My Dentist Is Retiring in the Middle of My Invisalign Treatment

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Invisalign upper and lower aligners

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Hi. I’ve worn all but five sets of my Invisalign aligners. For unexpected reasons, my dentist must retire two years earlier than expected. He has referred his patients to two other dentists in town. I prefer not to see either dentist after my dentist retires in August. I have narrowed my choices to three dentists, but I don’t want to choose a dentist just because they are Invisalign certified. I am happy with the results of Invisalign, but I’m concerned about how my case will progress from here. Should this be a problem when I see a new dentist? – Nick from Lexington, KY

Nick,

Thank you for your question.

Can You Switch Dentists in the Middle of Invisalign Treatment?

You can switch dentists in the middle of Invisalign treatment. You will be able to continue your Invisalign treatment with ease after your dentist retires. Your dentist has an ethical obligation to ensure a smooth transition to your new dentist. Even so, it will not be difficult for a dentist to provide whatever you need to continue your treatment. You can request a copy of your dental records before your dentist retires. Also, the Invisalign company has your orthodontic history and will help your new dentist continue your care without interruption.

Ensure that the dentists you are considering are skilled Invisalign providers with experience in cases like yours. You can schedule consultations with one or all three dentists to discuss your concerns and case. You can also ask each dentist to show you before-and-after patient photos.

Dr. Steven Brooker, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is a former Invisalign provider who switched to ClearCorrect® aligners for orthodontic treatment.

How Often Will I Change Invisalign Trays?

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Clear aligner trays similar to Invisalign and ClearCorrectInvisalign and other clear aligners can improve your smile faster than traditional braces—in half the time or less. After creating a 3-D model of your mouth, your dentist will develop a treatment plan to move your teeth gradually and precisely. Each set of clear trays that you wear will move your teeth closer to their final position. But how often will you change trays?

How Often Will You Change Invisalign Trays?

You will change Invisalign trays every one to two weeks if you wear the trays twenty to twenty-two hours daily. Your dentist will give you sets of aligners to keep at home and have available when it is time to switch to the next pair. Most invisible braces require you to change to a new set every one to two weeks.

What Determines When You Change Invisalign Trays?

The time frame for changing Invisalign trays depends on your case, the complexity of tooth movement, and your diligence in wearing the aligners as directed.

  • Your patient case – No two patients’ cases are the same. Depending on the stage of your treatment plan, when you switch aligners may vary between one and two weeks.
  • Complexity of tooth movement – It takes longer for Invisalign and other clear aligners to achieve complex tooth movements than simple tooth movements. When movement is complete and your teeth are stable, your dentist may advise you to move to the next set of aligners sooner than two weeks.
  • Wearing the aligners – It takes twenty to twenty-two hours of daily wear to move your teeth as outlined in your treatment plan. If you do not wear the aligners as directed, it will delay switching to the next set.

What Are Invisalign Alternatives?

Today’s invisible braces offer several alternatives to Invisalign. A dentist or orthodontist may work with various braces or aligners and decide which to use for specific cases. Some dentists use Invisalign only. Others achieve beautiful results with Invisalign alternatives like ClearCorrect®.

Schedule a Consultation for Clear Braces

Regardless of which brand of aligners you choose, look for an experienced dentist with advanced occlusion and bite and clear aligner training.

Schedule a consultation and ask questions:

  • How many orthodontic cases have you completed from start to finish?
  • How many cases like mine have you managed?
  • How long have you used clear aligners for patients?
  • Which brand do you use and why?
  • May I see patients’ before and after photos?

Straightening your teeth with braces or clear aligners can be an exciting change. Take time to research your options and provider.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

Will You Need Invisalign Buttons?

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Many people who look forward to straightening their teeth with Invisalign are disappointed when they learn that attachments might be needed to maximize their treatment. You likely several questions, including:

  • What are these attachments?
  • Will you need them?
  • If so, will your Invisalign trays still be invisible?
  • Can you opt not to receive them?

What Are Invisalign Attachments?

Invisalign attachments are made of tooth-colored dental composite. Your dentist will temporarily bond them to the teeth that require complex movement. Although the attachments are small, the number that your dentist will place, as well as their shape, size, and location can vary based on the movement required for each tooth.

Your aligners might also require buttons, or small brackets, to which elastics are attached. Your dentist will use buttons or attachments to achieve movement that aligners alone are unable to complete.

When Are Attachments Needed?

Although each case is different, some common issues that require Invisalign attachments include:

  • Severe rotation
  • Open bite
  • Short teeth

The attachments help your aligners grip your teeth and gently move them to the correct position with the right amount of force.

Are They Noticeable?

Your dentist will use a shade of dental composite that blends with your natural teeth, so they are barely visible. You’ll still enjoy invisible braces that most people won’t notice.

How Are They Secured to Your Teeth?

Your dentist will use a template aligner that has openings in it where the attachments, or buttons, are to be placed.

  • Lightly etch the affected teeth to ensure the bonding adheres to them
  • Place a template aligner on your teeth
  • Fill each opening in the template with dental composite
  • Wait a few minutes while the composite hardens
  • Remove the template and any excess composite

How Will They Feel?

Invisalign aligners will fit more snugly with attachments on your teeth. Although some patients have difficulty removing the aligners, your dentist will show you the most effective to remove them when you eat and floss and brush your teeth.

What If You Decline Invisalign Attachments?

If your dentist includes attachments in your treatment plan, don’t consider them optional. If Invisalign can’t grip your teeth, it won’t move them. Usually, after your dentist puts attachments on your teeth, they remain throughout treatment.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Bacteria and plaque can accumulate around the attachments. Remove the aligners when you eat and thoroughly brush around the attachments.

