If you haven’t explored your orthodontic treatment options in a while, you might have been told that metal braces were the only solution. That’s no longer the case! In fact, more than 17 million patients have straightened their teeth and aligned their bites with Invisalign. If you are interested in learning more about the treatment process, here’s a quick overview.
1. Scheduling a Consultation
Of course, the very first step of the Invisalign treatment process is the consultation. This visit is crucial because – without it – there’s no way of knowing if you’re a good candidate for clear aligners! The good news is that most patients who are struggling with mild to moderate cases of malocclusion are. If that’s the case for you, then your dental team will solidify the details of your treatment plan, answer any questions you have, and begin the process of crafting your trays.
2. Wearing the Aligners
Once the lab artisans are done crafting your aligners, they will send them to your dentist’s office. When they arrive, you’ll come in for your next appointment so your dental team can show you how to put them on, how to take them off, and how to keep them stain and odor-free. Basically, they’ll review everything you need to know about day-to-day life with Invisalign! They’ll also give you several sets of trays and detailed instructions on when to start the next pair so you can progress through portions of the teeth-straightening process at home.
3. Attending Progress Visits
Although monthly adjustment appointments aren’t necessary with Invisalign, you will need to attend progress visits with your dentist every 6-8 weeks. That way, they can review the latest scans of your teeth to ensure they are responding well to the aligners. If they aren’t, they can quickly determine why that is and make the necessary changes to your treatment plan to get you back on-track.
4. Creating Refinement Trays
After you’ve worked through all of your aligners, you may absolutely love your results. If there are still a few teeth that are slightly misaligned, don’t worry – that’s where refinement trays come in. With these aligners, your dental team can make the final adjustments necessary to give you the healthy, gorgeous, and perfectly aligned smile you deserve.
5. Making a Retainer
Patients often assume that their orthodontic treatment ends once they are done with their last aligner. In reality, there’s another important step: the retention phase. This is crucial because – without a retainer – there’s a good chance that your teeth will drift back into their previous positions over time. So, if you want to preserve the time and money you invested in Invisalign, make sure to wear your retainer as directed!
About the Practice
With a dentist with over 20 years of experience and a skilled, compassionate, and talented group of dental professionals on our team, patients can confidently turn to Infinity Dental Care with all of their smile goals. If you are interested in straightening your teeth without the metal, then don’t hesitate to book an Invisalign consultation with us via our website or by phone at (503) 352-5116 so we can learn all about your dental needs. We look forward to helping you smile!