You might know that Invisalign clear aligners are a discrete, comfortable way to straighten your teeth. An average treatment can take from 12 to 18 months, and during that time, you’ll swap out your current set of trays for a tighter set. The gradually shifting pressure is what helps gradually shift your teeth into a more favorable alignment.
Did you know, however, that there’s another type of tray you might encounter during an Invisalign treatment? They’re called refinement trays, and they’re basically a course-correcting adjustment. To learn more about what this means and whether you might need them, keep reading.
Refinement Trays in More Detail
If everything progresses smoothly, an Invisalign treatment simply involves wearing a set of clear trays for 21 – 22 hours per day and moving on to the advancement set roughly every two weeks. Sometimes, though, teeth are more stubborn than anticipated. Due to either natural resilience or aligner complications, they might not shift as quickly as you or your dentist would like.
When your treatment progress starts to lag behind schedule, your dentist has to adjust your plan to account for the new physics. Continuing to wear your current set of trays won’t push your teeth in the proper direction, but advancing to your previously scheduled advancement set won’t either. What you need is a set of trays with a completely new design – in other words, refinement trays.
Who Needs Refinement Trays?
Any patient whose teeth aren’t straightening as planned. The refinement trays are designed to get you back on track, so you’ll still receive quality results – it just might add to the length of your treatment.
Sometimes teeth simply don’t want to move and need more time to adjust. It’s not always something the patient has control over and shouldn’t make you feel guilty! That said, if you’re not wearing your Invisalign aligners as instructed by your dentist, then the odds of you needing refinement trays are certainly going to go up. Stick to your suggested wear time, take care of your trays, and secure them in their proper case when removed.
What Happens if I Do Need Refinement Trays?
The process is actually fairly similar to how you got your original set. Your dentist will re-examine your teeth, take an X-ray, and review your treatment plan. When you receive your refinement set, wear them as directed and advance only when recommended by your dentist.
It can be worrying when your Invisalign treatment goes off-course but rest assured that your dental team will work hard to get your teeth back on track. At the end of the finish line, you’ll have a beautifully straightened smile!
About the Practice
At Flenniken Family Dentistry, we offer a comprehensive list of dental services for patients of all ages. Children, teens, and adults alike appreciate the discrete and comfortable way Invisalign straightens teeth, which is why Dr. Neil Flenniken is an Invisalign preferred provider. If you do need refinement trays during your treatment, you can trust Dr. Flenniken to administer effective adjustments. To contact our office, call 717-249-7777.
