Working professionals, brides-to-be and on-camera personalities in Mumbai are choosing clear aligners to straighten their teeth discreetly. Dr. Manish Sonawane of Millennium Smile Dental Clinic explains how the treatment works and who it suits.

Mumbai, October 2026: Ten years ago, straightening your teeth as an adult usually meant months of visible metal brackets and wires. Today, many adults choose clear aligners instead: thin, transparent trays that move the teeth gradually and are very hard to notice in everyday conversation. At Millennium Smile Dental Clinic in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West, aligner treatment is planned and monitored by Dr. Manish Sonawane, a specialist orthodontist who ranked first in Pune for his MDS in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics.

The clinic, trusted by Bollywood and television personalities since 2006, sees a steady number of patients who want a straighter smile without visible braces. That includes actors with shooting schedules, working professionals, and people preparing for a wedding.

What are clear aligners?

Clear aligners, including the well-known Invisalign system, are a series of custom-made transparent trays. Each set is worn for about one to two weeks before moving to the next. Every set is shaped slightly differently, so the teeth move step by step towards a planned final position.

Because there are no brackets or wires, aligners are removed for eating and brushing and are almost invisible when worn. For people who speak in meetings, present on stage or appear on camera, this is often the main reason they choose aligners.

Why it matters who plans your aligners

Aligners may look simple, but the real work is in the planning. Moving teeth safely requires an understanding of the bite, the jaw, the roots and the gums, not just how the front teeth look.

“Aligners are an orthodontic treatment, not a cosmetic accessory,” says Dr. Manish Sonawane. “Every movement has to be planned with the full bite in mind. The trays are only a tool. What makes the result last is the diagnosis and the monitoring along the way.”

Dr. Manish Sonawane has been practising since 2005. Along with his MDS, he completed an international course in lingual orthodontics as a super-specialisation, and he teaches orthodontics as faculty at MGM Dental College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai. The same planning standards used to train postgraduate orthodontists are applied to patients at the clinic.

Who is suited to clear aligners?

Clear aligners work well for many adults and older teenagers with:

• Mild to moderate crowding of the teeth
• Gaps between the teeth
• Some types of deep bite or open bite
• Teeth that have shifted after earlier braces were removed
• A need to straighten teeth without visible metalwork for work or personal reasons

Very severe bite problems, skeletal jaw issues or cases that need complex tooth movement may be better treated with fixed braces or a combined approach. The clinic also offers metal, ceramic and lingual braces, so patients are guided towards the option that actually fits their case.

How the treatment works, step by step

1. Consultation and digital scan. Photographs, X-rays and a 3D scan of the teeth are taken. The clinic uses a digital intraoral scanner, which records the teeth in a few minutes without messy putty impressions.

2. Plan preview. The patient sees a computer projection of how the teeth are expected to move at each stage before agreeing to start.

3. First aligners. The first set of trays is fitted, and the patient is shown how to wear, clean and change them.

4. Regular reviews. Patients visit every 6 to 8 weeks so the doctor can check progress. Small tooth-coloured attachments may be added to certain teeth to help with specific movements.

5. Refinements. If a few teeth need a little more movement at the end, a short set of refinement aligners may be added.

6. Retainers. Once the teeth reach their planned position, retainers are given to hold them in place.

How long does treatment take?

Most aligner cases at the clinic take between 6 and 18 months, depending on how much movement is needed. Shorter cosmetic cases can sometimes be completed in 4 to 6 months. The timeline is explained clearly at the planning stage, which helps patients plan around events like weddings or work commitments.

What daily life with aligners looks like

Aligners need to be worn for about 20 to 22 hours a day to work as planned. They are taken out for meals and for drinks other than plain water, and the teeth should be brushed before putting them back in.

Mild pressure or tenderness for a day or two after switching to a new set is normal and usually settles quickly. Patients often find it easier than they expected, because there are no wires to tighten and no brackets rubbing against the cheeks.

Retainers: the step people forget

Any orthodontic treatment, whether braces or aligners, needs retainers afterwards. Teeth naturally tend to drift back over time. Skipping retainers is the most common reason a straightened smile slowly changes. At the clinic, retainer instructions are part of every aligner plan from the beginning.

Aligners as part of a smile makeover

For some patients, straightening the teeth is the first stage of a bigger cosmetic plan. Once aligners have corrected the position of the teeth, whitening, bonding or veneers can be planned on a straighter base, which often means less tooth preparation is needed. At Millennium Smile Dental Clinic, Dr. Manish Sonawane and Dr. Ameya Sonawane plan these combined cases together under one roof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who plans clear aligner treatment at Millennium Smile Dental Clinic?

Aligner cases are planned and monitored by Dr. Manish Sonawane, BDS, MDS Orthodontics, a specialist orthodontist and faculty member at MGM Dental College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai.

Are clear aligners really invisible?

They are very difficult to notice in normal conversation. Small tooth-coloured attachments are sometimes used, and even these are far less visible than braces.

How is Invisalign different from braces?

Aligners are removable transparent trays changed every one to two weeks. Braces are fixed to the teeth and adjusted at the clinic. Both can give good results when the case is chosen correctly.

Can I eat with aligners in?

No. Aligners should be removed for meals and for any drink other than plain water, and teeth should be brushed before wearing them again.

Do I need a retainer after aligners?

Yes. Retainers are essential to hold the teeth in their new position after treatment.

Treatment duration and results vary from person to person. Suitability for clear aligners is confirmed only after an orthodontic examination.

About Millennium Smile Dental Clinic

Millennium Smile Dental Clinic is a dental clinic in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West, Mumbai, serving patients since 2006 and trusted by Bollywood and television personalities for smile makeovers and cosmetic dentistry. The clinic is led by Dr. Manish Sonawane (BDS, MDS Orthodontics; Fellowship in Implantology, Full Mouth Rehabilitation and TMJ & TMDs; faculty at MGM Dental College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai) and Dr. Ameya Sonawane (BDS, MUHS Nashik). Treatments include smile design, porcelain veneers, dental implants, Invisalign and clear aligners, braces, full mouth rehabilitation, single-sitting root canal treatment, teeth whitening, gum treatment and children’s dentistry.

Clinic: Millennium Smile Dental Clinic

Address: 1st Floor, Lokhandwala Complex Market, R 42 Crystal Avenue, 3rd Cross Road, opp. Star Kids, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053

Phone / WhatsApp: +91 98220 94564

Timings: Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM