the current trays are intended to guide tooth movement and support proper function.
Attachments, Elastics and Other Clarity Aligner Features
Some patients require additional features to help their aligners produce more controlled movement.
Depending on the case, Dr. Smith may use:
- Tooth-colored attachments
- Orthodontic elastics
- Bite ramps
- Precision cuts
- Other case-specific aligner features
Attachments are small shapes placed temporarily on selected teeth. They give the aligners additional surfaces to engage during rotations, angulation changes and other planned movements.
Elastics, bite ramps and precision cuts may be used when additional support is needed for bite correction. Not every patient requires the same combination of features.
What to Expect During Clarity Aligner Treatment
Complimentary Orthodontic Consultation
Your first visit includes an evaluation of your teeth, bite and treatment goals. Our orthodontist will discuss whether Solventum Clarity Aligners appear suitable and explain any alternative approaches that should be considered.
Digital Scans and Records
Patients may be able to complete digital scanning and begin orthodontic records during the initial consultation. Same-day scanning may be used when appropriate.
These records give Dr. Smith the information needed to study your case and develop a treatment strategy.
Customized Aligner Plan
Dr. Smith determines which teeth should move, how those movements should be sequenced and how the aligners will support each stage of treatment.
Your trays are then created according to the approved digital plan.
Daily Aligner Wear
You will wear each set of aligners according to the instructions provided by our orthodontist and team.
The trays should generally be removed for:
- Meals and snacks
- Drinks other than water
- Brushing
- Flossing
Consistent wear is important because the aligners can only guide tooth movement while they are in place.
Progress Appointments
Patients typically return to Smiles By Smith Orthodontics every six to seven weeks during active treatment. Our orthodontist will evaluate aligner fit, tooth movement and bite changes.
Grin technology may also be used to support monitoring between in-office visits.
Refinement Aligners
Teeth do not always respond exactly as projected. If more movement is needed, Dr. Smith may recommend updated scans and an additional series of aligners.
Refinements allow the treatment plan to be adjusted according to the patient’s actual progress.
Retention
After active treatment, patients receive a custom fixed lingual retainer and a clear removable retainer to help maintain the corrected tooth positions.
Benefits of Solventum Clarity Aligners
- Low-Profile Appearance – Clear trays are less visually prominent than metal brackets and wires.
- Removable Treatment – Patients can take out the aligners for meals and oral hygiene.
- Customized Tooth Movement – Each aligner series is created around an individualized digital plan.
- Fewer Food Restrictions – Removing the trays for meals means patients do not have the same food restrictions associated with braces.
- Direct Access for Brushing and Flossing – Patients can clean their teeth without fixed brackets or wires in the way.
- Professional Monitoring – Dr. Smith reviews progress and adjusts treatment when clinically appropriate.
Daily Life With Clarity Aligners
Clarity Aligners can fit into many work, school and social routines because the trays are removable and less noticeable than traditional braces.
Patients can continue eating their usual foods after taking the aligners out. This avoids many of the restrictions associated with foods that could bend wires or damage brackets.
The removable design also makes brushing and flossing more straightforward. However, patients should clean their teeth before replacing the trays so food and plaque are not trapped beneath them.
Aligners should only be left out for necessary activities. Frequently removing them or forgetting to replace them may delay tooth movement and affect how the next tray fits.
Solventum Clarity Aligners for Adults
Adults make up the majority of Dr. Smith’s clear aligner patients. Some are pursuing orthodontic care for the first time, while others want to correct movement that occurred after previous treatment.
Solventum Clarity Aligners may be considered for adults with:
- Long-standing crowding or spacing
- Teeth that shifted after discontinued retainer wear
- Alignment concerns that affect smile confidence
- An unfinished clear aligner case
- Concerns following mail-order aligner treatment
Our approach to adult orthodontics also considers existing dental work, oral health, bite function and the patient’s long-term goals.
Clarity Aligners for Teens and Children
Some teens and children may qualify for Solventum Clarity Aligners, but treatment is recommended case by case.
When evaluating a younger patient, Dr. Smith considers:
- Which permanent teeth have erupted
- How the jaws and bite are developing
- The type of movement required
- The patient’s ability to manage removable trays
- Whether another appliance would provide better control
Dr. Smith has a special interest in early interventional orthodontics and airway-focused care. Growth, breathing concerns and bite development may influence whether aligners are recommended.
When Braces May Be the Better Option
Clear aligners can address many orthodontic concerns, but their discreet appearance does not make them the best choice for every patient.
Dr. Smith may recommend braces when a case requires:
- Greater control over complex tooth movements
- Management of a significant bite discrepancy
- Continuous force without relying on removable trays
- Coordination of several difficult movements
Braces may also be more appropriate when consistent aligner wear is unlikely. Dr. Smith will explain why one treatment method may offer a better clinical fit than another.
Solventum Clarity Aligners vs. Invisalign
Solventum Clarity Aligners and Invisalign both use removable trays developed through digital treatment planning.
Dr. Smith does not automatically reserve one system for a particular type of orthodontic concern. Instead, he evaluates the patient’s alignment, bite, treatment goals and the control required for the planned movements.
The recommendation may be Clarity Aligners, Invisalign or braces. The focus remains on selecting an appropriate clinical approach rather than choosing treatment based only on the aligner brand.
