Top Five Invisalign Pitfalls

Class Two explains how to get Invisalign straight.

Clinical Pitfalls in Invisalign treatment

1. It is difficult to rotate mandibular incisors and maxillary lateral incisors through Invisalign. Recommend adding attachments even when Clincheck does not.
2. Careful and incremental interproximal reduction (IPR) can save a case. Doing a little even before it is recommended can allow for easier movement and less IPR all on one day.
3. Mid-course Invisalign corrections are better than refinements and are a good time to re-iterate compliance.
4. Never assume your first Clincheck is the right one. Analyze the movements to ensure they can physically happen. The default settings made for a Clincheck make a big impact but careful planning is what will minimize long-term stress.
5. When starting out, talk to someone that has done hundreds of Invisalign cases and copy their Clincheck default settings.

Managing the Behavioral Pitfalls

1. Put the responsibility on the patient. Do not let a patient move ahead in their Invisalign treatment when you are not achieving desired results.
2. Be an ethical associate. Price your Invisalign fee to include retainers. If it is a separate fee, patients will think it is an option – it is not.
3. Start patients out with two Invisalign trays at a time to establish compliance then move out to three or more.
4. When patients are complaining about their attachments, do not remove them. They will complain about refinement and the need for more trays.
5. Never sell your Invisalign case by telling a patient how they will “only need” a certain number of trays. Most cases will need refinement (you will look deceitful), so it is best to temper expectations.