Clear Aligners & Invisalign in Lexington, SC
Reviewed by Dr. Christine Esposito, Board-Certified Orthodontist at Sunset Children’s Dentistry · Updated October 12, 2026
Invisalign Lexington SC patients choose for one reason above all others: nobody has to know. Clear aligners are a series of custom trays, worn 20 to 22 hours a day and swapped every one to two weeks, that move teeth gradually without a single bracket.
They come out to eat, to brush, and for a game or a school photo. That flexibility is the whole appeal — and it is also the catch, because aligners only work during the hours they are actually in.
Is Invisalign better than braces?
Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners, while braces use brackets bonded to the teeth. Both straighten teeth well. At Sunset Children’s Dentistry in Lexington, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Christine Esposito recommends the option that fits your teen’s bite and habits. Learn more about orthodontic care at Sunset Children’s Dentistry.
| Invisalign clear aligners | Traditional metal braces | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Removable clear trays, switched every 1–2 weeks | Brackets bonded to the teeth, connected by a wire |
| Typical treatment time | About 12–18 months | About 18–24 months |
| Daily wear | About 22 hours a day; taken out to eat and brush | Fixed in place until treatment ends |
| Food rules | Eat normally with aligners out | Avoid hard and sticky foods |
| Best for | Mild to moderate crowding, spacing and bite issues in teens who wear them consistently | All case types, including complex bite corrections |
| Check-in visits | About every 6–10 weeks | About every 6–8 weeks |
Compared with fixed braces, aligners trade a little control for a lot of convenience. For mild to moderate crowding and spacing, that trade is usually worth it. For complex rotations or significant bite correction, braces still hold an edge — and we will tell you which camp your case is in rather than selling you the option you walked in wanting.
- Virtually invisible: no metal brackets or wires in photos
- Removable: take them out to eat, brush, and floss normally
- No food restrictions: popcorn, corn on the cob, and gum are all still yours
- Comfortable: smooth plastic with no wires to poke the cheek
- Predictable planning: digital treatment planning shows the projected result before you start
- Fewer emergency visits: nothing to come loose at nine o’clock on a school night
Who is a good candidate for Invisalign?
Teens and adults with mild to moderate crowding, spacing or bite problems who will wear aligners about 22 hours a day are usually good candidates. Dr. Esposito at Sunset Children’s Dentistry confirms fit at a free consultation.
Aligner treatment looks different for a fourteen-year-old than for a thirty-five-year-old. These are the questions each group tends to ask first.
STEP 1
Free Consultation
Dr. Esposito evaluates whether your case is a good aligner candidate. Not every case is, and you will get a straight answer rather than a sales pitch. If aligners will not deliver the result you want, we will say so.
STEP 2
Digital Scan and Treatment Plan
A 3D scan replaces the old putty impressions entirely. From it, we map the sequence of movements and can show you the projected result before you commit. You will also get the full cost and timeline at this visit.
STEP 3
Wearing Your Aligners
Your trays arrive and we fit the first set, placing small tooth-colored attachments if your plan needs them. You will switch trays every one to two weeks at home and see us roughly every six to ten weeks to confirm tracking.
STEP 4
Refinement and Retention
Near the end, we assess whether a short refinement series would sharpen the result — this is common and usually included. Then retainers are fitted to hold everything in place.
What are the benefits of Invisalign for teens?
Clear aligners are hard to see, come out for meals and brushing, and have no wires to break. Sunset Children’s Dentistry tracks progress at each visit to keep treatment on schedule.
Aligners change the treatment experience as much as the result.
Eat What You Love
Trays come out for meals, so nothing is off the menu. This is the single biggest quality-of-life difference from fixed braces, and the one teenagers mention first.
Brush and Floss Normally
Because there are no brackets to clean around, oral hygiene during treatment stays exactly as it was. That lowers the risk of the white-spot decalcification marks that poor brushing around braces can leave behind.
Professional Appearance
Adults can straighten their teeth without visible hardware in client meetings, interviews, or photographs. For many patients this is the reason they finally start treatment at all.
Fewer Disruptions
No loose brackets and no poking wires means fewer unscheduled visits. For families juggling school, work, and a drive across town, that convenience adds up over two years.
Why Choose Sunset Children’s Dentistry for Your Invisalign Treatment?
Patients choose Sunset Children’s Dentistry for Invisalign because treatment is planned by board-certified orthodontist Dr. Christine Esposito, and the first consultation is free.
Aligner treatment is only as good as the plan behind it. The trays are manufactured by Invisalign, but the sequence of movements, the attachment placement, and the decision about whether aligners suit your case at all are the orthodontist’s work.
Dr. Christine Esposito is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics who completed her residency at UNC Chapel Hill. She personally plans every case for patients choosing clear aligners in Lexington, SC.
- Board-certified orthodontist: Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
- Specialist-planned cases: every treatment sequence designed by an orthodontist
- Digital 3D scanning: no putty impressions
- Honest candidacy assessment: we recommend braces when braces are the better tool
- One location for orthodontics and pediatric dental care
- Transparent pricing including refinements and retainers
Dr. Christine Esposito
Board-certified Orthodontist in Lexington, SC
Frequently Asked Questions
What Lexington patients ask most before starting clear aligners.
Explore Costs & Affordability
Invisalign cost at Sunset Children’s Dentistry depends on the case. The full cost, timeline, insurance and payment options are explained at the free consultation.
Aligner pricing, including Invisalign teen cost, should not be a mystery until you are already in the chair. We quote the full cost — including any refinement trays and your retainers — before treatment begins.
Payment Plans
Monthly payment plans spread cost across the treatment period.
Areas We Serve Near Lexington, SC
Teens and adults come to us for Invisalign from across Lexington County and the Midlands, including:
- Lexington, SC (our office at 5080 Sunset Blvd)
- West Columbia & Columbia
- Red Bank
- Oak Grove
- Gilbert
Looking for clear aligners in Lexington, SC? Dr. Christine Esposito, a board-certified orthodontist, plans every aligner case herself and checks progress in person at our Sunset Blvd office, so your teen is not left managing trays alone. Families from Irmo, Columbia and West Columbia are a short drive away. If aligners are not the best fit for the bite, she will tell you and walk you through braces for kids and teens instead.