Will I Need to Get Invisalign Refinements?
Invisalign refinements may be given to patients who need help getting back on track.
Throughout your Invislign® treatment, you will receive several sets of new trays. Your orthodontist will typically recommend switching trays every week or two. These new sets are designed to help gradually shift your teeth back into a straighter, more aesthetically pleasing position. The treatment may feel long and tedious, but all of your hard work will be worth it in the end!
At Legacy Orthodontics, we do use this technique to help your treatment plan progress at a satisfactory rate. Known as Invisalign refinements, these extra trays are given to patients who aren’t progressing in accordance with their treatment plan. They will add a couple of extra months to your treatment, but in most cases you will not incur additional costs. Before we determine you are in need of refinements, Dr. Lombard will cover any cost or schedule implications with you so you can make an informed decision as to how to proceed.
While it can feel discouraging to learn that you need refinements, these extra trays will ultimately help you get the smile you want. Learn more about these extra trays and how they can impact your treatment plan now!
What Are Invisalign Refinements?
Invisalign refinements are essentially extra sets of trays meant to “refine” your treatment
Refinements are more common than you think.
Invisalign treatment typically takes about 12 to 18 months to complete. During this time, you need to wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day, regularly clean them, and switch your trays on time. But even with all of this work, you might still need refinements.
In a perfect world, all of your teeth would obediently move into the correct place. But, for most patients, this simply is not the case. If your orthodontist notices that your teeth aren’t moving the way they should, they will need to give you extra sets of aligners.
Process for Receiving Refinements
If we decide that refinements are appropriate for your needs, the Legacy team will perform another scan of your teeth using the iTero 3D Scanner. With these scans, we will order new aligner trays that will help push your teeth into the right position. These new trays will be similar to your old ones, and will still need to be worn at least 20 to 22 hours a day, 7 days a week.
New refinements will extend your treatment timeline anywhere from three to six months based on your smile plan, and whether you need one refinement aligner or a series of refinements.
Is it Bad if I Need Invisalign Refinements?
Getting Invisalign refinements doesn’t always indicate a personal failing on your end
Don’t be discouraged if you need refinements. You’ll be back on track before you know it!
There are numerous reasons why your orthodontist could decide to add refinements to your treatment plan. Some difficult and stubborn teeth may simply move slower than anticipated, or a patient may end up needing to undergo a dental treatment that alters the shape of their teeth. As a result, their aligners no longer fit properly. If you lose or accidentally break your aligners, you will also need to replace them. Other reasons why you might need Invisalign refinements include:
Failing to wear your aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day
Going through a long period of time without wearing your aligner due to an illness or accident
Having teeth that move differently than anticipated
Some things are out of your control, such as the speed at which your teeth move. But you can still make sure you are following best practices for wearing and taking care of your aligners.
How Can I Make Sure My Treatment Goes According to Plan?
Make sure you are following these best practices for your Invisalign treatment
Wearing your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day and switching them on time will be crucial for ensuring a successful treatment.
In order to effectively transform your smile, clear aligners need to be appropriately seated on your teeth. That’s why Dr. Lombard will recommend that you use Invisalign chewies or Movemints clear aligner mints every time you reinsert them, and especially early in a tray cycle. Gently chewing on these products will help them seat correctly, so the aligners can do their job!
Sometimes people have stubborn teeth, or one tooth in particular that doesn’t respond as well to the treatment. There’s not much you can do in these cases, and it’s why we offer refinements in the first place. But you still need to make sure you are wearing them properly and for at least 22 hours a day, change your trays in the right order, and remember to place them back into your mouth after eating or drinking. If you lose or break your aligner, you need to contact your orthodontist as soon as possible. The sooner you can get replacement aligners, the better.
Have you always wanted a straighter, more beautiful smile? Invisalign is a popular treatment option for dental patients who want to achieve a stunning, new smile without going through the pain of wearing traditional metal braces. The staff at Legacy Orthodontics can work with you and plan an effective Invisalign treatment that will give you the smile of your dreams. Contact us today to learn more about our dental services!