Lumyra available at all 3 offices
Digital scanning & treatment planning
Adults & teens
Saturday availability at selected offices
What makes Lumyra different?
The aligner itself is directly 3D printed rather than thermoformed over a printed model. Lumyra uses shape-memory aligner technology as part of the treatment system.
Can I still choose Invisalign?
Yes. Bright Smiles also uses Invisalign, ClearCorrect and SureSmile when those systems better fit the case or patient preference.
Will I need attachments?
Maybe. Tooth-colored attachments, elastics or other auxiliaries are used only when they help create the movement the treatment plan requires.
How much do I need to wear them?
Clear aligners work only when they are worn as directed. Your Bright Smiles team will give you the wear schedule for your specific aligner system and treatment plan.
START WITH THE MOVEMENT — NOT THE BRAND
Clear aligners are an orthodontic appliance, not a shortcut around orthodontic diagnosis
Clear aligners look simple because the appliance is clear. The planning behind them is not. Moving teeth predictably requires understanding where each tooth is starting, where it can safely move, how the upper and lower arches fit together, which movements are easy for an aligner to express and which may require attachments, elastics, interproximal reduction, refinements or a different appliance altogether.
That is why Bright Smiles does not treat “clear aligners” as one generic product. We use digital records and treatment planning to decide which movements are appropriate and which aligner system gives us the tools we want for that case.
For many of our patients today, that system is Lumyra. For others, Invisalign, ClearCorrect, SureSmile, braces or a hybrid approach can make more sense.
DIRECT-PRINTED ALIGNERS
Why we are excited about Lumyra direct-printed aligners
Most clear aligners are made by first 3D printing a model of the teeth and then thermoforming a plastic sheet over that model. Lumyra takes a different manufacturing route: the aligner itself is directly 3D printed.
Bright Smiles currently uses Lumyra as our go-to clear aligner system in all three offices. That does not mean every patient should receive Lumyra. It means we believe direct printing gives us a useful additional tool and we select it when the treatment plan makes sense.
Direct 3D printing
The appliance is printed directly from the digital design rather than being thermoformed over a physical model. That removes one manufacturing step between the digital treatment design and the final aligner.
Shape-memory technology
Lumyra uses shape-memory aligner technology designed to help the appliance recover its intended form after repeated insertion, removal and wear. The goal is controlled force delivery — not simply a stiffer tray.
Designed thickness control
Direct printing allows the aligner design to vary thickness in selected areas instead of starting from one uniform thermoforming sheet. That gives the treatment-planning system another way to influence how force is expressed.
Direct digital workflow
Because the aligner itself is printed directly from the digital design, the manufacturing workflow does not require thermoforming an aligner over a separately printed model.
A more advanced aligner does not replace a good treatment plan.
Direct printing, shape-memory materials, sophisticated software and digital monitoring can expand what clinicians can do — but the result still depends on diagnosis, staging, biomechanics, patient wear, periodontal health and whether the planned movements are realistic.
MORE THAN ONE ALIGNER PLATFORM
Lumyra, Invisalign, ClearCorrect and SureSmile: why Bright Smiles keeps options open
Patients often arrive asking for a brand name. We are happy to discuss it. But we would rather choose a system because its workflow, material, auxiliaries and treatment-planning tools fit the case than because one brand happens to be the most familiar.
Lumyra
Our current go-to clear aligner system. Directly 3D printed, with shape-memory aligner technology and a digital workflow designed around the treatment plan. Available at Cumming, Lawrenceville and Dawsonville.
Invisalign®
A widely recognized clear aligner system with a mature digital workflow and a large ecosystem of attachments, staging tools and treatment options. It remains an available choice at Bright Smiles when it fits the case.
ClearCorrect®
Another established clear aligner platform. It can be useful for patients and treatment plans where its digital workflow, material or clinician preferences make it a good fit.
