Cosmetic Dentistry
The short version
Clear aligners straighten teeth using a series of custom-made, nearly invisible trays — no metal wires, no brackets, and nothing most people will even notice you’re wearing. At Markiewicz Dental in Mundelein, IL, aligner treatment is supervised by our dentists from your first scan to your final result, with checkups along the way to keep everything on track.
That supervision is the difference between us and the mail-order aligner companies: your teeth are moving through living bone, and a licensed dentist watching that process — catching issues early, adjusting the plan when needed — is what keeps a straighter smile from coming at the cost of a healthy one.
Medically reviewed by the doctors of Markiewicz Dental
Treatment starts with a digital scan of your teeth — no goopy impressions — which becomes the blueprint for your custom series of trays. Each set of aligners moves your teeth a small, precise step toward their final position; every week or two, you switch to the next set in the series. You’ll wear them 20 to 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, drink anything besides water, and brush. Most patients finish in 6 to 18 months depending on their case, with periodic visits so we can confirm your teeth are moving as planned.
For the cases they fit, aligners have clear advantages:
The honest counterpoint: braces still win for complex cases — severe crowding, significant bite correction, or teeth that need rotating in ways trays can’t manage. And aligners only work when they’re worn; the removability that makes them convenient also makes them a commitment. Your consultation tells you which side of that line your case falls on.
Aligners work well for mild to moderate crowding, gaps and spacing issues, and certain bite problems — which covers a large share of adults who wish their teeth were straighter. They’re also a popular choice for people who had braces years ago and watched things shift back. At your consultation, we’ll examine your teeth, take a scan, and give you a straight answer: whether aligners can achieve what you want, how long it’s likely to take, and — if your case needs more than trays can deliver — what would actually work.
Teeth have long memories — without retention, they drift back toward where they started. When your aligner series ends, you’ll transition to a retainer (typically worn nightly) that locks in your results. It’s the least glamorous part of treatment and the most important: the patients still smiling at their results in ten years are the ones who kept wearing their retainer.
Questions
Patient reviews
I have been a patient here for over twenty years and I would not go anywhere else. Everyone knows my name the moment I walk in, and the care has always been thorough and completely honest.
Dr. Markiewicz walked me through my implant plan on a 3D scan so I understood exactly what would happen. The surgery was far easier than I expected and the tooth looks completely natural.
I used to dread the dentist. This office changed that. They explained every step, checked in constantly, and never once made me feel rushed or judged about the work I had put off.
Related care
Find out if clear aligners are right for you. Call Markiewicz Dental at (847) 566-2811 or request an appointment online to schedule a consultation. Serving Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, and all of Lake County, IL.
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