So, you’ve had your consultation, discussed your options, and made the exciting decision to go ahead with Invisalign. It’s a big step towards achieving the straighter, healthier smile you’ve always wanted. But what exactly happens next?
At The Briars Dental Centre, we keep you fully informed at every stage of your journey. Whether you’re just curious or already booked in, this guide will walk you through what to expect after you say ‘yes’ to Invisalign, step by step.
Once you’ve agreed to start treatment, we’ll schedule your digital scan. Using our state-of-the-art scanner, we’ll take highly accurate 3D images of your teeth. We won’t need to make any messy impressions.
This scan allows us to create a detailed digital model of your mouth, which forms the foundation for your bespoke Invisalign plan.
What’s particularly exciting is that you’ll get a preview of what your smile could look like at the end of treatment. The software can simulate the movement of your teeth over time, giving you a glimpse of your future results. It’s a great way to build motivation and confidence right from the beginning.
Next, we’ll carefully map out the entire course of your treatment. Every slight movement of each tooth is planned in detail using advanced software to ensure a predictable, comfortable, and effective outcome.
This stage typically takes a couple of weeks. Once your custom treatment plan is ready and approved, your aligners will be manufactured and sent to us. Invisalign aligners are crafted from SmartTrack material, a patented, medical-grade plastic that’s both flexible and durable, designed for a snug but gentle fit.
As soon as your aligners arrive at our practice, we’ll invite you back to get started. This appointment is an exciting milestone: it’s where your Invisalign journey truly begins.
During your visit, we’ll fit your first set of aligners and make sure everything feels comfortable. We’ll show you how to put them in and take them out correctly and share essential advice about caring for your aligners and your teeth throughout treatment.
You’ll change roughly every 1–2 weeks, depending on your treatment plan. We’ll give you all the aligners you need ahead of the date you need to switch. Each new set is designed to move your teeth a little closer to their ideal position.
To help Invisalign work as effectively as possible, we may place small, tooth-coloured attachments onto certain teeth. These are tiny dots of composite resin that give your aligners something to grip onto, enabling more precise tooth movement. They’re completely safe, hardly noticeable, and removed once treatment is complete.
In some cases, a technique called interproximal reduction (IPR) may be needed to create a bit more space between teeth. This involves gently polishing between teeth to improve alignment. It’s a painless and very quick process that you’ll barely even notice.
Wearing Invisalign aligners requires a bit of adjustment at first, but most patients settle into the rhythm quickly. You’ll be wearing your aligners for around 22 hours a day, only removing them for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing, and flossing.
It’s normal to feel a little pressure or mild discomfort during the first day or two of each new set; this is simply a sign that the aligners are working. Most people find it manageable and get used to it within a few days.
Our team will be on hand to support you, and we’ll always encourage you to get in touch if you have questions or concerns.
Throughout your Invisalign treatment, we’ll invite you for regular check-ins every 6 to 8 weeks. These appointments are important for several reasons: we’ll check your progress, make sure your teeth are moving as expected, and provide you with your next set of aligners.
These visits tend to be quick and straightforward, with no need for wires or adjustments like traditional braces. You can also use this time to raise any queries, discuss your experience so far, and keep your motivation up by seeing how far you’ve come.
As you approach the end of your final set of aligners, it’s a great time to reflect on how far your smile has come. But before you celebrate, there’s still one final step to ensure your results last: retainers.
Once treatment is complete, we’ll provide you with custom-made retainers to wear at night. These look very similar to your Invisalign aligners but are designed to maintain your teeth in their new position rather than move them.
Wearing your retainers as instructed is essential. Teeth can shift back if left unsupported, so wearing retainers helps preserve all the hard work you and your aligners have done.
We’ll explain how often to wear them and how to care for them, and we’ll keep checking in with you during future visits to ensure everything remains stable.
One of the most rewarding parts of Invisalign treatment is the moment you look in the mirror and see your beautifully straightened teeth smiling back at you. It’s not just about appearances. After treatment, you may feel more confident in social situations, more at ease in photographs, and even more motivated to take care of your oral health.
Straight teeth are also easier to clean, which can reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth decay in the long run.
Saying ‘yes’ to Invisalign is a decision that can transform more than just your smile—it can change the way you feel every time you speak, laugh, or look in the mirror. At The Briars Dental Centre, we’re here to make every step of your journey clear, comfortable, and tailored to you.
If you’ve got questions or you’re ready to take the next step, our friendly team is just a phone call away.
Book your Invisalign consultation today and discover the difference a straighter, healthier smile can make.
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