The process of invisalign is an orthodontic process to fix your teeth alignment. Before knowing more about the invisalign process step by step, you should know the answer of “what is orthodontics”?
Invisalign process is the most popular teeth straightening method without braces. If you are looking for teeth straightening without braces then you should be aware of the invisalign treatment process along with its procedures, timeline and refinement process etc.
In this comprehensive guide, you are going to learn everything about invisalign from a beginner to advanced level. Keep reading.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a mixture of two words – invisible and aligner. It is an invisible teeth aligner that is used to fix the teeth alignment without being noticed over teeth. Invisalign aligners function is the same as braces – to put continuous pressure on the misaligned teeth, so they may slide to their ideal positions over time. Invisalign is a clear transparent tray that fits over teeth and it is not awkwardly visible as braces.
How Long Is Invisalign Treatment?
It depends on the severity of the teeth misalignment; however, an invisalign may take around 12-15 months on average to make your teeth properly aligned according to their specific ideal positions. You may need to go for several rounds of invisible trays once the existing invisalign gets loosen or stained.
Furthermore, if you want a quick turnaround, you need to keep wearing it for most of the time – 18-20 hours a day. You may remove this clear aligner while eating or sleeping.
How Long Does It Take to Make Invisalign Trays?
Making a perfect invisalign for a specific patient is an important step in the invisalign process timeline. It may take a few hours to properly scan your teeth and jaw positions, so your orthodontist may make the best customized invisalign for your specific case.
Once the scans are done, your perfectly fit invisalign may be ready within 1-2 weeks depending upon the experience of your orthodontist plus its specific instruments.
Invisalign Process Step-by-Step
A complete invisalign treatment process consists of several invisalign procedures that are performed step-by-step to fix your misaligned teeth.
Let’s have a look at the complete invisalign process timeline step by step.
1. Consultation
The very first procedure in an invisalign treatment process timeline is obviously the consultation. It is your first interaction with the orthodontist where you show willingness to go with the invisalign treatment to avoid the visibility and pain caused by the braces.
Beware! Invisalign treatment may seem attractive and feasible but it is not a viable option for everyone. There are some certain pros and cons of the invisalign treatment process and you may consult them with your orthodontist. Furthermore, it is a huge responsibility to keep wearing an invisalign for 18-20 hours a day knowing that you can remove them anytime.
2. Scheduling
Once your orthodontist thinks that you are qualified for an invisalign then the next step in the invisalign treatment timeline is scheduling. Your orthodontist may create a proper schedule for your orthodontic treatment step by step after consulting your routine. You must be open with your orthodontist about your preferred schedule because you may need to visit the dental clinic off and on for the teeth-scanning and trays-upgrading.
3. Scanning
Once all invisalign treatment procedures are scheduled then the very first step in an invisalign treatment timeline is the teeth scanning. Your teeth are properly scanned by X-rays and some advanced 3-D machines, so you may be provided with the most suitable invisalign tray for your specific case.
4. Invisalign Wearing
Once you are given the customized invisalign tray then the main invisalign process begins. You are supposed to keep wearing it for most of the time. You may wear it off during eating, brushing, flossing and sleeping. Besides that, you should keep wearing it to have a quick turnaround.
5. Invisalign Upgrading
Continuous invisalign refinement process is a necessary step to get the most out of the invisalign treatment process. On average, you are supposed to change your invisalign tray, after every two weeks, with a new customized tray to keep pushing your misaligned teeth with full force to move them into their ideal positions.
What Is Invisalign Refinement?
Invisalign refinement is the fine tuning of the assigned aligners to a certain patient. It is an important procedure in a complete invisalign treatment plan. If your current aligner is not giving the expected output even after two weeks then your specific invisalign surely needs to be refined.
In the invisalign refinement process, your teeth and your invisalign are digitally scanned and they are compared with each other using recent technologies to point out the flaws in your current invisalign.
Furthermore, a refined version of your invisalign is also prepared with the help of advanced 3-D modelers and it is made sure that a newer refined version of your invisalign is gonna give you ideal results for sure.
How Long Does Invisalign Last For?
A complete invisalign treatment may take 12-15 months to fully align your teeth by exerting continuous pressure from clear trays mapped according to your teeth. In this complete invisalign treatment timeline, you are supposed to have multiple invisalign trays according to the ever changing scanned results of your teeth.
Each specific invisalign tray is supposed to last for 2-3 weeks. Then you may have to go for an invisalign refinement process and you may need to wear a newly customized tray for the next 2-3 weeks and so on.
Takeaways
- Invisalign treatment is an alternative to braces treatment to fix your misaligned teeth. It is preferred by teenagers because invisalign is supposed to be invisible aligners while braces are awkwardly visible.
- It is preferred by everyone but it is not suitable for everyone because it needs to be worn all day plus it may get stained quickly due to smoking or consuming colored beverages.
- A complete invisalign treatment in Glen Burnie MD involves scanning your teeth, preparing customized invisible trays for your teeth, keep wearing them for 18 hours a day and upgrading trays according to the ever changing teeth scans.
- Your each invisalign tray is supposed to be refined after two weeks and a whole invisalign procedure may take up to 12-15 months depending on the severity of your misaligned teeth.
Thanks for helping me understand that Invisalign services will treat our teeth for 12 to 15 months which can align them with continuous pressure. I have been thinking about getting my lower set of teeth aligned ever since I was a teen. But I only have the resources to afford this now that I am an adult, so I hope that the issue can still be fixed even if I am older now.
I appreciate it when you explained that Invisalign treatment may not be for everyone even though it is an attractive and feasible option. Because of that, it must be important to see a dentist first before deciding if you are going to get that kind of treatment and have your hopes up. I will share this information with my cousin who has crooked teeth and the front lower part of her mouth which she has been insecure with ever since we were teenagers. And I definitely hope that she will be a good candidate for Invisalign to finally get her dream smile and boost her confidence in the future.