Getting invisalign soon but I still have a few questions..

[SLinvisalign]

I went to my ortho yesterday and they took my impressions and are preparing my case to be sent out to the invisalign people. I have a few questions, though, about what is to come in my future.

I know that it takes a few weeks to get my invisalign stuff back and meet with the ortho again, but what exactly will I be receiving? Will I be receiving my actual trays, or will I just be seeing an image of what my teeth will look like after I finish the treatment?

My ortho mentioned something about maybe grinding the sides of my teeth down so that they will fit better side by side? Did any of you have this done and is this really necessary?

I see a lot of threads on here about "attachments." What exactly are attachments? They have never been mentioned to me before and I was just curious.

[Lucy1986]

Hiya!

After the impressions are taken and sent off, Invisalign makes your 'clincheck' which is the computer simulation of your treatment. It usually takes a few weeks. If your treatment is like mine you will then look at your clincheck with the ortho and once you're both happy its ok, he/she asks for the alingers to be made and sent. Again this took a couple of weeks with me. You'll then get an appointment to get the trays themselves.

IPR (interproximal reduction) is the process where they grind down the sides of the teeth with a small file. I've had it and it is necessary to create space- otherwise there just wouldn't be enough room. It didn't ever hurt me.

I don't have attchments so someone else would be able to help more, but they are small, and attached to the teeth to help with certain more difficult movements. If you have them your aligner will have a little 'well' where they will sit.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Here's some information about the general course of Invisalign treatment. There are some variations, but you'll see the usual steps in getting treatment. Many doctors do not meet with you between the impressions and initial insertion of aligners. It is important to discuss your concerns at your initial consultation, as you may not have another opportunity for input in your treatment, and so that your doctor is able to best address those issues.

Toronto Invisalign | Getting Started with Invisalign

Good luck!

[oceanscape]

IPR (interproximal reduction) is the process where they grind down the sides of the teeth with a small file. I've had it and it is necessary to create space- otherwise there just wouldn't be enough room. It didn't ever hurt me. Good luck!

IPR isn't always necessary, is it? I haven't needed it but I am only in my 4th week of wearing trays. Is IPR mainly for people with crowded teeth? My issue is spacing/gaps rather than crowding.

[Phantom Muse]

I had crowding - the bottom front four - and one of my big front teeth was snaggled. I have large teeth, and I did not need IPR. I was told at the outset that I would need it, but my ortho found a way to get good results without having to do any IPR. I think the moral of the story is that it really depends on how much space you have for your teeth as well as what your ortho wants to do.

I spoke with my ortho at length about my concerns regarding IPR - I didn't want it if it wasn't absolutely necessary - and then when my treatment plan was approved, I asked right away whether or not I should expect additional attachments or IPR. Your ortho should have all of that information; give them a call so you know what to expect.

[<3christina<3]

It took me a little over a month from my impressions til receiving my trays. Two weeks after my impressions I went in to consult with my dentist about the course of treatment. At my consult is when I learned I would need attachments, and where, and IPR was needed. I have a small amount of IPR done at each of my 6 week check ups (I only need 10U and 10L trays so I do IPRs 3 times). I hate having it done, not because it hurts, but it's really awkward and smells. I wasn't too happy about getting it done, but it's really making my teeth look better, shape wise. The attachments drove me nuts at first. I felt like everyone could see them. But in all honesty, they are really hard to see from a distance. Up close when I smile they are not invisible. It's worth it though.

[Sunny]

IPR isn't always necessary but it's a great way for orthodontist's to create space for teeth to straighten, without the need to extract teeth. Often the space needed is much smaller than a tooth, so it's a win/win situation.

I had a mixture of crowing and spaces and needed IPR to create space in an area where there was crowding and no spacing. I've also got the 'black triangles' due to gum recession and I've had some IPR to help reduce these.

[Lucy1986]

I think whether you need IPR or not depends on your individual case and your doctors treatment plan. I needed it because there simply wasn't enough space for my teeth to come into alignment without it. I was gutted as the clincheck said I had to have 0.2mm between my front upper teeth, which were the teeth I was really happy with their shape and size, but it actually worked out ok and they do look better now!

[Invizzle Rizzle]

Wow, the two upper teeth are the most important cosmetically in my opinion. I'm glad it came together for you though, as they say....it's gonna get ugly before it gets pretty.