When it comes to straightening teeth, Invisalign is one of the most exciting options available – and if you’re undergoing the process yourself, you’re probably enjoying all of the conveniences and benefits that come with the clear aligners. That said, it’s possible that as you near the end of your anticipated timeline, your provider might mention that you need refinements to complete your treatment. Here’s a closer look at how these refinements work.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign does the exact same job as braces, but instead of relying on metal brackets and wires, a series of clear plastic trays are used instead. These trays are custom-made for the patient’s mouth, and through a gradual series of micromovements, they shift the teeth into healthier, straighter positions. They’re worn for about 22 hours each day, and patients can remove them to eat, drink, and brush their teeth – but that’s it. About every two weeks, patients swap to a new set of trays to keep up with the movement of their teeth.
What Are Invisalign Refinements?
Invisalign refinements are nothing fancy in particular; they’re essentially extra sets of aligners, custom-made for you like your original ones, that are provided at the very tail end of your treatment. Invisalign treatment normally takes 12 – 18 months on average to complete, and in a perfect world, teeth would move exactly as needed during this time. Sometimes, a patient might be perfect about their Invisalign wear-time, but their teeth could need a little extra time and help to find their correct, straighter positions.
Invisalign refinements serve to help with this; though they might extend your treatment timeline by several weeks or months, they ensure that you’re getting the perfectly straight smile you set out for.
Can I Speed Up the Invisalign Process?
Unfortunately, the Invisalign process can’t be sped up, whether you’re starting off your treatment or wrapping things up with refinements. That said, you can do quite a bit to prevent setbacks and keep things on track so that if you do need refinements, you hopefully won’t need them for long! Some tips to keep in mind include:
- Adhere to your treatment guidelines and wear your aligners for the required 22 hours each day. Likewise, swap to your new sets of aligners as instructed.
- Keep tabs on your aligners; if even one becomes broken or lost, your treatment could be delayed.
- Practice excellent oral hygiene throughout treatment, as issues like tooth decay and gum disease might cause setbacks.
- Continue to attend your regular check-ins with your provider to ensure that things are going along as planned.
Remember, if you need Invisalign refinements, you haven’t “failed” your orthodontic treatment; in fact, your flawless end results are closer than you may realize!
About the Practice
The team at A New Smile Dental Canyon Country has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in the Santa Clarita community for several years, offering a wide range of services including orthodontic solutions like Invisalign. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment, please reach out online or by phone today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (661) 251-0480.