Achieving a straighter smile has become more comfortable thanks to clear aligner trays. These dental appliances are discrete and removable, so they don’t attract extra attention and interfere less with your meals. However, they are only as effective for as long as you follow the prescriptions from your orthodontist.
In between clinic appointments, you’ll have to track your progress if you intend to keep your treatment plan in line. This brings us to the question, “How do you monitor progress while using clear aligner trays?” You’re in luck as DiMarzio Orthodontics walks you through setting up your self-monitoring routine.
The Value of a Guided Treatment Plan
Getting clear aligner trays like Invisalign starts with an initial consultation. Dr. Michael DiMarzio or Dr. Alana Marczak will look into your dental and orthodontic records and conduct scans. More importantly, we will discuss the smile you want to achieve. Your plans and goals will help shape your treatment plan. This will also guide your self-monitoring activities down the line.
At our offices, whether at Quincy, Braintree, or Milton, we use cutting-edge technology to take 3D scans of your mouth, teeth, and gums. We also use software to generate a digital mockup of what you could expect along your aligner journey—which can also serve as a guide as you check your progress in between clinic appointments.
Once your aligners are ready, we will ask you to come back to our offices to receive all your Invisalign trays. We will explain the overall treatment plan, when to switch trays, and how many hours you have to wear them each day.
Understanding how the process works gives you an idea of your targets and references. You can periodically refer to your mockups and treatment plans.
Self-Monitoring Practices for Clear Aligner Trays
The things that make clear aligner trays popular can also pose a challenge for everyday use. They are easy to miss because they’re near-invisible, and you can remove them when you eat. These reasons make self-monitoring crucial. Always missing out on your required wear time will throw your treatment plan off-course.
The key here is consistency. You can try out the following self-assessment checks to see if your aligners are performing as expected, and whether you maintain their proper use:
- Conduct regular visual inspections
As soon as you wake up, or whenever you brush your teeth, take a few more minutes to visually inspect your teeth and your Invisalign clear aligners. First, see if there are noticeable changes in your bite and your teeth alignment. Whether you have an underbite or an overbite, your aligners will gradually fix them. The same goes for teeth alignment; gaps should get smaller over time or your teeth slowly get into place.
The next thing to note is your aligner fit. You will go through several clear aligner trays throughout your treatment. However, they should all fit snugly and comfortably. If you ever see gaps in your aligners, feel them coming off easily, or feel pain when you wear them, let us know immediately.
- Create a photo diary
Clear aligner trays like Invisalign work by gradually moving your teeth into the targeted position. These small changes are easy to miss. However, tracking these small changes for longer periods makes it easier to see that your aligner trays work as intended.
Using your phone, take a photo of your smile once a day. If you’d like, you can take shots from other angles. It’s easy to track progress since each photo has a timestamp, so you can sort and organize them in a separate folder. Additionally, these photos can help you during your next appointment at DiMarzio Orthodontics. Our team can spot discrepancies based on the photos and adjust your treatment plans as needed.
- List down your daily wear time
Whether by traditional pen-and-paper or through your phone’s notes app, you can list down important details such as how many hours you wear your Invisalign trays. Conversely, you can note the times you take them off—whatever works for you.
General recommendations for clear aligner trays include an average of 22 hours of wear time each day. This may vary, depending on what Dr. DiMarzio and Dr. Marczak prescribed. Aligners are meant to be worn during sleep and can be removed during meals, or in the case of Invisalign, during special occasions.
To make your progress-monitoring journey a lot easier, you can check out some apps intended for clear aligner tray usage. Since we offer Invisalign for teens and adults, we recommend the My Invisalign app. Basically, you can note your wear time and update your photo diary in one place. Plus, it makes it easier for our team to monitor your progress as well. Below are some features that come with the app:
- Progress Photo Gallery
Take photos with the app and track your progress as you go along. The photos are saved in a dedicated location, making it easy to access and share its content.
- Aligner Time Log
This personal tracker makes it easy to log your usage, record the times you remove your Invisalign trays, and check your history to see if you comply with the recommended wear time.
- Invisalign SmileView
This self-guided smile simulator lets you visualize your smile after an Invisalign treatment with us. You only need to take a selfie and the app takes care of the rest.
- Find a Doctor
A personalized doctor-locating tool that connects you with nearby providers. If you’re anywhere around Quincy, Braintree, or Milton in Massachusetts, you can use the app to locate our offices.
- ClinCheck Treatment Plan Sharing
This tool allows registered providers like DiMarzio Orthodontics to share treatment plans with our patients, giving you access anytime. This information sharing is made in a secure environment, protecting your privacy at all times.
Start Achieving Your Straighter Smile Today
Clear aligner trays like Invisalign offer an excellent option for achieving a straighter smile with less pain and attention compared to traditional braces. Dr. DiMarzio, Dr. Marczak, and the rest of the team are committed to helping you make the most out of your treatment plan. This includes your self-monitoring journey. Schedule your free consultation with DiMarzio Orthodontics and achieve your perfect smile in no time.