Invisalign has taken the world of modern dentistry by storm! These awesome clear aligners can reshape smiles in a convenient and discreet manner, without any of the discomforts of traditional braces. However, if you’re nearing the finish line of your Invisalign journey, you might need Invisalign refinements to keep things on track. Here’s more about why these are often a crucial part of ensuring your treatment’s success!
What Are Invisalign Refinements?
The Invisalign process is often much shorter than the timeline for traditional orthodontic treatment. The clear aligners normally take anywhere from 12 – 18 months to realign crooked teeth, while braces generally take longer. However, the length of the Invisalign process can also greatly vary, and it has a lot to do with a patient’s willingness to comply with the recommended 22-hours-per-day wear time.
In any case, sometimes a little extra help is needed toward the end of the Invisalign process, which is where refinements come into play. These are more-or-less just extra sets of Invisalign trays that are meant to “refine” your smile as needed; they don’t add anything new to your treatment, per se, and they’re virtually the same as the trays you’ve been wearing.
Why Might I Need Invisalign Refinements?
It’s worth noting that if you need Invisalign refinements, you haven’t failed your treatment! Sometimes teeth are stubborn, and even if you and your provider have mapped out an ideal treatment plan, it might still need a little further finetuning later on. This means that even if you comply perfectly with your treatment guidelines, you might still end up needing refinements. Here are a few possible explanations:
- Not wearing your aligners for the correct amount of time every day.
- Going through a long period without wearing your aligners.
- Having teeth move differently than anticipated, which is sometimes completely out of your control.
In any case, if you do end up needing refinements, it’s absolutely crucial that you adhere to your treatment guidelines, maintain excellent oral hygiene, and ask your orthodontist if you have any questions or encounter any problems with your progress.
About the Practice
Here at Simply Orthodontics, we’re excited to bring families in Holliston and the surrounding area an unrivaled level of high-quality care. Under the leadership of Dr. Alan Carlotto and Dr. Sam Alkhoury, we’re thrilled to offer a wide range of orthodontic treatments including Invisalign for those who wish to straighten and strengthen their smiles. If you have any questions about the blog or you or a loved one wishes to schedule an Invisalign consultation, feel free to contact us online or by phone today for more information: (508) 429-7800.