For patients with crooked or misaligned teeth, Invisalign is a great solution. This clear aligner system is a discreet alternative to traditional braces, allowing you to correct your smile without feeling self-conscious.
However, if you’re partway through treatment and hear that you need “refinements”, you may begin to worry. Many patients will ask: does this mean it isn’t working? The short answer is: no. Refinements are a normal, planned-for part of the Invisalign process, rather than a sign that anything has gone wrong.
What are Invisalign refinements?
A refinement is an additional clear aligner, used to fine-tune your results. While your original aligners will do most of the work in straightening your teeth, refinements allow us to make small extra adjustments. They’re the final polish that will take your smile from “nearly there” to “just what I always wanted”.
Are refinements a problem?
When we’re beginning Invisalign treatment, we’ll use digital photographs and x-rays to assess your existing bite and alignment. These then become the foundation for our future work, allowing us to predict and plan for the smile you really want.
However, teeth don’t always move in perfect harmony with a digital plan. In shifting multiple teeth, we bear in mind that some might not move entirely as expected. For this reason, refinements are built into the Invisalign process. So, if your dentist mentions a refinement, there’s no cause for concern. It’s a normal part of a very precise process.
Why do I need refinements?
There are many reasons you might need Invisalign refinements. As we know, every patient is different, and so is every dental case. Refinements might be needed because of:
- Variations in teeth and bone density;
- Complex movements such as rotations and extrusions;
- How your ligaments respond to force;
- Changes to your original plan.
Results can also be influenced by how long you wear your aligners for, according to your plan. Invisalign aligners should typically be worn for between 20 and 22 hours each day (allowing for removal for eating and teeth brushing). Wearing them for less time will affect how well your teeth track with the movements we’ve planned.
What do refinements do?
Throughout Invisalign treatment, we’ll check in on how things are going – usually every eight to 12 weeks – and review how your progress compares to the original plan. You can also track your progress at home using the My Invisalign app.
If we notice any inconsistencies in your teeth’s positioning, we may suggest a refinement. These can:
- Close remaining gaps;
- Correct small rotations in your teeth;
- Improve the accuracy of your alignment;
- Improve your bite.
How does the refinement process work?
If we identify small areas for improvement, we’ll likely suggest a refinement. To do this, we’ll take a fresh digital or physical impression of your teeth. This will capture exactly where your teeth are, compared to where we predicted they’d be. Using this information, we’ll create an updated treatment plan, setting out the remaining movements needed to reach your ideal result.
Using this, we’ll order custom-made refinement aligners. These will be worn in the same way as your original set, with changes to the next aligner as needed. The number of refinements can vary from patient to patient, depending on how much fine-tuning is required. However, refinement stages will usually be shorter than your original treatment course.
How common are Invisalign refinements?
Invisalign refinements are very common. In fact, most patients will need between one and three rounds of refinements to reach optimal results. For patients, these refinements are a positive part of the process, because they allow complete control over its eventual success. This fine-tuning is one of the reasons Invisalign is such a popular choice for orthodontic treatment.
Book an Invisalign consultation
At The Bristol Dental Practice, our consultant orthodontist, Scott Deacon, is a specialist in the Invisalign system. If you’re interested in finding out more about Invisalign, you can self-refer for a dedicated orthodontics consultation. During this meeting, we’ll assess your current position and discuss the options available to you. Whether we recommend Invisalign or a different treatment, we’ll then be able to create a plan tailored exactly to your needs.
Self-referrals can be made online, or you can give us a call on 0117 911 3705.