Embarking on your clear aligner journey is an exciting step toward achieving the smile you’ve always wanted. At Newport Beach Dental Center, we use advanced ProMonitoring technology to guide you through this transformation efficiently and with fewer office visits. Here’s what you can expect throughout your treatment timeline.
Initial Consultation (Week 0)
Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Laura Sharbash. During this appointment, we’ll:
- Discuss your smile goals and concerns
- Take digital scans, photographs, and possibly X-rays of your teeth
- Assess whether you’re an ideal candidate for clear aligners
- Address any questions about the ProMonitoring system
- Review treatment costs and flexible payment options
This initial visit allows us to create a customized treatment plan specifically designed for your unique dental anatomy and goals.
Treatment Planning Phase (Weeks 1-3)
Once your records are complete, Dr. Sharbash will develop your personalized treatment plan. Using advanced 3D imaging technology, we’ll create a digital simulation showing the gradual movement of your teeth throughout treatment. You’ll be able to preview your future smile before treatment even begins!
During this phase, we’ll:
- Create a digital model of your current teeth
- Design a step-by-step plan for tooth movement
- Manufacture your custom set of clear aligners
- Prepare any attachments that may help with specific tooth movements
Aligner Delivery & Training (Week 4)
When your first set of aligners is ready, you’ll return to our Newport Beach office for a delivery appointment. This important visit includes:
- Fitting your first set of aligners
- Placement of any small tooth-colored attachments that help with specific movements
- Instructions on how to insert and remove your aligners properly
- Training on the ProMonitoring app and how to submit your digital scans
- Guidelines for wearing (22+ hours daily) and caring for your aligners
- A schedule for advancing to your next sets of aligners
Initial Adaptation Period (Weeks 4-6)
The first few weeks with your new aligners require some adjustment. You may experience:
- Mild discomfort or pressure as your teeth begin to shift
- A slight speech adjustment period (typically resolving within days)
- Getting accustomed to the routine of removing aligners for eating and drinking anything besides water
- Learning to maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing after meals
Most patients adapt quickly to their new routine and find the aligners far more comfortable than traditional braces.
Active Treatment Phase (Months 2-12)
The length of your active treatment will depend on the complexity of your case, but typically ranges from 6-18 months. During this phase:
- You’ll change to new aligners approximately every 1-2 weeks, as directed
- You’ll submit regular digital scans through the ProMonitoring app, allowing Dr. Sharbash to track your progress remotely
- You’ll have fewer in-office appointments (typically every 8-12 weeks) compared to traditional orthodontics
- You’ll gradually notice improvements in your smile alignment
- You’ll maintain excellent oral hygiene throughout treatment
One of the significant advantages of the ProMonitoring system is that Dr. Sharbash can monitor your progress virtually between office visits. If she notices any concerns, she’ll contact you proactively instead of waiting until your next scheduled appointment.
Progress Check Appointments (Every 8-12 Weeks)
Throughout your treatment, you’ll have periodic in-office visits where we’ll:
- Check that your teeth are moving according to plan
- Make adjustments to your treatment if necessary
- Replace or add attachments as needed
- Address any questions or concerns you may have
These appointments are typically quick and straightforward, especially when ProMonitoring has allowed us to track your progress remotely.
Refinement Phase (If Needed)
Sometimes teeth don’t move exactly as planned, or you might decide you’d like to make additional improvements. In these cases, we may recommend a refinement phase:
- New digital scans will be taken
- Additional aligners will be created to achieve the desired results
- Treatment will continue for a few more weeks or months
The ProMonitoring system is particularly valuable during this phase, as it helps identify the need for refinements earlier, potentially reducing the total treatment time.
Completion & Retention (Final Appointment)
Once your treatment is complete and you’re satisfied with your results:
- We’ll remove any attachments from your teeth
- We’ll take final records to document your beautiful new smile
- We’ll fit you with custom retainers to maintain your results
- We’ll provide detailed instructions on wearing and caring for your retainers
Retention Phase (Lifetime)
The retention phase is crucial for maintaining your new smile for life:
- Initially, you’ll wear your retainers full-time (except when eating or drinking) for about 1-3 months
- After the initial period, you’ll transition to nighttime wear
- Long-term, most patients will need to wear retainers at night indefinitely to prevent teeth from shifting
Follow-Up Care
We recommend periodic retainer check appointments to ensure everything remains in proper alignment. Most patients:
- Return for a check-up one month after completing treatment
- Schedule annual retainer checks thereafter
- Replace retainers every 1-3 years due to normal wear
Your Newport Beach Advantage
At Newport Beach Dental Center, our ProMonitoring clear aligner system offers several advantages over traditional clear aligner treatments:
- Digital oversight at every aligner change
- Early identification of any tracking issues
- Potential for fewer in-office visits
- Ability to preempt refinements
- Enhanced communication through the app
- Potentially shorter overall treatment time
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Every smile transformation journey is unique, and your specific timeline may vary based on your individual needs. For a personalized assessment of what to expect with clear aligner treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Laura Sharbash at Newport Beach Dental Center. Take the first step toward your ideal smile today!
