Since more than 17 million patients have chosen clear aligners, there’s a good chance you already know quite a bit about them, including how discreet they are. That said, it’s completely normal to have questions before signing on the dotted line, such as, “How does Invisalign work?” Below, you will find an overview of the teeth-straightening process so you have a better idea of what to expect!
Step #1: Scheduling The Consultation
Of course, the very first step of the entire process is scheduling a consultation with your orthodontist. At this visit, they will get to know you a bit better, review your dental history, take the necessary X-rays, and conduct a visual exam. Once they have an in-depth understanding of your dental needs and smile goals, they can determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign and, if you are, begin working on your custom treatment plan.
Step #2: Making the Aligners
Once the details of your treatment plan have been solidified, the process of creating your custom aligners will begin. Usually, this takes 4-6 weeks. During this time, it’s a good idea to get everything in order – from figuring out the financials to creating an on-the-go dental care kit. That way, the transition into life with clear aligners is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Step #3: Beginning Life with Braces
At your first official Invisalign appointment, your orthodontist will show you how to put your aligners on, review when to take them off, and discuss how to take care of them. Then, they will schedule your first progress visit and send you on your way with the first several sets of trays! That way, you can begin progressing through your treatment plan.
Step #4: Attending Progress Visits
The good news is that you don’t need to schedule monthly adjustment appointments with Invisalign. Instead, you’ll visit your orthodontist every 6-8 weeks so they can monitor the movement of your teeth and make sure you’re on-track with your treatment plan. If you aren’t, don’t worry – they can make the necessary adjustments to avoid significant delays.
Step #5: Wearing the Retainer
Patients often forget about the last step: the retention phase. However, this is an important part of the treatment process because – without it – your teeth could drift out of their properly aligned positions (a phenomenon known as “orthodontic relapse”). So, make sure that you wear yours as directed!
About the Practice
Although orthodontic consultations, follow-up visits, and retainer checks are a part of our daily life at Simply Orthodontics – Worcester, we recognize that’s not the case for our patients. That’s why we go above and beyond to make the entire teeth-straightening process smooth and stress-free. If you are interested in finding out if you’re a candidate for Invisalign or you have a question about life with clear aligners, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via our website or by phone at (508) 757-3173.