Are you ready to take your first steps in your journey to a straighter smile with Invisalign? Here's what you can expect from your Invisalign journey from start to finish.
Planning Your Trip: The Consultation
Step one in your Invisalign journey is scheduling a consultation with your orthodontist to find out if Invisalign is the right orthodontic treatment option to straighten your smile. During your consultation the orthodontist will complete a thorough assessment of your teeth and gums, and take impressions and digital x-rays of your teeth.
Once that's all done, your orthodontist will review your diagnosis, and discuss appropriate orthodontic treatment options with you.
Making a Reservation: The Decision
If you and your orthodontist decide that Invisalign is right for you, the orthodontist will create an animation to show you what your teeth look like at the beginning of your journey and how they could look once your Invisalign treatment is complete.
If you're happy with what you see, your orthodontist will then forward your digital impressions to the Invisalign technicians in order to create your custom-made aligners.
Hitting the Road: The Aligners
Once your aligners are ready, in about four weeks, you will return to your orthodontist's office to pick them up. While you are there, your orthodontist will check your aligners to ensure that they fit your teeth properly, and show you how to care for them.
You will need to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day, only removing them in order to eat and drink, or when it's time to clean your teeth.
Throughout your Invisalign treatment you will switch to the next set of aligners about every two weeks.
You will visit your orthodontist for brief appointments every four to six weeks to monitor your progress and make sure treatment is on track.
Reaching Your Destination: The Results
Provided that you diligently follow your orthodontist's recommendations throughout your treatment, at the end of your Invisalign journey you will be able to enjoy a new straighter smile!
After your Invisalign treatment is complete, you may require a retainer to help maintain your straight new smile, and to ensure your teeth do not shift out of their new corrected positions.
