Invisalign Refinement: everything about the follow-up treatment
What is an Invisalign Refinement?
Invisalign Refinement is the term for an additional round of treatment with Invisalign aligners. Invisalign is a popular system for correcting misaligned teeth using clear trays that are custom-fitted to your teeth. The trays are swapped out regularly to gradually move the teeth into the desired position.
A refinement refers to an additional round of aligner treatment that may be needed to move the teeth fully into the target position, or to fine-tune small details in the final result. A refinement is always prescribed by your dentist or orthodontist, and following the protocol carefully is what delivers the best possible outcome.
Why is an additional round sometimes necessary?
There are several reasons a second round of aligner treatment may be needed. One of the most common is that the teeth did not move exactly as planned during the first round. That can come down to a number of factors — most often insufficient wear time or poor compliance with the provider's instructions. In those cases a refinement is what brings the teeth into the desired position.
Another reason is that small irregularities can remain in the final result and need to be corrected. Here too, additional aligner treatment brings the teeth into the target position.
Could it also be the ClinCheck?
Yes — a refinement may also be needed if it turns out during treatment that the original ClinCheck (a kind of virtual model showing how the teeth should move) was not entirely accurate. Your dentist or orthodontist creates the ClinCheck based on a detailed examination of your teeth and jaw, supported by X-rays and other imaging. It serves as the roadmap for the treatment and helps the provider make sure the teeth move the way they should.
If it turns out during treatment that the original ClinCheck was not on the money, a refinement may be required to bring the teeth into position. In those cases, your dentist or orthodontist creates a new ClinCheck and prescribes a new round of aligner treatment to make sure the teeth move as intended.
Why does a Treatment Planning Center matter?
A Treatment Planning Center is a facility that specializes in planning and delivering Invisalign treatment. Experienced orthodontists and dentists work together there to design individual treatment plans and to make sure each treatment is as effective as possible.
The advantage of a Treatment Planning Center is access to a wide range of resources and technology that make accurate, detailed planning possible — including specialized tooth-movement simulation software, 3D printing and digital impression systems. With those resources, a Treatment Planning Center can produce precise, detailed plans that let the treating provider make sure the teeth move the way they should and that the treatment is as effective as possible.
All partners in the SmileClubOne network have access to our central Planning Center.
Treatment complete — what now?
After your Invisalign therapy is finished, your teeth are in their perfect new position. Unfortunately, they will not stay there on their own. We offer two options for retention: a permanent wire retainer, or a custom nighttime retainer. With a wire retainer, a thin wire is bonded to the inside of the dental arch — it prevents unwanted movement, but it does make your cleaning routine a little harder. The alternative is a nighttime retainer that you wear while sleeping. With this method you can keep your oral hygiene routine completely unrestricted, but it does require some discipline.