SureSmile®
A digital orthodontic platform that also provides clear aligner treatment. We can use it when its workflow or treatment-planning features suit the case.
CANDIDACY
What can clear aligners treat?
Clear aligners can be used for much more than very minor crowding, but not every orthodontic problem should be forced into an aligner plan. The decision depends on the amount and type of tooth movement, bite, roots, bone, periodontal health, growth, previous dental work and how reliably the patient will wear the appliance.
Crowding & rotations
Aligners can create and redistribute space while moving crowded teeth into a more maintainable position. Some rotations are more demanding than others and may need attachments or refinement.
Spacing
Spaces between teeth can often be closed with aligners, but the cause matters. Tooth-size differences, missing teeth, gum issues or habits may change the finishing plan.
Overbite & deep bite
Selected bite problems can be improved with aligners, often using carefully staged tooth movement, bite ramps, attachments or elastics.
Open bite
Some open-bite patterns can respond well to aligner mechanics, while skeletal or growth-related patterns may need a different treatment discussion.
Crossbite
Dental crossbites can sometimes be corrected with aligners. The plan depends on whether the problem is primarily tooth position, arch form or skeletal relationship.
Orthodontic relapse
Teeth that shifted after previous braces or aligners can often be retreated, but the reason for relapse and the retention plan should be addressed from the beginning.
THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE RIGHT CASE
When clear aligners may not be the best first choice
Some patients can technically be treated with aligners but would be more predictable, more efficient or easier to manage with braces or a hybrid approach. We would rather explain that before treatment than discover it after months of compromised tracking.
Examples include certain large tooth movements, difficult root movements, significant skeletal discrepancies, some impacted teeth, cases that require very complex mechanics, or situations where consistent aligner wear is unlikely.
Patients who are still growing may also need a growth-focused orthodontic plan rather than simply “straightening the teeth.”
What matters more than whether aligners are possible
- Can the planned movements be expressed predictably?
- Will the bite finish in a healthy, stable relationship?
- Can the patient wear removable appliances consistently?
- Are the gums and supporting bone healthy enough for movement?
- Will restorative work be needed before or after orthodontics?
- Would braces, elastics or another appliance make treatment more controllable?
Clear aligners are a tool. The objective is the result.
BIOMECHANICS BEHIND THE CLEAR PLASTIC
How clear aligners actually move teeth
An aligner is made slightly different from the current position of the teeth. When it seats over the teeth, the material applies force. A sequence of aligners stages that force over time so the teeth can move gradually toward the planned positions.
The difficult part is not printing a sequence of trays. It is deciding which movements should occur, in what order, how much anchorage is needed, and what features are required to help the teeth track the digital plan.
Attachments
Small tooth-colored shapes bonded temporarily to selected teeth can give an aligner a better surface to push, pull or rotate against. They are not automatically required on every tooth.
Interproximal reduction (IPR)
In selected cases, tiny amounts of enamel may be reduced between certain teeth to create space or improve tooth proportions. IPR should be planned deliberately, not performed simply because software suggests it.
Elastics
Small orthodontic elastics can add forces that an aligner alone may not provide efficiently, particularly for some bite corrections.
Staging & refinements
Teeth do not always follow a digital simulation exactly. A refinement is a new scan and additional aligner sequence used when more movement is needed after the initial series.
YOUR TREATMENT JOURNEY
From digital scan to the final retainer
The exact sequence varies by case and aligner system, but good clear aligner treatment should be organized around predictable checkpoints rather than simply handing over a box of trays.
01 — Consultation
We evaluate your bite, tooth positions, periodontal health, existing dental work, goals and whether aligners are a good fit for the movements you need.
02 — Digital records
Records can include photographs, digital scans and appropriate radiographs. These are used to diagnose and design treatment — not merely to manufacture trays.
03 — Digital treatment plan
Your dentist reviews how the teeth are staged, which attachments or auxiliaries may be needed, and whether the projected result makes sense clinically.
