Why do I have so many refinement Invisalign trays?

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.

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.

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.