Transfer Cases, Relapse and Corrective Treatment
Smiles By Smith Orthodontics accepts clear aligner transfer cases and evaluates patients who need help continuing, correcting or restarting orthodontic treatment.
You may request an evaluation if you:
- Moved before completing treatment with another provider
- Stopped wearing your aligners before treatment was finished
- Are concerned about your current progress
- Experienced tooth movement after earlier treatment
- Need refinement or corrective care
- Previously used direct-to-consumer aligners
- Were told clear aligners were not an option
Dr. Smith will examine your current tooth positions and bite, review any available records and determine what can reasonably be continued or corrected.
Existing trays cannot always be reused. A transfer or corrective case may require updated scans, a revised aligner plan or a different orthodontic approach.
Retainers After Clarity Aligner Treatment
Retainers help reduce unwanted tooth movement after active orthodontic treatment.
At the completion of Clarity Aligner treatment, patients receive:
- A custom fixed lingual retainer
- A clear removable retainer
Smiles By Smith Orthodontics also uses iTero scans and 3D printing to create models of patients’ teeth and fabricate Essix-style retainers in-house.
Patients receive a custom 3D-printed model of their teeth. Although the practice does not offer a formal long-term retainer program, the model can be brought back if a replacement clear retainer needs to be made.
Clarity Aligner Cost, Insurance and Payment Options
The cost of Solventum Clarity Aligner treatment depends on the complexity of the case, the expected treatment duration and whether additional aligners or refinements are needed.
After Dr. Smith evaluates your teeth and bite, our team can review the recommended treatment, associated fees and available payment arrangements.
Smiles By Smith Orthodontics accepts applicable orthodontic insurance benefits and offers flexible payment or financing options. Visit our financial options page or contact our team for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solventum Clarity Aligners
Who makes Clarity Aligners?
Clarity Aligners are produced by Solventum. At Smiles By Smith Orthodontics, Dr. Smith determines how the system is used and oversees the patient’s customized orthodontic treatment plan.
Are Solventum Clarity Aligners removable?
Yes. Patients remove the trays for meals, drinks other than water, brushing and flossing. They should otherwise wear the aligners according to the schedule provided by our orthodontist and team.
What orthodontic concerns can Clarity Aligners improve?
Clarity Aligners may be considered for crowding, gaps, rotated teeth, cosmetic alignment concerns and selected bite problems. The severity and complexity of the case determine whether aligners are appropriate.
Can Clarity Aligners correct overlapping teeth?
They may be used for many cases of dental crowding and overlapping teeth. Dr. Smith must evaluate the available space and the movements required before confirming candidacy.
Can Clarity Aligners improve bite problems?
Selected overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite and deep bite concerns may be treated with aligners. More complex bite conditions may require braces or another orthodontic approach.
Why might I need attachments?
Attachments give the aligners additional surfaces to engage. They can help guide rotations, angulation changes and other movements that require more control.
Can elastics be worn with Clarity Aligners?
Yes. Dr. Smith may use elastics, precision cuts, bite ramps or other features when they are needed to support the planned tooth and bite movements.
What should I do if an aligner stops fitting?
Contact Smiles By Smith Orthodontics for instructions rather than moving to another tray on your own. Dr. Smith may need to evaluate your progress and determine whether an adjustment or updated scan is needed.
Does needing refinements mean treatment failed?
No. Teeth do not always move exactly as projected. Refinements allow Dr. Smith to update the treatment plan and order additional aligners for remaining movements.
How often are progress appointments scheduled?
Patients typically return every six to seven weeks during active treatment. The schedule may vary according to the complexity of the case and the patient’s progress.
Can adults use Clarity Aligners after having braces?
Possibly. Clear aligners may be used to improve tooth movement that occurred after previous orthodontic treatment. Your current alignment and bite must be evaluated first.
Are Clarity Aligners available for teenagers?
Some teens may qualify. Dr. Smith considers dental development, treatment complexity and the patient’s ability to wear and care for the trays consistently.
Can Smiles By Smith Orthodontics take over an unfinished aligner case?
Yes. The practice evaluates transfer and incomplete clear aligner cases. Dr. Smith will determine whether treatment can continue with aligners or whether another approach is needed.
Can you help after mail-order aligner treatment?
Yes. Patients who previously used direct-to-consumer aligners may schedule an evaluation. Dr. Smith will assess the current tooth positions and bite before recommending corrective care.
How are Solventum Clarity Aligners different from Invisalign?
Both systems use removable trays and digital treatment planning. Dr. Smith recommends the system or treatment method he believes is most appropriate for the patient’s individual orthodontic needs.
Will I need retainers after Clarity Aligner treatment?
Yes. Retainers help maintain the corrected tooth positions. Patients receive a fixed lingual retainer and a clear removable retainer after active treatment.
Schedule a Solventum Clarity Aligner Consultation in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA
Contact Smiles By Smith Orthodontics to schedule a complimentary consultation with our orthodontist. Dr. Smith will evaluate your alignment and bite, discuss your goals and explain whether Solventum Clarity Aligners in Pittsburgh and Allison Park, PA, offer the appropriate treatment approach for your smile.