When Will You Know?

After an examination and a 3-D scan of your teeth, your dentist will provide you with a treatment plan. He or she will let you know if attachments, buttons, or elastics are needed to assist in aligning your teeth. As your dentist checks the progress of your treatment, he or she might adjust it. Although attachments were not originally in the plan, your dentist might use them to achieve the best results.

This post is sponsored by Steven Brooksher, DDS, of Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Brooksher is a former Invisalign provider, but now he prefers ClearCorrect. Find out why.

How Long Does It Take to See Results with Invisalign?

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Invisalign® starts an exciting journey to straight teeth. Aligned teeth make a memorable first impression and help you smile with confidence. No doubt, you’re anxious to see results. How long will it take before you notice them?

When Will You See Changes?

Although it depends on the position of your teeth and the complexity of your case, most patients in Invisalign or ClearCorrect® (Dr. Brooksher’s preferred invisible aligners) treatment notice changes in about three months. Each patient’s teeth are moved strategically and with precision, so don’t compare your results with others. Halfway through the treatment, the results are clearly noticeable.  And you’ll feel your bite changing as your back teeth are moved to the correct position.

Digital Transformation

Three verticle photos of a woman progressivly putting Invisalign trays on her teeth.

For progressive results, wear Invisalign 20-22 hours

Your dentist will show you an animated 3-D preview of your teeth as they are moved. The preview includes a timeline to predict when you will see specific changes.

Your Compliance

Although Invisalign and other types of invisible aligners can align your teeth up to 50 percent faster than traditional braces, they don’t work unless you’re wearing them. You need to wear the aligners 20-22 hours each day to keep the progress moving forward. If you frequently remove your aligners to snack or if you forget to wear them, your treatment time will be prolonged.

Maintaining the Results

Clear aligners work—regardless of the length of your treatment plan. Closely follow your dentist’s instructions throughout orthodontic treatment to get maximum results as quickly as possible for your case.

At the end of your treatment, your dentist will tell you how long and how often you need to wear a retainer. Without a retainer, your teeth will gradually shift back into their original position. If your teeth shift and you wait too long to see your dentist, you will need to wear a series of trays again to realign your teeth.

Schedule a Consultation

You don’t have to commit right away. Providers of Invisalign or other clear braces offer consultations. During the consultation, you’ll receive more information on the results you can expect and an estimate of the length of your treatment plan. After your dentist takes 3-D images of your teeth, you’ll see a digital version of how and when your tooth movement will progress.

This post is sponsored by Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Brooksher previously used Invisalign, but he prefers ClearCorrect. Read our Invisalign page to see why he made the switch.

Is Invisalign the Best Way to Close a Gap Between Your Teeth?

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A gap or space between your teeth is called a diastema. There are several factors that will help your dentist decide if Invisalign, another form of orthodontic treatment, or cosmetic dentistry can help.

Photo of the a woman's hand holding an invisible teeth aligner similar to Invisalign.
Invisalign or another brand of invisible braces might not be needed to close your gap

Size of the Space

The size of the space between your teeth can determine your treatment options. If the gap is small, treatment with Invisalign or another type of clear braces might not be necessary. Small gaps can be concealed with dental bonding or porcelain veneers.

Dental bonding

Skilled cosmetic dentists use dental composite to conceal imperfections in teeth, including small gaps. Your cosmetic dentist will blend together shades of composite to match your teeth. After your teeth are lightly etched, the bonding will be applied, shaped, hardened, and polished. People won’t be able to distinguish the composite from your natural teeth. Bonding stains over time and will need periodic polishing. Depending on how well you take care of it, it will need to be replaced every five to ten years.

Dental bonding can help you avoid months of treatment with Invisalign or other types of orthodontic treatment. Bonding is applied while you’re sitting in the dental chair and usually only takes one visit.

Porcelain veneers

Thin shells of lifelike porcelain can be bonded to the fronts of the affected teeth. Adjacent teeth might also need veneers to create symmetry and natural-looking results. Porcelain veneers are permanent. Your natural teeth have to be prepared for veneers, and the preparation cannot be reversed. Although Invisalign doesn’t require any work on your natural teeth, treatment can last many months. It only takes a few office visits to receive porcelain veneers.

Is There Labial Frenum Between Your Teeth?

At times, there is tissue between the teeth—labial frenum—that is suspended from the upper lip to the gums. It can prevent the gap from closing. If the frenum prevents the gap from closing, the tissue will need to be surgically removed. If the gap is large, Invisalign can be used to close it. Otherwise, porcelain veneers or dental bonding can hide a small gap.

What about Invisalign for Closing a Gap?

If any of your teeth are misaligned, invisible braces will correct the misalignment and close the gap. There are other considerations:

  • Unlike dental bonding or porcelain veneers, no material will be permanently applied to your teeth.
  • When your treatment with invisible braces is complete, you will need to wear a retainer to maintain the alignment of your teeth.
  • Invisalign treatment takes longer than dental bonding or porcelain veneers.
  • If you have a gap along with wisdom teeth that are erupting, the movement of your teeth can affect the size of your gap. Your dentist will determine the best time to start treatment.

What About DIY Methods?

Closing a gap between your teeth is not something you should try on your own. Do-it-yourself orthodontics, such as rubber bands, can incorrectly move your teeth, cause them to twist, or leave spaces between them that didn’t exist before.

Schedule a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist to learn more about Invisalign and your other treatment options.

This post is sponsored by Steven Brooksher, DDS, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA.