
What can I expect from the procedure?
During your Invisalign appointment, Dr. Rink will first take x-rays, photos, and impressions of your teeth and jaw to create a digital, three-dimensional model. With this model, he can plan your treatment in detail, including how long your treatment should take, how many aligners you will require, and how your teeth will ideally look at the end of treatment. Then he will create your aligners, which you will be able to take home with you.
Unlike the metal brackets and wire of traditional braces, the smooth plastic surface of Invisalign aligners are comfortable to wear.
For the treatment to be effective, patients need to wear their aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours each day. Each individual aligner is worn for two weeks before switching to the next aligner in the series. Most patients will receive between 18 and 30 aligners in total, though the exact number will be determined by your unique needs. Treatments typically last 12 to 18 months for adults, while teenagers may require a few additional months.