Invisalign Touch Ups
Invisalign Touch Ups
The Orthoworks Touch-Up Program
Have you been dreaming of a beautiful smile but dislike the idea of spending a lot of money and/or time at the dentist’s office?
Then the Orthoworks’ Invisalign Touch-Up Program is just what you have been looking for.
The Orthoworks Touch-Up Program is doctor-supervised care designed for adults that need only minor tooth alignment requiring only a few months. The average Touch-Up Treatment time is 6 months or less. Most people choose Invisalign Clear Aligner Therapy for their Touch-Up for a variety of reasons, one of the most common being that no one will notice that you are getting treatment.
Patients with complex alignment issues may choose longer, more extensive treatment, but we know that finding a treatment that fits your lifestyle and budget are top priorities. That is why we offer flexible treatment and payment choices. Not everyone is seeking perfection. However, if you choose Touch-Up treatment and you decide that you would like a little more correction toward the end, you may extend treatment for an additional fee.
Why do teeth shift?
Bruxism is a term used to describe unconscious chronic teeth grinding and clinching while you are asleep or awake. This not only causes abnormal tooth wear, but also places pressures on the teeth that can change tooth alignment, as well as your bite.
As they get older, many people experience some natural shifting. Posterior teeth tend to shift forward over time, causing crowding of the anterior teeth.
Trauma, decay, tooth loss, or gum disease can cause the teeth on either side of the empty space to drift if the missing tooth is not replaced quickly. If this shifting remains uncorrected, it can lead to alignment and bite problems, as well as to irreparable damage.
Orthodontic Relapse
Orthodontic Relapse is a term used to describe the tendency of teeth to return to their original pre-treatment positions after orthodontic treatment. Studies estimate that up to 50% of patients will experience some form of relapse after completing orthodontic treatment.
Many adults dealing with relapse today may remember being told as teenagers that they could stop wearing retainers after one or two years. Retainers can help your teeth stay in place after treatment. Orthodontists today understand that teeth tend to change throughout a person’s life and now recommend that retainers be worn for life.
What are the causes of Orthodontic Relapse?
Although there are many reasons for teeth shifting after orthodontic treatment, the most common one is not wearing retainers enough. Retainers help to resist the forces working to pull the teeth back towards their original positions. After active tooth movement, the bone and gums need time to arrange themselves around the teeth in their new positions. Many patients do not understand the importance of continuing to wear retainers and, as time passes, gradually stop wearing them regularly, or stop altogether.
Inconsistent retainer wear is the primary reason patients come to Orthoworks for retreatment.
Make an Appointment
If you see that your teeth have shifted for any reason, we recommend that you make an appointment to see an orthodontist. One of our friendly Patient Advisors is happy to schedule a convenient virtual or in-office appointment. Give us a call at (650) 589-4563.
Questions the doctor will answer:
- Do you need minimal or more thorough treatment?
- If you are already wearing retainers, do they need to be adjusted, keeping in mind that they can become distorted over time?
- Do you need new retainers?
- Can we make minor corrections by adjusting your retainers?
- Is your movement caused by changes in bone and gum tissue?
- If you choose Touch-Up Treatment, how many months does the doctor recommend treatment for?
- If you choose Comprehensive Treatment, how many months does the doctor recommend treatment for?
- What are the long-term health benefits of seeking treatment now?
- What are the consequences of not receiving treatment?