04 — Aligner fabrication
The aligner series is manufactured through the selected system. With Lumyra, the aligners themselves are directly 3D printed.
05 — Delivery & instructions
We check fit, place attachments when indicated and review wear, insertion/removal, eating, cleaning and what to do if an aligner is lost or damaged.
06 — Progress checks
Visits are used to evaluate tracking, bite changes, attachments, oral health and whether the planned movements are occurring as expected.
07 — Refinement when needed
If the teeth need additional movement, new records can be taken and a refinement sequence planned. Refinements are part of many well-managed aligner cases.
08 — Retention
When active movement is complete, retainers help hold the result. Teeth can shift after orthodontic treatment, so retention is part of treatment — not an optional afterthought.
DAY-TO-DAY LIFE
Clear does not mean maintenance-free
Aligners are removable, which is one of their biggest conveniences — and one of the reasons patient cooperation matters so much. The appliance can only move teeth while it is being worn.
Wear them as directed
Clear aligner treatment depends on consistent wear. Follow the exact daily wear schedule your Bright Smiles dentist gives you for your system and treatment plan.
Remove for meals unless directed otherwise
Food, staining liquids and chewing can damage or discolor aligners. Follow the instructions for your specific aligner material and treatment stage.
Clean teeth and aligners
Plaque trapped against teeth by an aligner can increase the risk of decay, inflammation and odor. Good brushing, flossing and aligner hygiene matter throughout treatment.
Do not improvise with heat
Different aligner materials respond differently to temperature. Lumyra’s shape-memory aligner material has specific handling instructions. Do not use hot water or other heat treatments unless Bright Smiles has specifically instructed you how.
ORTHODONTICS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN ISOLATION
One practice can coordinate the dentistry around your tooth movement
Clear aligner treatment often intersects with the rest of dentistry. A patient may need periodontal stabilization before tooth movement, a missing tooth space may need to be preserved for a future implant, worn edges may need restorative planning after alignment, or whitening and bonding may be considered once the teeth are in better positions.
Bright Smiles provides family, restorative, cosmetic, implant, pediatric and orthodontic care across one organization. That makes it easier to coordinate the sequence when tooth movement is only one part of the final result.
We also treat adults and children, so family members can receive different types of dental care within the same practice rather than building separate relationships for every service.
COST, INSURANCE & FINANCING
Clear aligner cost depends on the treatment — not just the number of trays
Orthodontic treatment cost can vary with case complexity, whether one or both arches are treated, the number of stages, auxiliaries, refinement needs and the aligner system selected.
Bright Smiles clear aligner consultations are $98. Current promotions may waive or modify the consultation fee, so confirm the offer that applies when you schedule.
We accept your insurance and will help you maximize your available benefits. Orthodontic benefits vary by plan, age and treatment. Our team can help you understand the benefits that may apply and review financing options for qualifying patients.
We prefer to discuss the entire treatment plan — including expected refinements and retention — rather than selling a low starting number that does not represent the care needed to finish well.
CARE CLOSE TO HOME
Clear aligners across all three Bright Smiles offices
Lumyra is available at Cumming, Lawrenceville and Dawsonville. Other aligner systems and provider availability can vary, so tell us if you have a specific platform in mind when scheduling.
Cumming
907 Buford Rd, Suite 100
Cumming, GA 30041
678-922-8282
Lumyra clear aligners available
Open Monday–Saturday, 8 AM–5 PM
Lawrenceville
845 Scenic Hwy S, Suite 300
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-277-5588
Lumyra clear aligners available
Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM
Second and fourth Saturdays, 8 AM–5 PM
Dawsonville
78 Dawson Village Way N, Suite 170
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-525-7127
Lumyra clear aligners available
Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Clear aligner questions, answered clearly
What is a directly 3D-printed clear aligner?
A directly printed aligner is manufactured by printing the aligner itself from the digital design. Conventional clear-aligner manufacturing usually prints a model first and then thermoforms a plastic sheet over that model. Lumyra uses a direct-printing workflow.
