Before embarking on any orthodontic treatment plan, it is essential to be fully prepared for what lies ahead. Proper education ahead of starting the treatment can help to ensure that you are fully on board with the treatment plan. This can improve treatment outcomes and ensure that you are satisfied with the outcome.
With this in mind, we’re exploring what you can expect from the Invisalign treatment process, every step of the way. Armed with this knowledge, you can determine if Invisalign is right for you, or if another treatment plan might be more suited to your preferences and lifestyle.
The Invisalign consultation
All treatment starts with a consultation to learn more about you and your orthodontic requirements. During this consultation, your dentist will scan your teeth and then use special software to show you what your smile could look like after treatment. This is an important part of the consultation process as it will allow you to become fully invested in the end result.
Treatment timing
Invisalign treatment could be completed in as little as 6 months if you have a fairly simple alignment issue. For more complex cases, it could take up to 2 years. Since the aligners are nearly invisible and you don’t have to change your diet, most people don’t mind the longer treatment times. You will quickly become accustomed to wearing the aligners, so the treatment timeÂ
Wearing your first aligner
If you decide to go ahead with treatment, you will receive a full case of aligners for the entire treatment plan. Your dentist will teach you how to insert and remove your aligners, as it can take a bit of time to get the hang of this.
When you start wearing your aligners, the first few days can feel a little strange. Your speech might sound a little different and you might take a bit of time to get used to having the aligners on your teeth.
You will very quickly get used to wearing your aligners and taking care of them every day. You’ll remove them to eat and drink anything other than water. You will also have to clean them twice a day, usually leaving them to soak while you are brushing your teeth.
Moving through your aligner series
Every 10-14 days, you will need to move to the next aligner in the case. It’s essential that you wear each aligner for a minimum of 22 hours per day, or you may find that your teeth aren’t ready for the aligner change. This could make treatment more uncomfortable, and it could cause the treatment to fail entirely. You will visit the dentist regularly throughout your treatment, so if anything is causing you problems, you’ll have a chance to ask questions and put your mind at ease.
Finishing your treatment
When you reach the final aligner in your series, your teeth will finally have reached perfect alignment. At this stage, you can return to the dentist for one final checkup. There are a few treatments you might request at the end of your treatment plan.
The first is a dental hygienist cleaning. This can help you to feel more confident in your smile and remove any traces of Invisalign attachments that might be left on your teeth. You could also opt for teeth whitening to help make your smile look even more dazzling.
Another popular treatment after Invisalign would be composite bonding. Your teeth might be aligned perfectly, but you could still have asymmetries and imperfections due to enamel erosion or chips in your teeth.
And finally, your dentist will also arrange for a retainer to be made that you can wear at night time. Retainers are just like an Invisalign aligner, but instead of moving your teeth, their only goal is to keep your teeth in the same position.
Ready to get started with treatment?
If you’re curious to know how Invisalign could transform your smile, book a consultation with our team today. We can guide you through the process from start to finish so you can feel empowered every step of the way. And if Invisalign isn’t right for your case, we can help to advise on alternative ways to achieve a perfect smile.