Clear aligner process — The Hague patient guide

The aligner journey is more predictable once you know the stages it moves through. For The Hague patients, it makes comparing what different providers include much easier. Each stage below has its own timeline and clinical requirements.

Aligner Treatment Timeline in The Hague

Mild-to-moderate crowding or spacing is often suitable for clear aligners, while more complex cases are more commonly recommended fixed braces. Treatment duration for suitable cases ranges from 3 months for mild presentations to 18+ months for comprehensive full-arch treatment. A photo assessment is a practical first step to get an early indication of suitability, likely treatment duration, and case complexity before attending any in-person consultation.

Provision in The Hague varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. Census 2021 counts 1,628 residents in the neighbourhood around The Hague: 30.3% aged 25 to 49 and 7.9% aged 16 to 24. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (12), The Hague has more choice than 79% of towns in England. By ONS classification, The Hague falls under urban: Nearer to a major town or city. By national deprivation ranking, The Hague is roughly mid-table for England. For NHS dental services, The Hague falls under NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. For hospital-based orthodontic care, The Hague is about 10 miles from Manchester University Dental Hospital in Manchester. The Hague's under-16 share sits at 15.8%, per the 2021 Census. OHID data for this ICB shows 30.4% of 5-year-olds with visible dental decay. DfE figures put 106 schools and 37,051 pupils across The Hague's Local Authority. See local practice availability in The Hague →

Stage 1 — Initial Assessment

The journey in The Hague usually opens with an assessment — a photo-based remote review or an in-person exam. Remotely, you get an early read on suitability and complexity before paying for anything; in person, the clinician takes X-rays, checks bite, jaw and gums, and scans or photographs your teeth. This stage decides whether aligners are appropriate and how complex the case is.

Stage 2 — Digital Treatment Planning

Next comes the digital plan: a 3D model from your scan is used to choreograph each tray's movement, typically with a simulated end result you can preview. This is your chance to interrogate the plan before anything is manufactured.

Stage 3 — Manufacture and Delivery

Approve the plan and manufacture starts — typically 3-6 weeks. Fitting bonds any attachments the plan needs and gets your first trays in, along with clear guidance on wear hours, when to move to the next tray, and how to keep them clean.

Stage 4 — Active Treatment and Reviews

From here it's tray after tray, each worn for its set period, with reviews in The Hague roughly every 6-12 weeks to confirm tracking and catch anything not moving to plan. The whole active phase runs anywhere from 3 months to 18-plus depending on complexity.

Stage 5 — Refinements

Don't be surprised by a refinement round — most cases need one. A new scan and revised plan produce a short additional tray series to finish what the first series didn't quite complete; comprehensive fees usually include this, but it's worth confirming.

Stage 6 — De-bond and Retainers

At the finish, the attachments come off and retainers are fitted immediately — typically a fixed wire and a night-time clear retainer. From here retention never really ends; consistent wear is what stops the teeth drifting back.

Frequently Asked Questions — How Aligners Work in The Hague