In this day and age, pretty much everyone has heard of using clear aligners for aligning teeth. Today, Mack Orthodontics is going to give you a thorough briefing on this topic, and answer the question: How do you monitor progress using clear aligner trays?
About Invisalign and Spark
In our office, we offer both Spark and Invisalign aligners. To understand how we monitor progress with this manner of treatment, we’ll start by diving into what exactly they do.
- Correction of Orthodontic Issues: The main purpose of Invisalign and Spark is to resolve misalignment, which can exist in issues like crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, underbites, overbites, crossbites, or open bites. These can arise during childhood and worsen by adolescence.
- Gradual Movement: Like traditional braces, our clear aligners enable gentle and constant pressure to shift your teeth into desired positions. But with clear aligners, each set of trays is shaped a bit differently than the one before, which allows your teeth to move.
- Improved Oral Health: By re-aligning your teeth and jaws in a way that fits your face properly, your overall oral health can be considerably improved. You’ll find that effectively brushing and flossing reduces the risk of cavities and gum disease. Without alignment treatment, cleaning can be difficult.
- Aesthetic Appeal: One additional benefit of these treatments for many patients is that both during and after treatment, they can be happy with their appearance. Clear aligners are renowned for being nearly invisible, which is a great option for patients who would prefer for their treatment to go unnoticed by others.
- Comfort: Made from smooth plastic, clear aligners are usually considered a bit more comfortable than traditional braces, seeing as they don’t feature brackets or wires. These elements can occasionally cause irritation to the soft tissues of the mouth.
- Removability: This is an important aspect for many patients. Fixed braces aren’t removable, but these trays are, which allows you to eat, drink, floss, and brush without restrictions. The handoff of removability is that it’s critical to keep your aligners in for 20-22 hours a day for successful results. Patients are largely responsible for their outcomes.
- Customized Fit: Our clear aligners are entirely customized to your unique dental anatomy, which ensures a precise and effective treatment built just for you.
- Predictable Results: We’ll expand more on this as we go—but one of the best parts of Invisalign and Spark is the detailed treatment plan that they come with. You get an accurate preview of how your smile will turn out from the very onset of treatment.
Keeping Up
Now we can describe exactly how we keep track of your progress. The end goal is to do our best to match your teeth with our original projected treatment plan. We accomplish this by utilizing in-person and digital visits with Dr. Mack, digital technology, and your own compliance as our patient.
- Initial Assessment and Digital Imaging
- 3D Scans and Treatment Plan: Our office will use specialized software that generates a step-by-step treatment plan to demonstrate the movement of your teeth from their current state to their final desired positions. As time passes, we will continue to use this initial step as a reference.
- Regular Check-Ups
- Scheduled Appointments: It all starts with showing up. During your scheduled appointments, Dr. Mack will assess your progress, usually taking place every 6-8 weeks.
- Comparison with Treatment Plan:
- Adjustments to Plan: Should your teeth not be aligning according to our outline, Dr. Mack will make necessary adjustments to your custom treatment plan. This can involve producing new aligner trays, or making modifications to your existing ones.
- Patient Feedback:
- Compliance and Experience: You and Dr. Mack will openly discuss your experience with your aligners. This includes any discomfort or issues you may experience along the journey. We’ll work to ensure you’re diligently following your wear guidelines each day.
FAQs
Here are some additional details that might be helpful for you as you start or continue your clear aligner treatment with Mack Orthodontics:
Q: What happens if I lose an aligner?
If you misplace an aligner, your first call should be to our office. Based on your history, we might advise you to wear your previous set or move on to the next one. The main thing is to take action as quickly as possible.
Q: Will I need to use retainers after aligner treatment?
Yes, retainers will still be required for patients after their active Invisalign or Spark treatment is over. We use retainers to ensure your teeth don’t revert back into their prior positions.
Q: Can I just track treatment from home?
This is never a good idea! Your results will be visible over time, but the step of visiting Mack Orthodontics regularly is a requirement.
Right on Track!
We’re thrilled to be part of your journey and are committed to guiding you every step of the way. Rest assured; we’re here to provide the best care possible! Our two outstanding offices are ready to serve you in Burlington or Hillsborough.