Getting Started with Invisalign & Clear Aligner Treatment
Clear aligners, such as Invisalign or 3M Clarity Aligners, are popular alternatives to classic metal braces. Treatment with clear aligner consists of wearing thin, plastic trays to help straighten the teeth and correct the patients bite. So what should you expect during your treatment in aligners?
Who is a Candidate for Aligner Treatment?
Aligners are ideal for many types of treatment in both teens and adults. From straightening a few teeth to completing full orthodontic treatment, aligners can do it all!
While most patients are candidates for aligner treatment, there are still some instances in which metal braces will work better or faster for a patient than the aligners will. And because Invisalign relies heavily on patient compliance (meaning that in order to work, the patient actually has to wear their aligners), Invisalign simply is not the right choice for every patient. To determine if you are a good candidate, we must first complete a quick, complimentary consultation.
Step 1: The Complimentary Consultation
Prior to starting aligner treatment, the Doctor must determine if you are a candidate for aligners.
During the complimentary consultation, the treatment coordinator and Dr. Moran will sit down with you to discuss your goals for treatment. Dr. Moran will then complete a quick examination with a small mirror. At this time, Dr. Moran will discuss her initial findings with the patient and let them know if they might be a candidate for aligner treatment.
If the patient is a candidate, we have time same-day to complete a comprehensive examination.
Step 2: The Exam
Once Dr. Moran has determined that a patient is a candidate for aligner treatment during their consultation, we can then complete a full orthodontic evaluation same-day.
At Foundations Orthodontics, we believe that each patient is unique and that a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to identify and treat all aspects of the bite.
The comprehensive evaluation will be completed with the treatment coordinator alongside Dr. Moran and will include:
An intraoral examination of the mouth including overjet, overbite, and soft tissue
3D Imaging of the entire skull to examine the teeth, jaw joints or TMJ, and airways
Scan of the teeth to create a 3D digital model that we can use to evaluate the function of your bite
Wax bites to determine if there is a discrepancy between your natural “tooth” bite and your bite when your jaw joints are properly seated in the socket
Only if a patient decides to move forward with this exam is there a fee. Fees vary based on the type of orthodontic exam, and the treatment coordinator will discuss these with your prior to and during your examination.
Once we have completed the exam, we will schedule the patient for a follow-up appointment where we will review Dr. Moran’s findings.
Step 3: Review Dr. Moran’s Findings
Foundations Orthodontics believes that education is key to successful orthodontic treatment. That is why Dr. Moran takes the time to sit down with each patients orthodontic evaluation to create a detailed workup explaining her findings and outlining the patients unique treatment plan.
The review is typically scheduled a week after the exam and can be completed here in office or virtually.
During the review, the treatment coordinator and Dr. Moran will discuss:
Goals for orthodontic treatment, including bite correction and health of the TMJ
The patients 3D x-ray including teeth, jaw joints, and airway
The patients 3D scan of the teeth
Dr. Moran’s recommendations for treatment
The estimate for treatment
After the review, the patient will receive a copy of their full workup with x-rays and a copy of their quote to take home. We will also share the full workup and x-rays with their dentists.
Step 4: Starting Treatment
Once a patient decides to move forward with aligner treatment, Dr. Moran will create a digital treatment plan using the 3D scan of your teeth. She will then send this treatment plan to the aligner company and will have the trays made.
The patient will be scheduled to receive their aligner trays in a few weeks once we receive them back from the aligner company, and treatment will begin!