What is Lumyra?
Lumyra is Bright Smiles’ direct-printed clear aligner option. The aligner itself is 3D printed from the digital treatment design and uses shape-memory aligner technology. Lumyra is currently our go-to clear aligner system across all three offices.
How is Lumyra different from conventional thermoformed aligners?
Conventional aligners are commonly thermoformed over a printed model of the teeth. Lumyra uses a direct-printing workflow, so the aligner itself is produced from the digital design rather than formed over a separate model.
Is Lumyra better than Invisalign?
They are different aligner systems with different materials and workflows. Lumyra’s direct-printing workflow and shape-memory aligner technology are distinctive. Invisalign has a mature platform and broad treatment ecosystem. We choose the system based on the clinical plan rather than claiming one brand is universally better.
Does Bright Smiles still offer Invisalign?
Yes. Bright Smiles offers multiple clear aligner systems, including Lumyra, Invisalign, ClearCorrect and SureSmile. Lumyra is currently our go-to option, but another system may be selected when it better fits the case.
How many hours a day do I have to wear clear aligners?
Aligners must be worn consistently to work. Clear aligner treatment depends on consistent wear. Follow the exact schedule provided by your Bright Smiles dentist for your aligner system and treatment plan.
Can I eat while wearing clear aligners?
In general, aligners are removed for meals unless your dentist gives different instructions for a specific material or treatment stage. Follow the handling instructions provided with your aligner system.
Will I need attachments?
Not necessarily. Attachments are small tooth-colored shapes bonded to selected teeth when they help the aligner express a planned movement. Their number and location depend on the treatment mechanics.
What is IPR and will I need it?
Interproximal reduction, or IPR, is the planned removal of a very small amount of enamel between selected teeth to create space or improve tooth proportions. It is used only when the treatment plan calls for it.
Can clear aligners fix an overbite, crossbite or open bite?
Some bite problems can be treated with clear aligners, often with attachments, elastics or other features. The answer depends on whether the problem is primarily dental, skeletal or growth-related and how much movement is required.
Are clear aligners appropriate for teenagers?
They can be. The decision depends on the teen’s orthodontic problem, dental development, growth, oral hygiene and whether the aligners can be worn consistently.
What happens if my teeth do not track the digital plan?
The fit and tooth movement are evaluated during progress checks. If additional movement is needed, new records may be taken and a refinement sequence planned. Refinements are common in well-managed aligner treatment.
Will I need a retainer after clear aligners?
Yes. Teeth can move after orthodontic treatment. Retention is part of maintaining the result, and the type and wear schedule of the retainer will be reviewed when active treatment is completed.
How much is a clear aligner consultation?
Bright Smiles clear aligner consultations are $98. Current promotions may waive or change that consultation fee, so confirm the offer that applies when scheduling.
Does dental insurance cover clear aligners?
We accept your insurance and will help you understand and maximize the benefits available to you. Orthodontic benefits vary by plan, age and treatment. Our team can review the benefits that may apply before you begin.
What if clear aligners are not the best option for me?
We will explain the alternatives. Traditional braces, limited orthodontic treatment, growth-focused appliances or a hybrid approach may provide better control in some cases. The objective is a healthy, stable result — not forcing every patient into aligners.
RELATED ORTHODONTIC CARE
Your clear aligner plan may connect with other Bright Smiles services
You do not need to choose an aligner brand before your consultation.
Tell us what you want to change about your smile, what matters to you about treatment, and whether you have a specific aligner system in mind.
We will evaluate the teeth, bite, gum health, restorative needs and the movements required, then explain whether Lumyra, Invisalign, ClearCorrect, SureSmile, braces or another approach gives us the best path forward.
Cumming • Lawrenceville • Dawsonville
Lumyra direct-printed aligners • Multiple aligner systems • Digital treatment planning