Clear aligner orthodontics straightens teeth using a custom sequence of clear, removable trays that apply gentle, controlled pressure to shift teeth into a healthier position over time. At Down To Earth Dental, we use the CandidPro system to help patients across Tacoma close gaps, relieve crowding, and refine their smile—without the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces. Because the aligners are nearly invisible and can be taken out to eat and brush, many people find them a discreet, low-disruption path to a straighter smile.
CandidPro is a clear aligner system prescribed and monitored by your dentist. After a detailed exam, we map out how your teeth should move and create a series of custom trays. You wear each set for a period of time before advancing to the next, and each stage builds on the last. Key features often include:
Clear aligners can address a range of common orthodontic concerns, though the right approach for you is always confirmed during a consultation. They may help with:
More complex cases sometimes benefit from other treatments, and we’ll tell you honestly whether aligners are the best fit for your goals.
Candidacy is determined during a consultation, but clear aligners are often a strong option for teens and adults who have generally healthy teeth and gums and who are motivated to wear their trays consistently. Because the aligners work only while they’re in place, success depends heavily on wearing them as directed—typically most of the day and night. During your exam in Tacoma, we’ll evaluate your teeth, gums, and bite to confirm whether CandidPro can deliver the outcome you’re hoping for.
Your CandidPro journey with Down To Earth Dental typically follows a clear path:
Overall timelines vary from person to person depending on how much movement is needed and how consistently the aligners are worn.
Most patients find clear aligners more comfortable than fixed braces, with no wires or brackets to irritate the cheeks and lips. It’s common to feel mild pressure or tenderness for a day or two after switching to a new set—this is a normal sign the aligners are working and usually eases quickly. Good habits protect your results: keep aligners clean, brush and floss before reinserting them, and wear your retainer as directed once treatment is complete.
As a full-service dental practice with two Tacoma locations serving South Tacoma and Northeast Tacoma, Down To Earth Dental offers clear aligner care alongside comprehensive general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. That means your orthodontic treatment is coordinated with your overall oral health under one roof. We take a straightforward, patient-centered approach—clear explanations, honest recommendations about whether aligners suit your case, and attentive follow-through from start to finish.
Ready to explore a straighter, more confident smile? Schedule a consultation with Down To Earth Dental at one of our two Tacoma, WA offices to find out whether CandidPro clear aligners are right for you. Request your appointment today and take the first step toward the smile you’ve been picturing.
If aligners aren’t the best fit for your goals, we’ll tell you honestly and discuss alternatives. As a full-service practice with two Tacoma locations, Down To Earth Dental offers a range of cosmetic and restorative options, and we can coordinate the approach that best supports your overall oral health. The goal of your consultation is a clear, realistic plan tailored to your smile.
Clear aligner treatment is a well-established, dentist-directed approach to straightening teeth when it’s properly planned and monitored. At Down To Earth Dental, treatment begins with a thorough exam to confirm your teeth and gums are healthy enough to proceed, and we track your progress along the way. This oversight helps keep tooth movement controlled and appropriate for your individual case.
Yes. After your teeth reach their final position, wearing a retainer is an important step to keep them from gradually shifting back. Teeth naturally tend to drift over time, so retention helps protect the results you worked toward. At Down To Earth Dental, we’ll explain your retainer routine and how often to wear it so your new smile stays stable long term.
Yes—one advantage of clear aligners is that you remove them to eat and drink, so there are no food restrictions like those with braces. We recommend taking your aligners out for meals and for anything other than water, then brushing before putting them back in. Keeping your aligners out during eating also helps protect them from staining and damage throughout treatment.
Traditional braces use fixed metal brackets and wires, while clear aligners are a series of removable, nearly invisible trays. Aligners can be taken out to eat, brush, and floss, and many people prefer their discreet appearance and comfort. Braces may still be recommended for certain complex cases. During your exam, we’ll help you weigh which option best matches your goals and needs.
Clear aligners are often a good fit for teens and adults with generally healthy teeth and gums who want to correct crowding, gaps, or certain bite issues and are motivated to wear their trays consistently. Some complex cases may be better served by other treatments. Candidacy is determined during a consultation at Down To Earth Dental, where we examine your smile and confirm the right approach.
Treatment timelines vary from person to person based on how much movement your teeth need and how consistently you wear your aligners. Simpler cases often progress faster, while more involved corrections take longer. Because aligners only work while they’re in your mouth, wearing them as directed—typically most of the day and night—has a major impact on how quickly you reach your final result.
Most patients find clear aligners comfortable, especially compared with metal braces that have wires and brackets. It’s normal to feel mild pressure or tenderness for a day or two after starting each new set—a sign your teeth are moving as planned. This usually fades quickly. Because aligners are removable and smooth, they typically cause far less irritation to the cheeks and lips.
The cost of clear aligner treatment depends on several factors, including how much tooth movement your case requires, the number of aligner stages needed, and the overall length of treatment. Because every smile is different, the most accurate way to understand your investment is a consultation at Down To Earth Dental, where we can evaluate your teeth and review your personalized plan and options.
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4125 49th Avenue NE, Ste D
Tacoma, WA 98422
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