Many people who want a straighter smile are eager to avoid the frustration of having metal brackets bonded to their teeth. If you want to avoid braces, you might consider Invisalign instead.
This treatment relies on a series of plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth to move them to their ideal places. They’re typically worn for 20 to 22 hours daily for a week or two before switching to the next pair in your plan. However, if your teeth aren’t shifting as intended, you might require refinements. Continue reading to learn more about what this involves!
Why Did My Dentist Recommend Invisalign Refinements?
Invisalign is an incredibly popular alternative to traditional orthodontics because the smooth plastic material is considered much less intrusive. Firstly, it won’t gauge the tender tissues inside your mouth, making it more comfortable. Plus, it’s removable, so you don’t have to worry about dietary restrictions. Finally, this method is more visually appealing because it allows your natural smile to shine through.
However, your Invisalign trays are all designed in advance, meaning your treatment plan can be disrupted if you have stubborn teeth that don’t budge. In these cases, your provider must adjust your plan to compensate. You might also require changes if you don’t meet the wear-time requirements and fall behind your original schedule.
What Are Invisalign Refinements?
According to some studies, an estimated 80% to 90% of Invisalign patients reach their goals within 12 to 18 months. The remaining cases require modifications to the original digital plan for treatment to be successful. This involves adding additional trays to your initial series to account for any teeth that haven’t moved as anticipated. Each is carefully designed to exert the right amount of pressure to shift each pearly white to its ideal placement.
How Do Invisalign Refinements Work?
To create these extra trays, your provider must examine your mouth to determine what changes are needed. Then, they’ll carefully make new virtual impressions of your teeth to account for your progress. These 3D scans and images are sent to Invisalign’s special software to design and create additional aligners to include in your wear-time schedule. After that, you’ll receive each refinement with instructions on when to wear them to get back on track with your treatment timeline.
It’s normal to experience some soreness or sensitivity when switching to the new trays until your pearly whites adjust to the change in pressure. If you experience prolonged or severe aches, please contact your provider to ensure your orthodontics fit correctly!
Meet the Author
Dr. Jay Lopez is devoted to helping people improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Colorado Health Science Center School of Dentistry and has pursued in-depth training in various topics like dental implants, aesthetic services, and Invisalign. Today, he offers a comprehensive menu of services at one convenient location to meet even your unique needs. He combines a caring approach with state-of-the-art equipment to improve your comfort while delivering accurate results meant to last. If you are interested in Invisalign, you can request an appointment on the website or call (520) 886-8090.