In order to make sure we cover everything and to ensure your appoint runs smooth and all concerns are addressed, please take a moment to read about Invisalign treatment. At your consult we will touch on all of the following details, if you have any questions please bring them to our attention at your appointment.

INVISALIGN PATIENT TIME, COMMITMENT, AND TREATMENT DETAILS

 One of the biggest concerns patients have about starting Invisalign treatment is the time commitment. No matter what kind of orthodontic treatment you undergo, your time is required - months and sometimes more than a year of your time. The Invisalign time commitment however, is far more palatable than most orthodontic teeth-straightening options.

 ALL ASPECTS OF INVISALIGN YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW

GETTING STARTED- We will scan (not take impressions), take photos, and show some models of Invisalign

 ATTACHMENTS- We WILL place attachments, they will be placed at the beginning of treatment, they are necessary to get the movement we want. They allow us to rotate, tip, and move teeth quicker and easier. Our attachments are a clear resin and will be polished off after treatment.

 IPR (Inter-proximal Reduction) - Most cases (not all) require IPR, especially if you have crowding or a deep bite. IPR is when we go between the teeth and reduce the amount of friction between them allowing them to rotate and/or move closer together to improve your bite. IPR is done without the need for any kind of local anesthetic or numbing. We typically will schedule this into two separate appointments.

 WHEN TO SWITCH TRAYS- Here in Dr. Sprowls office we do things a little different than most, due to her advanced training and constant continuing education. You will switch trays every 4 days, unless told otherwise by her or a member of her staff. The benefit of the 4 day tray change is, you can eat in them (we encourage it) which helps the teeth move into the spots the tray wants them to vs fighting the treatment. Added benefit is a new clean, clear, and rigid tray every 4 days vs a stretched out stained tray.

 THE OVERALL INVISALIGN TIME COMMITMENT

 Invisalign is not one-size-fits-all. The treatment is customized from the start to match your mouth, your misalignment, your bite, your bone level, and your oral health needs.

That means the length of your treatment will vary from other patients.

 On average, our Invisalign patients wear their treatment trays 5-12 months. Because the trays move both tooth roots and crowns simultaneously, it shaves off a year of time that wearers of conventional metal braces must endure. However, if you have a more complex case, you should expect your treatment to take a little longer than 12 months.

And, if you only have a handful of gaps to correct or teeth to move, the process may only require several months of time.

 Dr. Sprowls and her team will let you know what to expect from start to finish before anything even begins. There are unlikely to be any surprises along the way.

THE DAILY INVISALIGN TIME COMMITMENT

 The day-to-day obligations seem often to be a major concern for most patients. Here's the reality: Braces of any sort are a big responsibility and they demand your ongoing time, energy, and attention. Invisalign, though, is relatively low maintenance:

• Wear the trays 23 hours a day.

• Eat and drink in the trays, remove them and rinse after eating.

• Only remove the aligners three to four times a day for meals and cleanings IF you can't eat in them.

• Clean your teeth and the trays after every meal.

• Clean your trays morning and night Minimum. Using your toothbrush is fine.

• Change the trays every 4 days unless Dr. Sprowls or her team has said otherwise.

 Overall, you just need to brush your teeth more often and take care of your trays. That's pretty easy and the rules are simple. Keep them in as much as possible, you have the freedom to enjoy your favorite foods all the way through. If you don't wear the trays your teeth will not move where we want them to.

DENTAL VISITS AND LIFE AFTER INVISALIGN

 There are two other elements of the Invisalign time commitment that needs to be taken into consideration. You will have to visit Dr. Sprowls office for any visits for IPR and to pick up your next several sets of trays. These visits can't be skipped and they really aren't that frequent when compared with patients who need their brackets and wires checked every four weeks.

 Then there is that last small matter - your retainer. You will have a commitment to this appliance once Invisalign treatment is complete. It's essential to keep your newly shifted teeth in place and the retainer gets that job done. Most patients must wear their retainer around the clock for six months and then are then allowed to wear it only at night, this allows for the bone to solidity around all of the teeth we have moved. Retainers are for life, if you don't wear your retainer your teeth WILL shift again. It is important to bring your retainer and/or trays to any and all dental visits.

Time to expect for appointment:

1 hour- 1 1/2 hours