Orthodontists are aware that just because a patient starts a course of Invisalign or braces, that doesn't mean the rest of their life comes to a halt. Life goes on with or without dental treatment. So, if you were forced to stop wearing your Invisalign trays weeks or months ago due to a family or career matter, your orthodontist will be able to empathise. You should also be able to pick up where you left off--if possible.
Before you begin though, you should be aware that because of your break, your transition back into Invisalign might not be as simple as picking up where you left off.
Your Teeth May Have Relapsed
If you have been away for several months and your last aligner no longer fits, then your teeth could shifted back to their original pre-Invisalign positions. In this case, you will need to start again from the very first aligner.
Some patients are fortunate in that there is little relapse during their break from using Invisalign. As a result, they can pick up where they left off. However, there are some conditions which need to be addressed.
Remaining Treatment Time Is a Factor
Align, the creators of the Invisalign technology, allow for about two to two and a half years for treatment time. In general, if you take a break and later return to restart your Invisalign treatment, it should be within this timescale. For instance, if you stopped wearing your Invisalign aligners 6 months into your treatment and wish to start again 1 year later, you should have 1 year remaining within which to continue.
However, because new impressions will need to be taken, and aligners remade, you will be required to pay a fee. This is to cover the time and cost of redoing your treatment. The fee should only be small, however.
You May Have to Pay in Full
If your allotted treatment time has elapsed, then there is a very good chance that your orthodontist will have to resubmit your case. Unfortunately, this means you will likely have to repay the full amount. Your orthodontist may be able to strike up some kind of deal with their Invisalign manufacturer so that you don't pay the full amount, but it all depends on how much time has elapsed since you stopped.
Life happens to us all and orthodontists understand this better than anybody. If you have been away for several months, you can restart your treatment--just make sure you do it sooner rather than later. Contact local dentists if you have more questions.
Share5 October 2017
Hi! My name is Sarah, and as a busy professional, I understand the importance of making the most of my time. That includes everything from having productive working lunches to making the most of my dental checkups. I have created this blog to help you maximise your dental checkups. In these posts, you can learn how to prepare for your checkup, which questions to ask during your checkup and more. I am also going to have posts explaining why checkups are critical to your dental health as well as the health of your entire body. Happy reading, and thanks for visiting my blog!
