Invisalign done - Occlusal (Bite) Adjustment ?

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#1 Post by **pie** » Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:03 pm

I completed my refinement aligners a few weeks ago (21 normal aligners + 8 refinement). My ortho tells me I now need to complete some occlusal/bite adjustments (2-3 sessions -- 8-12 weeks) to perfect my bite before molding retainers.

He suggests I wear my final refinement aligners only at night so that my bite can "settle" during the day. I never heard of this until now; has anyone else gone through this and is it normal after the completion of Invisalign or Fixed-Braces? It seems a little weird to me as my bite does "settle" at days end (and I notice some teeth shift a little bit) but every night when I put on the aligner (feels a little bit tight), my teeth move back to the original positions the next morning (aligners fit loosely again).

Maybe it takes longer to notice significant results -- I will definitely talk to my ortho at my next appointment -- I just wanted to gather some info and user experiences. Any info is appreicated.

#2 Post by **drrick** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:29 am

totally normal and commonly done to 'fine-tune' things at the end of tx. Usually fairly quick and involves removing bite 'interferences' to give you a more solid, comfortable, and stable bite. No anesthetic needed just some light polishing.

#3 Post by **myhollywoodsmile** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:55 pm

Interesting, I hadn't heard of this although it sounds reasonable. I am looking forward to my bite settling again as at the moment only two of my teeth make contact and it is very uncomfortable at times whilst eating.

#4 Post by **Wireless** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:41 am

I'm about to finish my upper trays and my ortho discussed the need to settle my rear teeth. Part of the problem is the thickness of my aligners is producing a gap between my uppers and lowers in the rear. I have nine more lower trays than uppers. I have to continue to wear my upper tray while my lower teeth catch up. As I get close to the end of treatment, my ortho is going to cut off the rear of my upper tray to give my teeth room to settle. From this thread, it sounds like this is a normal part of treatment.

#5 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 3:43 am

Pretty sure the bite adjustment has to do with the posterior teeth contact as described by Wireless above. Invisalign tends to have an intrusive effect on the back teeth, something that doesn't show up in the Clincheck.

Good luck!

#6 Post by **drrick** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:27 am

Wireless wrote:I'm about to finish my upper trays and my ortho discussed the need to settle my rear teeth. Part of the problem is the thickness of my aligners is producing a gap between my uppers and lowers in the rear. I have nine more lower trays than uppers. I have to continue to wear my upper tray while my lower teeth catch up. As I get close to the end of treatment, my ortho is going to cut off the rear of my upper tray to give my teeth room to settle. From this thread, it sounds like this is a normal part of treatment.

Yes very normal.