Why are regular check-ups necessary during clear aligner (Invisalign) treatment?
Why can’t I receive all the invisible aligners at the very beginning of the treatment?
This question arises legitimately, since all the Invisalign aligners have already been manufactured at the start of the treatment and are waiting in the dental office to finally carry out their task. In this article, we are going to examine this question in detail, and in the meantime, we will learn what interventions the patient can expect during the orthodontic check-ups.
Checking whether the aligners are being worn properly
At the beginning of the orthodontic treatment, I never entrust more than 4 to 6 aligners to the patient. I have a good reason for this, as at this stage the routine of wearing the orthodontic appliance has not yet developed. Although the aligners are completely aesthetic and very easy to use, one must get used to wearing them and must not forget to put them back in immediately after eating or brushing teeth. If, for some reason, this does not succeed, there is no problem, because we meet our patients relatively soon and can discuss the issues that arise and can eliminate them. One can imagine how much more time we would lose if the recall took place only every 2 or 3 months. Naturally, the most optimal solution would be if the patient called our office in case of any issue and visited us for an SOS appointment, during which we could solve the emerging problem. If at the time of the first visit I find everything in order, then at every subsequent appointment I give the patient enough aligners for at least 8 weeks. There can be exceptions to the above-mentioned time intervals in special cases, for example, for patients living abroad.
Checking the precise fit of the aligners
It is very important that every single aligner fits perfectly onto all your teeth. If this is not the case, then some kind of problem may have arisen, which must be eliminated as quickly as possible. Improper fit can have many causes. It usually indicates that the teeth are not moving according to plan. (We will discuss this problem in the next section.) Another possible reason can be damage or a defect in the material of the aligner. In such cases, replacement aligners can be ordered from the Invisalign factory within one week. Insufficient wearing time can also cause fitting issues. In this case the wearing time of each invisible aligner can be increased to 10 days or even 2 weeks. Unfortunately, it may also happen that the patient does not comply with the daily 23-hour wearing time. If so, we must draw our patient’s attention to the need for closer cooperation, as it is in their best interest that the treatment is completed as soon as possible. Of course, achieving proper cooperation requires excellent communication between patients and doctors.
Checking whether the teeth are moving according to plan
At every dental office visit we must check whether the teeth are moving according to plan. This is a simple task based on the data in the Invisalign planning software and the evaluation of the fit of the aligners. (The planning program predicts in advance which teeth are more difficult to move, so we can pay special attention to these teeth and their movements.) If we detect any deviation, we must first find the cause of the problem and then eliminate it. If, for example, there is a lack of space, then a small amount of enamel reduction will be the solution. If a tooth is difficult to rotate, we can create an extra bump in the invisible aligner, which pushes the tooth crown. To facilitate tooth movements, we can also use various types of elastic wear. These techniques are all painless, aesthetic, and effective. The most important thing for the doctor is to recognize when intervention is needed.
Checking the attachments
Attachments are tiny, aesthetic composite resin bumps bonded to the crowns of the teeth. They are absolutely essential for carrying out certain tooth movements during Invisalign aligner treatment. Since they are bonded, it may happen that they fall off during use. Fortunately, this does not pose a danger to the patient, as they are very small, but it can prevent the planned tooth movement. For this reason, it is very important that they are put back on the tooth as soon as possible. The dentist checks the attachments at every visit. Nevertheless, it is important that the patient informs us if they notice that one is missing from somewhere, because then it can be replaced as soon as possible and the treatment time will not be prolonged. You can read more about attachments and their placement in THIS article.
Tasks planned for the dentist to carry out during the treatment
There are also interventions during check-ups that must be performed according to the plan. These are included in the digital treatment plan workflow, which precisely determines the time of their execution. Such interventions may include enamel reduction on certain teeth, starting elastic wear for the purpose of bite correction or for anchorage enhancement, or placing a new attachment on a tooth whose surface previously did not have enough space. A well-planned treatment schedules these tasks for one of the check-up appointments, thus minimizing the number of visits. If you would like to know how we plan invisible orthodontic treatments, then click HERE!
Does this seem complicated? No worries, that’s why we have trained orthodontic specialists!
From the above, it is clear how important regular check-ups are and how many tasks arise at these appointments. A properly trained orthodontist is essential to know when and what must be done for the success of the treatment. You do not have to worry about any of this. All you need to do is wear the aligners properly and come to the scheduled orthodontic check-ups. If we have sparked your interest in orthodontics, then click HERE and book an appointment for a consultation.
We deduct the price of the orthodontic consultation from the price of the invisible aligners, so you receive it as a gift if you have your teeth straightened at Netfog Dental Clinic!