As part of my training, I attended the Invisalign training centre in Birmingham. This was a weekend course learning about the Invisalign system and how patients can get straight teeth and their desired smile.
Invisalign is a unique system which produces bespoke plastic aligners for each individual. Prior to having the aligners made, impressions or a scan of your teeth are taken and sent off to the Invisalign technicians who use intelligent computer software to construct your smile. This scan is known as a ‘Clincheck,’ and aims to show what the teeth will look like at the END of treatment.
The technicians typically send the Clincheck back to me within 2 weeks where I can then go through the scan with the patient. At this stage, we can make modifications to the smile and provide thorough instructions to the technicians. Once we are happy with the smile, I approve the Clincheck and the Invisalign retainers are made
The software gives the patient an idea of the length of treatment and the number of aligners needed to move the teeth in a predicatable fashion. I usually advise patients to change the aligners every week. Therefore, if 14 aligners are made for you….then your treatment SHOULD last 14 weeks.
I always consent my patients to wearing their Invisalign retainers for longer – we may require additional retainers to really ‘fine tune’ the position of the teeth. If I really want further precise positioning, I can even place a fixed brace or lingual braces to help in the last it of movement. This is dependant on each case.
I also inform patients that the Clincheck is a PREDICTION rather than what the teeth will definitely look like as it’s important to manage expectations. Additionally, Inivsalign allows patients to remove the retainers as and when they please. This is an advantage and disadvantage – If you don not wear your Invisalign aligners….you’re teeth will not move!
That being said, there’s a reason Invisalign has become a powerhouse in orthodontics….and that’s because they are discreet, removable and help in tooth movement.
If you are interested in having Invisalign or orthodontic treatment delivered by a specialist orthodontist based in Wolverhampton, feel free to message me.
