Hello Im an Australian guy who has been living in London and decided to get Invisalign treatment while I was here.
I had a couple of badly protrouding teeth on my upper set that I was a bit self conscious of. Also My midline seemed to be few mm's off with the centre of my face which I badly wanted corrected.
My provider gave me 13 Uppers and 6 Lowers which will take 26 weeks (6 Months). This didn't seem like much considering the first provider I was considering said my treatment would take 14-16 months! I really don't understand how there can be such a discrepency between providers but that's another matter. I am seeing Dr Tapesh Anand at the Q-clinic who has completed over 1000 cases. Anyone else been to him? He claimed he was an Orthodontist but no where any where can I find any proof of this.
I've finished the lower and almost finished tray 8 of the upper and the tooth that really protrouds has hardly moved it seems. I know there's still time left but I can't see how it's possibly going to move enough. I have recently learned that there are things called refinement trays from reading forums but my provider never mentioned anything about these. Looking how things are going I feel I may need them.
So I want to know were most of you happy at the end of your initial treatment or did you need refinement? Was it free? How long did the refinement process last because I am almost ready to go home and don't want to be stranded in the UK for a long time but at the same time I have spent a lot of money and want the best possible result.
Thanks
Questions about refinements
Moderator: bbsadmin
Hi,
I had the same problem. I had an overbite which I wanted badly to correct. However, the treatment was coming to end and my teeth were straight but the overbite was still there. The very last sets corrected this problem. I did need refinements cause I wasn't happy with the result.
THey are just adittional sets. I got 8 sets of refinements and they made my teeth the way I wanted them to look . I am happy with the result now.
My refinements were free, they are normally included in the treatment.
I had the same problem. I had an overbite which I wanted badly to correct. However, the treatment was coming to end and my teeth were straight but the overbite was still there. The very last sets corrected this problem. I did need refinements cause I wasn't happy with the result.
THey are just adittional sets. I got 8 sets of refinements and they made my teeth the way I wanted them to look . I am happy with the result now.
My refinements were free, they are normally included in the treatment.
started invisalign 23rd March 2009
finished invisalign 3 June 2010
finished invisalign 3 June 2010
According to the qclinic website, Dr. Tapesh Anand was educated in Guys’ Dental school in U.K. and qualified as a dentist in 1999. It doesn’t say that he’s an orthodontist. It seems like his practice specialises in cosmetic dentistry.
The length and need for refinement varies according to individual results at the end of the initial treatment. Some don’t need it while others need 20+ trays. Refinement is usually included in the treatment fees but you may want to call to confirm.
Just an observation … From the postings in this and other forums, I notice that many U.K. posters tend to refer to their dentists who treat them with Invisalign as orthodontists although the latter have much more specialized skills, knowledge and training in orthodontic treatments. Not sure why there’s such a confusion.
The length and need for refinement varies according to individual results at the end of the initial treatment. Some don’t need it while others need 20+ trays. Refinement is usually included in the treatment fees but you may want to call to confirm.
Just an observation … From the postings in this and other forums, I notice that many U.K. posters tend to refer to their dentists who treat them with Invisalign as orthodontists although the latter have much more specialized skills, knowledge and training in orthodontic treatments. Not sure why there’s such a confusion.
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myhollywoodsmile
- Posts: 218
- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:20 am
- Location: Brisbane
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Hi there,
Refinements are basically just another series of aligners. How many attempts at refinements you get depends on what invisalign program you are on (full, express etc) and what you individual contract with your dentist says.
I personally get three attempts at refinements and am currently in refinement. I actually had 34 lower as a first run and now have 54 refinements. However, this was planned by my orthodontist who wanted to deal with my very complex issues in 2 stages.
You do still have a considerable number of aligners to go, so it may work in time. Often the first few aligners are making space for a tooth to move into place. However, most people do need refinements at the end of their first run of Invisalign, this doesn't mean there's a problem, it is just similar to metal braces where your orthodontist tweaks them depending on how your teeth are moving. Everybody's teeth and compliance level are different. Refinements simply reflect that.
Good Luck.
Refinements are basically just another series of aligners. How many attempts at refinements you get depends on what invisalign program you are on (full, express etc) and what you individual contract with your dentist says.
I personally get three attempts at refinements and am currently in refinement. I actually had 34 lower as a first run and now have 54 refinements. However, this was planned by my orthodontist who wanted to deal with my very complex issues in 2 stages.
You do still have a considerable number of aligners to go, so it may work in time. Often the first few aligners are making space for a tooth to move into place. However, most people do need refinements at the end of their first run of Invisalign, this doesn't mean there's a problem, it is just similar to metal braces where your orthodontist tweaks them depending on how your teeth are moving. Everybody's teeth and compliance level are different. Refinements simply reflect that.
Good Luck.
Waspen - I also think it's important to consider whether your teeth are tracking along with the trays. If the tooth that is protruding is exactly where the aligner says it should be, then just give it time... the final aligner should look like the 'finished product' - in between now and then, as long as your teeth are tracking, don't worry too much.
On the Invisalign Australia site you can clearly see if the provider is an Orthodontist or a Dentist instantly.Robin8 wrote: Just an observation … From the postings in this and other forums, I notice that many U.K. posters tend to refer to their dentists who treat them with Invisalign as orthodontists although the latter have much more specialized skills, knowledge and training in orthodontic treatments. Not sure why there’s such a confusion.
The UK site doesn't distinguish what they are and when I investigated it seems that all the top matches who have had most experience turn out to be dentists! I found it very confusing.