Are you halfway through Invisalign treatment and feel your perfect alignment is still so far away? Are you concerned that your smile is not as far along as it should be? You’re not delusional (at least, not about this)! Your teeth might not be where they should be, but that’s okay. It just means we might need to add Invisalign refinement to your treatment. Before we dive into what an Invisalign refinement is, let’s first review what Invisalign is.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth using a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners. Unlike the brackets and wires of traditional braces, Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, making them a popular choice for teens and adults who want to improve their smile discreetly. Plus, they’re removable, so you can take them out when eating, brushing, or flossing—no need to adjust your routine or give up your favorite foods.
How Does Invisalign Work?
The Invisalign process is simple but effective. When you start treatment, you’ll receive a series of aligners custom-made to apply gentle, consistent pressure to specific teeth, gradually moving them into their ideal positions. Switching between them every 1-2 weeks moves your teeth closer to their ideal positions without having to adjust a wire!
Invisalign Refinements in a Nutshell
Invisalign refinements are a normal and often essential part of the treatment process.
Though Dr. Delplanche meticulously plans your treatment program and tells your teeth what to do via the aligners, some teeth still do not go where they are expected to. This is when refinements are added. (See “When Might Invisalign Refinements Be Needed?” below for more information.)
Basically, this means making some adjustments to your treatment with additional clear aligners that weren’t originally part of the plan. These additional aligners are custom-made, just like your original ones, and are designed to tackle any teeth that may have been a bit stubborn or slow to move. Refinements help ensure that every tooth ends up exactly where it’s supposed to, so your smile turns out as perfect as planned.
When Might Invisalign Refinements Be Needed?
As we said, refinement trays are needed when treatment doesn’t go according to plan. But why would your teeth deviate from the well-thought-out instructions created with state-of-the-art technology? There are a few reasons for this!
- Sometimes, certain teeth respond more slowly to the aligners than expected. This could be due to their position or simply the way your mouth reacts to treatment.
- Teeth may occasionally shift in unpredictable ways, especially in more complex cases, which can cause deviations from the original plan.
- Even when your smile is mostly on track, small areas—like a single resistant tooth or a minor gap—may need extra attention toward the end of treatment.
Fortunately, with an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Delplanche, who is skilled at handling any bumps in the road during treatment, refinement is nothing to worry about!
How Can I Avoid Needing Refinements?
A lot of the time, refinement is not caused by something you did. It’s just something that happens! However, there are some things you can do to minimize your risk of treatment going astray.
- Wear Your Aligners: If you don’t wear your aligners as Dr. Delplanche prescribes, your treatment will be disrupted, and additional aligners will likely be required to get you back on track.
- Follow Your Switching Schedule: Stick to the timeline Dr. Delplanche gives you for switching aligners—moving too fast or too slow can throw off your treatment!
- Attend Regular Checkups: Consistent appointments allow Dr. Delplanche to monitor your progress and catch any potential issues early.
- Don’t Lose Your Aligners: Do your best to keep track of your aligners, but if you find yourself missing one, give us a call for instructions. We might tell you to progress to the next tray(s), or to wear your previous aligners while we work to get you new ones. If you go too long without an aligner, we might have to add refinement trays to your program to make up for lost time and correct unplanned teeth shifting.
- Take Care of Your Aligners: Clean and store your retainers properly to avoid causing damage that makes them uncomfortable or unwearable. You should also avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures, which could warp them and affect their fit.
- You Deserve A Smile You Love.
At Delplanche Orthodontics, we’re here to make your Invisalign journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. Contact Delplanche Orthodontics in Beaverton and Lake Oswego, Oregon, today to ask any questions about Invisalign or schedule a free orthodontic consultation for yourself, your teen, or your child! Our board-certified orthodontist and dedicated team would love to help you and your loved ones start the journey to a happier, healthier smile.