Why do I have so many refinement Invisalign trays?

Question

My 17 out of 20 tray for my top teeth wasn't fitting too good so my orthodontist took another mold of my teeth to get some refinements made. I only have a tiny bit of my front gap left so I wasn't expecting many more. When I went in for my appointment I found out that I have 16 extra trays!!! That's another 8 months of treatment because the tray didn't fit perfectly (wasn't off by that much). Have you ever heard of that many refinement trays? I really want this to be over asap. Thank you.

Steven Davidowitz, DDS · Answer

A refinement is very often  necessary to complete a case if it is not ideal after going through the first set of aligners. A refinement recaptures the teeth and allows final details to be corrected.  Some of these details are obvious, like the small gap you mentioned.  Others are behind the scenes movements that your doctor would like to see come to fruition for overall alignment and proper bite.The average refinement includes an additional 10-18 new aligners.  Many times these are with fewer attachments and with more direct movements.Don't despair it sounds like you are almost there!  Good luck.

Valentina Lyssova, DDS · Answer

Dear Tommac725, Dentists consider refinements
as part of a routine for completion of the case. You see only a small gap, but
I’m positive that your orthodontist had to order that many refinement trays in
order to correct other misalignments, not always visible to you, and obtain the
ideal bite as well. You should ask him/her to show you a ClinCheck to have a
better understanding of why you need that many trays.

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

Refinements are a necessary and common part of invisalign that often add treatment time to the end of your case.  Just because you have a small space remaining there are other factors contribute to the length of your refinement. You can ask your doctor it it’s possible to switch out the trays more often with the refinement to make it go faster.

Tanya Vaysman, DMD · Answer

Refinements are a common part of Invisalign treatment.  The movements are often done slower with the refinement trays to ensure that the teeth dent fall behind again and to improve other things that you might not even be paying attention to. You can ask your doctor it it’s possible to switch out the trays more often with the refinement to make it go fester.

Why do I have so many refinement Invisalign trays?

Answers (4)

Answer: Refinement trays

Answer: Refinement trays

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Why do I have so many refinement Invisalign trays?

Answers (4)

Answer: Refinement trays

Answer: Refinement trays

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.