Invisalign® Appointment Frequency
Crooked teeth, overcrowding, and a misaligned bite are just some of the malocclusion problems that can be corrected with Invisalign® treatment. At our dental practice, Dr. Byron Nordhus has found that Invisalign® is the orthodontic treatment preferred by many of our patients.
Invisalign® straightens the teeth discreetly and comfortably through the use of a series of clear, plastic aligners. This metal-free system is comparable to braces in its effectiveness, but many find this treatment method to be far more convenient.
When patients choose to straighten their teeth with Invisalign®, one of the first things they tend to ask is how often they will need to see the dentist throughout treatment. Dr. Nordhus discusses Invisalign® appointment frequency with our Wichita, KS patients, and provides them with a general outline of their treatment timeline.
Invisalign® Consultation
Prior to starting Invisalign® treatment, patients will need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nordhus. At this consultation, the teeth and jaw will be thoroughly examined to assess the patient’s specific orthodontic needs.
If Dr. Nordhus finds that the patient is an ideal candidate for Invisalign® treatment, he will create a treatment plan. Digital images and tooth impressions will be sent to an Invisalign® laboratory where the patient’s aligners will be fabricated.
The initial consultation takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and is one of the lengthiest appointments that a patient will have during Invisalign® treatment.
Starting Treatment
Within a few weeks of the patient’s initial consultation, the aligner trays should arrive at our office. At this time, another appointment will be scheduled. It is important that we test the fit of the aligner trays.
This appointment is also a good time to review the details of treatment, including how long the aligners need to be worn (approximately 22 hours a day), how often the patient needs to progress to a new set of aligners (usually once every two weeks), and instructions for caring for the aligners.
We will also answer any additional questions that the patient may have about starting Invisalign® treatment. Patients should plan for this appointment to last around an hour.
Invisalign® Checkups
Although patients will switch their aligners trays every couple of weeks, they will not need to schedule dental appointments that frequently. Typically, Invisalign® checkups are scheduled every six weeks throughout the Invisalign® process. These brief appointments only take about 15 minutes.
We use Invisalign® checkups to monitor how treatment is progressing and address any concerns the patient may have regarding treatment.
At each Invisalign® checkup, patients will receive another series of aligner trays, as well as explicit instructions regarding when to progress to each new set of aligners. We will always provide patients with enough aligners to get them to their next Invisalign® checkup.
Invisalign® checkups will be scheduled regularly until treatment is complete, which should be within 12 to 18 months.
Contact Us
If you would like more information about Invisalign® treatment, we encourage you to contact us at your earliest convenience. Dr. Byron Nordhus would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the treatment process, and whether you are an ideal candidate for this teeth straightening technique. Call (316) 721-6730 to learn more.
