How aligners move teeth, and what daily wear feels like from week to week, is explained in the guide to how Invisalign works at MapleRidgeClearAligners.com. This page is the view from our side of the chair: the appointments you will have at myORTHODONTIST Maple Ridge on Dewdney Trunk Road, in order, and what we do at each one.
1. The complimentary evaluation
About 45 minutes. A digital scan, photographs and, when indicated, an x-ray, then an examination of the teeth, bite and gums and, for younger patients, jaw growth and breathing. The orthodontist explains what we see in plain language. You leave with options and a written plan that includes the expected timeline and the full fee. No referral is needed, and nothing is decided in the room.
2. Planning, before your first aligner
If you go ahead, the orthodontist designs each tooth movement on a 3D model, rewriting the software's suggestions where needed, and you see the digital plan before anything is manufactured. Aligners usually arrive two to four weeks later.
3. The fitting appointment
Small tooth-coloured attachments are bonded where the plan calls for them, the first aligners are fitted, and we practise putting them in and taking them out with you. You go home with the wear routine, the change schedule and remote monitoring set up. This visit takes longer than the check-ins that follow.
4. Progress check-ins
Visits are spaced several weeks apart and most are short. The orthodontist confirms each tooth is tracking to plan, reviews wear time honestly, and adds elastics when the bite correction calls for them. Between visits, remote monitoring lets us spot a tooth falling behind early. Early and late appointment slots help these fit around school and work.
5. The refinement scan
Near the end of the main series we take a new scan and compare where the teeth are with where the plan expected them. Nearly every case has a few details left to finish, so a shorter series of refinement aligners is ordered. At our office refinements are included in the fee.
6. The finishing appointment
Attachments are polished off in a single visit that feels much like a cleaning, and we take final photographs and a scan for your retainers.
7. Retainers
Retainers are fitted as active treatment ends, worn full time at first and then nightly for the long term, because teeth drift for life. The retainers page explains the types.
Between visits
A cracked aligner or a sore spot rarely needs an emergency appointment. The emergencies and comfort page covers what to do at home and when to call us at (604) 463-1125.
Start with the first visit
A complimentary evaluation at myORTHODONTIST Maple Ridge: about 45 minutes, a digital scan, and a written plan with the full fee. No referral needed.