How long I have to wait for my invisalign?

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#1 Post by **SimoSorriso** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:42 am

I took my impressions on July 17th and still my dentist didn't call me to let me know that my invisalign is ready

How long I have to wait from the day of the impressions since I receive my braces? Is more than a month now!!

#2 Post by **BraceFace2o1o** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:05 am

I think it can depend on what country you are in.

I am in the UK and the Ortho I was going to get Invisalign treatment from said that after the impressions had been sent off (to California), it would take about 4-5 weeks to receive the aligners.

(2 weeks after impressions/x-rays the computer simulation of my teeth would be ready
2-3 weeks later the aligners should have arrived)

#3 Post by **SimoSorriso** » Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:24 am

I live in Canada, my dentist told that could be done in a month but mostly depends on how many back and forth he'll need to do with the invisalign's technicians...
I can't wait to have my braces!!

Tue Aug 24, 2010 3:13 am

I'm also in the UK.

After my impressions were taken it took about a week for my clincheck to arrive. Once I'd decided to go ahead with treatment my dentist booked an appointment for 3 weeks after that date, and my aligners were in on time for that.

So if I hadn't spent a week in between asking questions about the treatment, I could have started treatment 4 weeks after my impressions were taken.

#5 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 5:14 am

Impressions are shipped via UPS with 2-3 day shipping to California where the impressions are processed. Photos and radiographs emailed to Align Technology may take a few days to be matched to the delivered impressions.

Your models are then turned into a simulation in Costa Rica. It takes a few days to construct the ClinCheck and for your orthodontist to receive their first simulation of your teeth. Depending on the movements shown, your orthodontist may require making revisions to idealize your treatment. Since simulations are made by techs rather than orthodontists, it is important that your provider spend adequate time designing your treatment and revising it as necessary. It may take a day or two for a new simulation after each revision. Techs also work on Saturdays while your orthodontist may not be looking to plan your treatment on weekends. Premier and Elite providers have their own dedicated technician who may be more familiar with specific treatment goals.

Your orthodontist may ask you to come in to view the treatment outcome prior to fabrication of the trays. Upon acceptance of your case, aligners may take a few days to make depending on the volume at the factory in Mexico. Other practices may choose to provide the simulation to you after fabrication.

Aligners are then shipped via 2-3 day UPS back to your orthodontist's office in North America. There may be longer times in other parts of the world.

The total time required depends on the above factors. Assuming no revisions or prefabrication consultation, the aligners could theoretically be ready in about 2.5-3 weeks. We tend to schedule our patients 5-6 weeks after the initial impression. If aligners arrive earlier, we contact our patients if they would like to begin treatment ahead of their originally scheduled appointment as most are eager to begin treatment!

#6 Post by **SimoSorriso** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 10:25 am

Thanks!!
I'm waiting more than 5 weeks now, but the strange thing for me, reading the reply from Dr. Tam is understanding how my dentist decide the price of the whole treatment without not even knowing how many trays I'll need. I already paid 1/3 of the whole treatment, but I don't really know if I'm going to keep trays for years or just months!
How the price is defined usually? By trays? Or just by dentist/orthod?

Thanks!

Tue Aug 24, 2010 11:49 am

My dentist charges the same flat rate for invisalign no matter how long your treatment is.

#8 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Tue Aug 24, 2010 2:03 pm

Depending on a variety of factors, the cost of treatment will vary. One major factor is usually the level of difficulty, which usually has a good correlation with the amount of time involved.

Our office has a range of Invisalign fees and the amount is decided upon at the initial visit, based upon my treatment plan. The key is that I am the one who chooses how long the treatment will take, whether there are extractions, elastics, or IPR, and do not leave this critical planning step to Align technicians.

This is exactly the way we plan treatment with braces. With enough experience, the doctor should be able to give you a good estimate of the duration of your treatment right from the beginning.

Good luck!

#9 Post by **SimoSorriso** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:07 am

So yesterday I had my appointment scheduled for Sept. 11th! It is still very far from how I feel should be but at least is a date!!

#10 Post by **Wireless** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 12:09 pm

It took 7 weeks for me to get my first trays and 6 weeks for a mid-course refinement. Several weeks is not uncommon.

#11 Post by **SimoSorriso** » Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:22 pm

Yes for me on Sept. 11th will be 8 loooong weeks, I don't even know how many trays I'll have!

#12 Post by **SimoSorriso** » Mon Aug 30, 2010 5:51 am

I had my invisalign on Saturday 28th, my dentist called me in the morning asking me if I was able to go right away! I did of course...I was so excited to start my treatment.
Anyhow, so far I don't have problems at all the only thing is just to accept to have this aligner in my mouth for at least one year. Sometime I feel asking my self: "ok, is enough now, take it off!". But I spent a lot of money for it and I want my teeth straight!
BTW it's true you have to be really motivated to do this treatment otherwise you'll feel that it is getting your life a nightmare!!

Good luck for everyone!!