Retention query

[Jenni]

I had mentioned refinements as a way of fixing a couple of issues I wasn't entirely pleased with, however, my dentist deemed them unnecessary. This made me reluctant to purchase retainers at that point, as I knew were any problems to arise I would be treated as a new patient losing my entitlement to refinements in the future.

I've been wearing my last aligner as a full time retainer for a few months now. However, I’m still not completely happy with the results of my treatment.

What I would like to know is if I asked for refinements now is my dentist obligated to provide them at this stage?

After a certain time are refinements unavailable to patients?

Do forms signed at the end of treatment have any bearing on a potential refinement phase or waive the dentist's responsibility to their patient?

Thank you in advance, your insight and advice is vey much appreciated.

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Thank you for your post.

At the end of the invisalign treatment, usually invisalign allow upto three refinements without additional cost to the dentist. Speaking to my friends, we think Invisalign have a time limit to ordering refinement aligners which we think is around 6 months post expected completion of Invisalign treatment. Although, we are not 100% sure of about this and you should confirm this with your own dentist.

Certainly if the dentist orders Vivera retainers, a message comes up on the Invisalign software saying that by ordering retainers you are confirming that the Invisalign treatment is complete and any future ordering of aligners for this patient will be considered a new case and will carry new case costs.

You should be aware that the final Invisalign aligner should not be used as a retainer as its not thick and strong enough to act as a retainer and might allow teeth to relapse.

I dont know what forms you have signed at the of your treatment and not sure about their legal implications. At Pearl, we usually do 1-3 refinements free of charge and get to a point where both we and the patient feel the treatment goals have been achieved before we order retainers.

If your dentist has not informed Invisalign that your case is finished and Invisalign have kept your case open, you might be able to ask a new dentist for an Invisalign case transfer to the new dentist and ask the new dentist to do your refinements. The new dentist will charge you for their time but at least you will not have to pay Invisalign lab fee for a new case. Occasionally patients transfer to us especially when they emigrate from another country to the UK and want us to finish their Invisalign treatment.

Best regards