The Invisalign Process in Langley
With their convenient, customized, clear aligners, Invisalign takes a different approach to straighten teeth. Learn about what to expect during your Invisalign process at Langley Orthodontics.
Step 1: Talk to Your Orthodontist
The orthodontists on our Langley team are Invisalign providers. They will evaluate your needs and determine whether Invisalign is right for you. During your first consultation, we will discuss your case in detail to determine if you're a good candidate for Invisalign. Invisalign can be used to treat a variety of orthodontic cases, from simple to more complex. This first consultation will be your opportunity to ask any questions about Invisalign, costs, dental/orthodontic insurance, or any other concerns related to the Invisalign treatment process at our Langley office.
Some of the most commonly asked questions include:
- What is the cost of Invisalign?
- How long will treatment take?
- What lifestyle changes will I need to make?
Step 2: A Customized Treatment Plan is Created for You
The Langley Orthodontics team will take X-rays, pictures and impressions of your teeth. These will be used to create a digital 3-D image of your mouth, based on which your orthodontist will map out your personalized treatment plan, the movements of your teeth, and the approximate length of treatment. Using the same technology, we will create a virtual representation of how your teeth will move with each stage of treatment.
Although every patient is unique, treatment will last approximately a year for adults. For teens, the treatment time is comparable to that of braces. The length of your treatment varies based on various factors, such as the complexity of your orthodontic issues, the current health of your teeth and gums, and how diligent you are with wearing your aligners, maintaining oral hygiene, and attending regular checkups.
Step 3: Receive Your Custom Aligners Based On Your Personalized Treatment Plan
A series of custom-made, clear aligners will be created specifically for you. These aligners are made of a smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic that can be less irritating to your cheeks and gums than traditional metal braces. This is because there are no brackets or other pieces that stick out, which may rub against the soft tissues. You'll wear them throughout the day and remove them to eat and to brush and floss your teeth.
While this provides more flexibility in your lifestyle compared to traditional braces, you will need to ensure that you wear them for at least 20 hours each day to achieve the desired outcome. As you progress to each new set of aligners, your teeth will slowly begin to shift into place. And because they're made of clear plastic, making them appear nearly invisible when worn, you'll find that many people might not even notice you're wearing them. This allows you to achieve your new, healthy-looking smile – discreetly.
Step 4: Wear a New Aligner Every Two Weeks
Every two weeks or so, you will begin wearing a new set of aligners and advance to the next stage of your treatment. Each tray is designed to move your teeth to a new position gradually while providing adequate time for the hard and soft tissue to adjust to the new position of your teeth.
You will also attend occasional checkups with your orthodontist to monitor your progress about every six weeks or so. As mentioned above, you should wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day throughout your entire treatment. Compliance with this will help you achieve the best results and the most timely outcome. Using clear aligners also allows you to see how much closer you are to your straight new smile in real-time with no wires or brackets in view.
Step 5: Reveal Your New Smile & Keep It Looking Great
It's an exciting day when you reach the end of treatment! At your final appointment in the treatment process for Invisalign, the dental professionals at Langley Orthodontics will determine if you will need to wear a retainer for a period of time to help keep your teeth in their new position. You may continue to have check-up appointments after you complete your Invisalign treatment. These visits will allow your orthodontist to monitor the outcome of your treatment and ensure that there are no other possible issues that need to be addressed.