Invisalign is a preferred method of orthodontic treatment for many patients who want to avoid bulky, shiny metal braces. Their flexibility and easy-to-maintain design make them popular among patients of all ages, as they offer a more user-friendly and enjoyable way to straighten misaligned teeth. But what does the process of receiving and wearing these clear aligners look like? How long does Invisalign take? These are the kind of questions that will be answered if you keep reading to discover the step-by-step procedure that is required to achieve successful results.
Invisalign: The Start-to-Finish Process
What does it take to see beautiful, perfectly aligned teeth with Invisalign? Here is a brief breakdown of the steps that are required:
Initial Consultation
The first step is to meet with your Invisalign dentist in Richardson for an initial consultation. This visit will include having digital images taken of your smile and determining the kind of alignment issues you are experiencing.
Invisalign is known to address overcrowding, gaps, and various forms of malocclusion (bite misalignment), so your dentist will build a treatment plan that works for you.
Fitting Your Aligners
After taking impressions of your teeth and sending them to the lab for creation, you will return to your dentist’s office to be fitted for your aligners. This process can take several weeks; however, once they arrive, you will receive your trays and learn how to wear them correctly, when to remove them, how to clean them, and where to store them to prevent loss or damage.
You’ll need to wear your trays 20-22 hours a day for 1-2 weeks before switching them out for the next set in the series.
Follow-Up Appointments
Throughout treatment, you’ll be required to maintain regular follow-up appointments with your dentist. This allows them to examine the status of your tooth movement and determine if everything is moving along correctly.
There is no wire to tighten or replace, only a careful evaluation to make sure your smile is on its way to better alignment.
Potential Refinement
Although not all patients require refinement, you might need one. This requires making a few adjustments to your treatment plan to make sure your teeth achieve the desired placement. There are times when additional correction is required, especially if it is not completely clear how your teeth will move at certain points during treatment.
This process will require a new scan of your teeth so that refinement trays can be crafted for you.
Retainer Wear
After your aligners shift your teeth into their desired location, you will no longer be required to wear your Invisalign trays. Instead, you’ll switch to the retention phase, which means you’ll need to wear a retainer.
Similar to an Invisalign aligner, this device is custom-made to keep your teeth in their new location. Failing to wear it can cause your smile to revert to its original position; however, by wearing your retainer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week initially, your pearly whites will integrate with the bone and become established.
Eventually, you may only need to wear your retainer a few times a week at night.
Many patients appreciate how easy it is to live with Invisalign, so now that you understand what is expected at each stage of treatment, you can feel more confident following these steps to achieve beautiful, perfectly aligned teeth.
About the Author
Dr. Mansi Talsania earned her dental degree at Loma Linda University in 2012 before joining her husband, Dr. Siddharth Talsania, to provide one-of-a-kind care at Richland Dental. As a second-generation dentist, she possesses the knowledge and skills to provide Invisalign clear aligner treatment to patients who want a straighter smile without the use of metal. If you are thinking about orthodontics but want a clearer way to achieve beautiful results, contact us at (972) 200-8006.