Straight teeth. No metal. No one has to know.
Clear aligners move teeth gradually using custom transparent trays — removed for eating, invisible at conversation distance.
Dr. Saad Irfan uses 3D digital scanning to plan every tooth movement precisely. You see a simulation of your final result before any aligner is made — and receive a written quote with all costs confirmed before you commit.
Clear aligner treatment — from scan to straight teeth
Clear aligners have been in clinical use since 1998 and have treated over 14 million patients globally. Most cases that previously required fixed braces can now be treated with aligners.
Digital scan
A 3D digital scan of your teeth replaces traditional moulds. The scan takes around 5 minutes and gives an accurate model of your current tooth positions, bite, and spacing.
No impressions, no gagging, no plaster trays.
Treatment simulation
The scan feeds into planning software that maps every tooth movement, tray by tray, from start to finish. Dr. Saad reviews and approves the plan. You see a visual simulation of your final result before any aligner is made.
You see the expected outcome before treatment starts.
Custom aligner fabrication
Aligners are precision-made from medical-grade thermoplastic. Each tray in the series is slightly different from the last — each one repositioning teeth by around 0.2 to 0.3mm per tray change.
Fabricated in an accredited dental lab from your scan data.
Attachments (if needed)
For teeth needing complex movement — rotations, vertical changes, root correction — small composite attachments are bonded to the tooth surface. These are tooth-coloured and barely noticeable.
Not all cases need attachments. Dr. Saad confirms at the planning stage.
Wearing the aligners
Aligners are worn 20 to 22 hours per day and changed every 1 to 2 weeks. Check-up appointments are every 6 to 8 weeks to verify teeth are tracking correctly and collect the next batch of trays.
Most patients manage check-ups in under 20 minutes.
Refinements and retainers
At the end of active treatment, some patients need refinement trays — a small additional set to fine-tune final positions. This is included in comprehensive treatment plans. Retainers are then worn nightly.
One set of retainers included. Replacements available if lost.
How clear aligners compare to metal and ceramic braces
Both aligners and braces move teeth effectively. The choice depends on the complexity of your case, your lifestyle, and your budget.
| Factor | Clear aligners Most popular | Metal braces | Ceramic braces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Virtually invisible | Highly visible metal | Less visible than metal |
| Removability | Fully removable | Fixed — not removable | Fixed — not removable |
| Food restrictions | None | Many (hard, sticky, crunchy) | Many (same as metal) |
| Cleaning | Normal brushing — aligners removed | Difficult — around brackets | Difficult — same as metal |
| Comfort | Smooth plastic, no sharp edges | Wires & brackets can irritate | Smoother but still fixed |
| Complex cases | Most cases — excl. severe skeletal | All cases incl. very severe | Most cases |
| Starting cost (Karachi) | PKR 120,000+ | PKR 60,000+ | PKR 80,000+ |
| Treatment time | 6–24 months | 12–30 months | 14–28 months |
Orthodontic problems aligners fix
The majority of adult orthodontic cases can be treated with clear aligners. The main exceptions are severe skeletal discrepancies — where the jaw bones themselves are mispositioned — which sometimes require surgical correction.
Crowding
Teeth overlap because there is not enough space in the jaw. Clear aligners expand the arch and reposition individual teeth. Mild to moderate crowding responds well.
Mild–Moderate: excellent resultsSpacing (gaps)
Gaps between teeth — from small black triangles to large gaps from missing teeth — are closed by moving teeth toward each other progressively. Spacing cases are often faster to treat.
Most spacing: excellent resultsOverbite
The upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth too much vertically. Aligners use precision bite ramps to open the bite and reposition upper and lower front teeth.
Moderate cases: good resultsUnderbite
Lower front teeth sit in front of upper front teeth when biting. Mild underbites caused by dental positioning respond to clear aligners. Jaw-driven underbites may need surgical correction.
Mild dental underbite: treatableCrossbite
Some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than outside them. This causes uneven jaw loading and enamel wear. Aligners correct crossbite by repositioning the individual teeth.
Most crossbites: treatableOpen bite
Upper and lower front teeth do not meet when the back teeth are closed. Often caused by prolonged thumb-sucking. Aligners close the open bite by intruding back teeth and extruding front teeth.
Selected cases: good outcomesWho gets good results with clear aligners
Clear aligners depend on the patient wearing them consistently. Dr. Saad discusses candidacy honestly at the consultation — he does not recommend aligners for every case.
Good candidates
- Adults and older teenagers with fully erupted permanent teeth
- Patients with mild to moderate crowding, spacing, overbite, or crossbite
- Patients committed to wearing aligners 20 to 22 hours per day without reminders
- Professionals or adults who cannot have visible metal in their appearance
- Patients with healthy gums and no active decay
- Patients who had braces as a teenager and have had some relapse
- Athletes in contact sports who cannot have fixed brackets
Cases where aligners may not be suitable
- Severe skeletal malocclusion where the jaw bones are mispositioned — surgical correction may be needed first
- Young children whose teeth are still erupting
- Patients with active, untreated periodontitis — gum disease must be stable first
- Patients with significant bone loss around teeth
- Patients who cannot commit to 20+ hours of daily wear consistently
- Very severe crowding requiring multiple extractions and complex movements
Your aligner journey — appointment by appointment
Every step from first consultation to final retainer, including how long each one takes.
