Key things to expect when starting treatment with Invisalign
When you are keen to start straightening your teeth as an adult, or a teenager, you may be less than enthused at the idea of needing to wear fixed metal braces.
Of course, in 2023, fixed braces are far from the only option available to help you get the straighter smile that you want.
Indeed, there are now clear fixed braces, as well as invisible aligners, with the latter being ideal for people who want to correct a minor misalignment at the front of their mouth.
So, when you come to see our team at The Dental Retreat, we will be more than happy to assess your suitability for Invisalign Macleod and will also ensure that all of the appropriate steps are taken to ensure that you get the gorgeous smile that you want and deserve.
However, you may be wondering, going into treatment with Invisalign Macleod, what it is that you can expect from the process. We will explore that query here, so you can see if these aligners are right for you. Enjoy!
Initial consultation and planning
The realignment process starts with an initial consultation with our team specialising in invisible aligner treatment at The Dental Retreat. During this appointment, we will look at your overall oral health to see if you are suited for Invisalign Macleod. If you have cavities or gum disease, then these will need to be treated first. If you are suited, we will take impressions or use an intraoral scan to create a 3D digital image of your teeth, which will be used to plan your treatment.
Custom aligners
Once the treatment plan is developed, your custom-made aligners will be created. These aligners are made from clear, BPA-free plastic, which is great for gradually shifting your teeth into their desired positions. You will receive a series of about 14 aligners, each slightly different from the other, to be worn in a specific order throughout your treatment.
Wear time and progression
You will need to wear your aligners for a certain number of hours each day, typically 20-22 hours, removing them only for eating, drinking (except for water), brushing, and flossing. Every 1-2 weeks, depending on your clinical plan, you will progress to the next set of aligners. Each new set will continue to apply gentle pressure to move your teeth incrementally.
Discomfort and adjustments
Some initial discomfort or soreness is normal during the first few days of wearing a new set of aligners. You may also experience slight changes in your speech, which will quickly improve as you adjust to the aligners. Over time, as your teeth move, you may notice gaps between teeth, which is a part of the alignment process and will be addressed with subsequent aligners.
Follow-up appointments
When you wear the aligners, you will need to see a member of our team every 6-8 weeks on average. These appointments may be in-person, but in most cases, if there is no serious issue, we can usually have them performed virtually.
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.