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Invisalign offers an effective, discreet way to straighten your smile. However, many people are unsure of what to expect throughout the Invisalign process. If your teeth are crowded or spaced too far apart, it’s likely you’re a candidate for Invisalign clear aligners. If you’re experiencing any of these common orthodontic issues, talk to your dentist Fort Collins to determine whether Invisalign is the right fit for you.

Once you and your dentist Fort Collins CO decide that Invisalign is right for you, they will create a unique treatment plan for you. Your plan will depend on your specific needs and your treatment goals, but every plan will typically include several phases of treatment. At the end of each phase, you’ll be given a specially-fabricated set of clear aligners tailored to help you meet your goals.

Phase One: The Assessment

During your consultation, your dentist Fort Collins will create a digital 3D image of your teeth using x-rays or photographs. This image will be used to develop your customized treatment plan. Once your treatment plan is developed, you’ll receive all the necessary aligners for your first phase of treatment. You’ll wear each set for about two weeks before moving on to the next set in the series. As you progress through each set, you’ll gradually move your teeth closer and closer to their ideal positions.

Phase Two: Refinement

After you’ve completed all of your sets of aligners, you’ll move on to this phase of the process. During this phase, you wear a new set of aligners every two weeks that your Fort Collins dentist CO gives until you’ve worn each one for a total of about one year. Since these aligners are designed to work with the gradual movements that occur during the second phase of treatment, they’re made of a more rigid material than the first phase’s aligners. All of this means that they will keep your teeth in their new positions for longer periods of time and with greater force—which makes them more effective at helping you reach your orthodontic goals.

Phase Three: Retention

Once you complete your series of refinements, you’ll have to wear a set of retainers every night, which your dentist Fort Collins in order to maintain your new smile. These retainers are removable, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to put them back in after you eat or brush your teeth. Instead, you can take them out before you eat and put them back in when you’re done.

To find out more about the dental services offered at Harbor Dental, call our Fort Collins dentist CO at (970) 377-2456 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 2726 Illinois Dr. #101, Fort Collins, CO 80525.