Initial consultation and photographs
Dr. Saad examines your teeth, takes clinical photographs, and reviews any existing X-rays. He discusses your concerns and gives an initial assessment of whether aligners are appropriate for your case.
Digital scan and records
A full-mouth digital scan is taken along with bite records and dental X-rays. These are the data used to design the aligner series and plan every tooth movement.
Treatment plan review and approval
Dr. Saad walks through the planned tooth movements using a visual simulation, confirms the timeline, and provides the final cost in writing. Aligners are ordered after your approval.
Aligner delivery and fitting
Your first aligner trays arrive. Composite attachments are bonded if needed. You try on tray 1, confirm the fit, and leave with the first 4 to 6 trays and detailed instructions.
Progress check appointments
Check-up appointments confirm teeth are tracking correctly. New batches of trays are provided. These appointments are typically 15 to 20 minutes.
Refinements and retainers
A final scan confirms results. Refinement trays are ordered at no additional cost if needed (included in comprehensive plans). Retainers are made and fitted.
Practical questions about wearing aligners
Can I drink coffee or tea with aligners in?
Water only. Coffee and tea stain the aligner trays and introduce sugar or acid around the teeth while they are sealed in. Remove aligners before any hot or coloured drink. Most patients adjust within the first week.
How do I clean the aligners?
Rinse with cool water when removed. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and clear (non-coloured) soap or the aligner cleaning solution Dr. Saad prescribes. Do not use toothpaste — it scratches the plastic. Do not use hot water — it warps the tray shape.
What happens if I lose or break an aligner?
Contact the clinic immediately. In most cases you move back to the previous tray until the replacement arrives, or move forward to the next tray if you are close to the change date. Keeping your previous set as a backup is the most practical precaution.
Can I do Invisalign while pregnant?
Starting clear aligner treatment during pregnancy is generally not recommended. Patients already mid-treatment can usually continue safely. Dr. Saad discusses this individually based on trimester and treatment stage.
Do aligners affect speech?
There is typically a slight lisp in the first 3 to 7 days as your tongue adjusts to the tray. It resolves on its own. Reading out loud for 20 minutes a day accelerates the adjustment. Most patients stop noticing by the end of the first week.
"The question I get most often at the consultation is: 'Am I too old for this?' My answer is the same every time: the teeth do not care how old you are. What matters is gum health and bone support, not age."
— Dr. Saad Irfan, MSc (Sheffield)Clear aligner treatment costs in Karachi — 2026
All plans include every aligner tray in the series, all check-up appointments during active treatment, any refinement trays needed, and one set of retainers at the end. No surprise charges mid-treatment.
Lite
PKR 120,000
Starting price
For mild cases with limited tooth movement — minor crowding, small gaps, or cosmetic refinements. Usually 14 to 20 aligner trays and 6 to 9 months of treatment.
- Up to 20 aligner trays
- All appointments included
- One set of retainers
- Digital scan included
Moderate
PKR 180,000 – 250,000
Starting price
For moderate crowding, overbite, underbite, or crossbite. 20 to 40 trays. Treatment typically runs 12 to 18 months. Attachments included where needed.
- 20–40 aligner trays
- Composite attachments if needed
- All appointments included
- Refinement trays included
- One set of retainers
- Digital scan included
Comprehensive
PKR 280,000+
Starting price
For complex cases — significant crowding, multiple bite issues, or cases requiring interproximal reduction (IPR). 40+ trays. Treatment 18 to 24 months.
- Unlimited trays for case completion
- IPR (enamel reduction between teeth)
- Attachments and auxiliaries
- All appointments included
- Refinements included
- Two sets of retainers
Exact pricing is confirmed after your digital scan and treatment plan review. You receive a written quote before any aligner is ordered. Payment can be made in full or in instalments — ask at the consultation.
Not sure which plan you need?
Book the free consultation. Dr. Saad will tell you exactly which plan applies to your case and why — before you spend anything.
Questions about clear aligners in Karachi
What connects to clear aligner treatment
Braces & Orthodontics
Metal and ceramic option
Teeth Whitening
After aligners for full result
Gum Treatment
Required before aligners
Scaling & Polishing
Start with clean teeth
Teeth Veneers
For colour after alignment
Smile Makeover
Full cosmetic transformation
DHA Phase 5 Clinic
Primary location
All Services
Every treatment we offer
Find out if clear aligners are right for you
Book a free consultation. Dr. Saad will assess your case, show you a simulation of your expected result, and give you a written treatment plan with confirmed pricing — before you commit to anything.
DHA Phase 5 & Phase 8, Karachi · Mon–Sat 10am–8pm · No referral needed