Sometimes, your misaligned smile needs an extra boost to reach the treatment finish line. This is where Invisalign refinements come in. As you grow closer to completion, these additional aligners help fine-tune the details that will make your new smile look and feel like never before. But are these extra trays always necessary? Why might your orthodontist recommend them? Continue reading to get the answers to these questions and more.
What Are Invisalign Refinements?
As hard as you and your orthodontist try to keep your teeth moving, some are more stubborn than others. That’s why Invisalign refinements are recommended. These bonus aligners target teeth that don’t seem to shift as fast. They can help close a minor gap, correct bite issues, or encourage teeth to move into their final position.
Why Would an Orthodontist Recommend Invisalign Refinements?
Not all patients need Invisalign refinements, but if you do, don’t be upset. Everyone’s teeth move at different speeds, and your orthodontist cannot always predict what will happen. Needing additional support from these extra aligners will put your smile in its rightful place, leaving you happier with your results.
Your orthodontist will recommend refinements if they:
- Discover you’re not wearing your trays enough. If you’re not meeting the 20- 22-hour wear time, your teeth won’t shift correctly.
- Notice certain teeth are not moving as fast as others. This is common and requires additional time wearing aligners to encourage these teeth to reposition.
- Need to adjust the original treatment plan because of how your teeth have moved. This might include changing the final position of your new smile.
How Does the Invisalign Refinement Process Work?
You need Invisalign refinements, so how do they work? What can you expect? The answer is a simple process that you’ll be glad you agreed to once you see your results:
- Step 1: Evaluation – Your orthodontist will assess your smile and determine what, or if anything, needs to be fixed or adjusted.
- Step 2: New Aligners – Your orthodontist will order new aligners that focus solely on tweaking any minor issues. Don’t worry; they will look and feel like your other Invisalign trays.
- Step 3: Wear Time – You’ll follow the same daily wear time (20-22 hours) when wearing your Invisalign refinements.
- Step 4: Close Monitoring – You’ll need to keep your follow-up appointments with your orthodontist to ensure everything is progressing as it should.
Depending on the adjustments you need, you may only need a few aligners. You may also need to wear additional trays for several months before you see a straighter smile.
Don’t be dismayed if you need a few extra aligners. Invisalign refinements can help your teeth hit the mark so that your smile appears polished and brand new in the end.
About the Practice
A team of board-certified orthodontists leads Treehouse Orthodontics. Specializing in all types of braces and appliances, we make it easy for patients to pursue straighter smiles. If Invisalign is your preferred option for correcting an overbite, crooked teeth, or a large gap, visit our website or call one of our offices to schedule a consultation.