Like many, you probably know Invisalign is a great way to get straight teeth. The treatment can align your crooked grin without the hassle of brackets and wires! With that said, are you aware of the exact steps of the Invisalign process? Knowing these actions makes aligner work easier, so you’d do well to learn about them. If that sounds good to you, keep reading to find out the five key steps to an Invisalign procedure.
Step 1: Attend a Consultation
Just as other dental services do, Invisalign starts with a brief consultation. This session lets you and your dentist settle whether clear aligners suit you.
Put another way, the consultation covers what you want from Invisalign. Since clear aligners can’t fix every orthodontic issue, your dentist will see if the trays will meet your needs. That means they may conclude you’d be better off with a different treatment.
Step 2: Offer Diagnostic Records
If your dentist thinks you qualify for Invisalign, they’ll gather extra details from you. These extra bits of information are often called “diagnostic records.”
It isn’t hard for dentists to gather diagnostic records for you. To do so, they typically take photos and digital X-rays of your crooked teeth with a scanner. A dentist will then use insights from these images to design and create your aligner trays.
Step 3: Get Your Aligners
Once they’ve made your trays, your dentist will move to the third step of the Invisalign process. This phase refers to actually getting and “trying on” your aligners.
You’ll attend a placement visit when your clear aligners first arrive. At that session, the dentist will have you wear your trays to see if they fit correctly. They’ll then make last-minute adjustments so the aligners work as intended.
Step 4: Have Follow-up Visits
You won’t simply do treatment “on your own” after your placement visit. For the fourth step of the Invisalign process, you’ll see your dentist periodically for follow-up visits.
Rest assured that the follow-up visits are quick and easy. They only last about ten to fifteen minutes, and your dentist uses that time to see if your treatment is going well. If everything is proceeding properly, you’ll head back home to wear the next set of aligners.
Step 5: Use Your Retainer
When you’ve finished wearing the Invisalign trays, you’ll shift to the last phase of treatment. In other words, you’ll consistently use a retainer to preserve your straight smile.
A retainer shouldn’t prove too troublesome for you. While you may wear it constantly at first, you’ll eventually transition to only wearing the device at night. The retainer will then keep your teeth from shifting back to crooked positions.
Now that you know the steps of the Invisalign process, you can prepare for treatment. However, don’t hesitate to ask your dental provider for more help.
About the Practice
Island Coast Dentistry is based in Naples, FL. Led by Dr. Jeffrey Skupny, our practice is always eager to provide patients with quality dental care. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dentistry for dire cases. This far-reaching range of options ensures your whole family has thriving teeth and gums you’ll love! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (239)-261-5566.