Since Invisalign has been around for over two decades and is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments, there’s a good chance you already know a bit about it, including that the aligners are clear and the average treatment timeline is only 12-18 months. But what does the Invisalign treatment process entail? What can you expect throughout your teeth-straightening journey? If you’ve been asking questions like these, then read on!
Step #1: Booking a Consultation
The very first step of the entire treatment process is booking a consultation with an experienced, talented, and caring orthodontist. During your appointment, they will cover a lot of ground – from reviewing your dental history and determining the severity of your case to getting to know you and your smile goals. Then, they can determine if Invisalign is right for you!
Step #2: Solidifying the Details of Your Treatment Plan
Simply put, no two Invisalign treatment plans are exactly the same! Your orthodontist will need to determine important factors, like how many aligners need to be made and how long you will wear each one before progressing to the next set in the series. Before your custom trays are made, they will review all of the details with you and answer any questions you have as well.
Step #3: Wearing Your Aligners
The Invisalign treatment process becomes very real for patients when they get their first set of aligners. At your appointment, your orthodontist will show you how to care for them, review when to take them off, and provide you with helpful tips on navigating life with Invisalign. Since the aligners are see-through and removable, it won’t be long before you start to see improvements!
Step #4: Attending Progress Visits
One of the many perks of Invisalign is that there aren’t monthly adjustment appointments. There are, however, progress visits that are typically scheduled every 6-8 weeks. That way, your dentist can monitor the movement of your teeth with updated scans. Typically, these appointments are pretty short (about 20 minutes) so you’ll spend considerably less time in the treatment chair overall.
Step #5: Creating Your Retainer
You might think that once you’ve progressed through your entire series of Invisalign aligners you’re done. That’s not the case; your orthodontist needs to take your final scans so a custom retainer can be made. This small orthodontic device is important because it helps prevent orthodontic relapse, which is when your teeth move out of their properly aligned positions. So, wear it as instructed!
About the Practice
Our team at Ludlow Orthodontics wants to make the entire Invisalign treatment process as convenient as possible. That’s why we use 100% digital impressions, we are open five days a week, and we offer multiple payment options. We’re also here to help if you have any questions or you’re ready to schedule a consultation, so don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (413) 547-0300.
