What is Invisalign? The definition is in the name! Invisalign is clear (invisible) aligners, meant to align, or straighten your teeth. The easiest way to think about Invisalign is that they are clear, removable braces. The trays are custom fit to your mouth and you receive a sequence of trays in order to wear at home, making it a great option for busy adults. The aligners move the teeth slowly, correcting them over the course of your treatment time. Typically, Invisalign trays are worn 24/7 and only taken out when you eat/drink while in active orthodontic treatment.
You may be wondering, will keeping Invisalign longer make my teeth straighter? Not necessarily. Once your treatment is complete, it is complete. If you continue to wear the trays, your teeth will not get any straighter. If you wear your trays longer than necessary, this will not really change anything since the trays will just be holding your teeth in the same spot.
However, sometimes second Invisalign treatments are needed, which are called “refinement.” This typically happens right after you’ve finished the initial stage of treatment and you or your orthodontist still aren’t completely satisfied with the results. Sometimes, it is necessary to move a specific problem tooth or perfect the smile a little more. This is definitely worth it to do, as it’s usually included in the overall cost of your Invisalign treatment. The refinement includes an additional number of trays to wear until you are fully satisfied with the look of your smile! This would be the same thing as if your orthodontist told you you should be done with braces by a certain time, but realize you need to wear them a little longer to make your teeth look perfect.
If you don’t want your teeth to “relapse” or shift back, you need to keep up with wearing your retainer after your Invisalign treatment is complete. Your orthodontist will advise you on when your treatment is finished and order your retainers for you. After that, it is up to you to continue wearing them at night to keep your teeth straight and prevent relapsing.
If you are in the Raleigh area and are interested in Invisalign, please visit us at Gladwell Orthodontics! You can visit our website to find out more and schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you and taking care of your dental needs!
