Need Refinement After Invisalign, What's the Process for That?

An Invisalign refinement is a common stage of treatment with this sytem.  Consider an analogy from orthodontic treatment with traditional braces.  At some point in treatment, the orthodontic specialist may determine that certain braces or brackets need to be repositioned for better advantage and/or the arch wires are adjusted to specifically move certain teeth.  These changes "refine" the positioning of the teeth being addressed by those procedures to improve esthetics or the fit of the teeth together.  With Invisalign, all of those "tooth movements" were intended to have been predicted and prescribed in the original ClinCheck and series of aligners.  The same was the case when the orthodontist first placed the braces on the teeth.  However, there are a myriad of reasons why adjustment or changes from that original prediction must be accomplished to further "refine" a patient's results.  In some instances, several refinements may be necessary.  In other words, it is probably best for patients to understand that Invisalign may be a "multi-stage" treatment from the onset as more than one series of aligners may be required.  

The refinement process involves removing any attachments, new impressions or digital scans of the teeth, and the orthodontist performs a revised examination and prescription (ClinCheck).  It is critical that the last set of aligners is worn until the new series is initiated; otherwise, teeth will begin moving and the next aligners will not fit properly.  

A refinement should not cause for concern with your orthodontic specialist; however, if for some reason you are deciding to transfer to another orthodontist then there are some steps that will be required.  After an examination with the next orthodontist, your original records and ClinCheck will need to be requested from your first doctor and new orthodontic records will be required at the new office as well.  Only in that manner can the new doctor determine a course of treatment.   When you change to a new orthodontist you should also expect some new fees.

There are time limits for the refinements included in the original, approved ClinCheck (from Align Technologies) and that information should be available to you from your orthodontist.  

Refinements are very common on orthodontic treatment.There is a time limit for them.You are supposed to finish your tratys before you start the refinements.

Refinements during orthodontic treatment with Invisalign are more the rule than the exception. Although tooth movements look great on the computer, the human body may respond differently than the animation created by the computer technician who programmed it. If it becomes apparent that the desired treatment objectives cannot be accomplished with your orthodontits's initial perscription, he can take a set of "progress" models and refine his treatment plan. As for transferring during treatment, that is something that is handled differently in every office. Invisalign is just a tool used for straightening teeth. If a patient has paid us more than the work we've done, we owe them a refund. If we've done more than they've paid for, they owe us. Good luck!