Reaching your finish appointment is one of the most exciting milestones in your clear aligner journey. After months of wearing your aligners, completing your Dental Monitoring scans and watching your smile gradually transform, it’s finally time to reveal your finished result.
If you’re considering clear aligners, or you’re approaching the end of treatment, you might be wondering exactly what happens at your final appointment.
Here’s what you can expect when you finish your clear aligner treatment at Urban Smile.
First, We’ll Make Sure Your Smile Is Ready
Before removing anything, your Oral Health Therapist will carefully assess your teeth and bite to confirm your treatment goals have been achieved.
Your Specialist Orthodontist has already been reviewing your progress remotely throughout treatment using your weekly Dental Monitoring scans, but this final appointment is an opportunity to ensure everything looks exactly as planned.
Your Attachments Will Be Removed
The attachments placed during treatment will be carefully removed.
Attachments are the small tooth-coloured bumps that helped your aligners move certain teeth more precisely.
Removing them is painless and involves gently polishing the composite from the surface of each tooth. Most patients are surprised by how smooth their teeth feel afterwards.
Your Teeth May Receive Some Final Polishing
Once your attachments have been removed, your Oral Health Therapist will polish your teeth so they’re smooth and free from any remaining bonding material.
In some cases, we may also lightly smooth tiny chips or uneven edges that have become more noticeable now your teeth are beautifully aligned. This is only done where clinically appropriate and can help create an even more polished final result.
We’ll Take Your Final Smile Records
Once your smile is complete, we’ll capture your final records, including:
- A 3D digital scan
- Clinical photographs
- X-rays (if required)
These records allow us to document your finished result and are also used to create your custom retainers.
Many patients also love comparing their final photos with the ones taken before treatment. It’s often the moment you truly appreciate just how much your smile has changed.
Your Retainers Will Be Made
One of the most important parts of your finish appointment isn’t actually about finishing treatment.
It’s about keeping your results.
Your teeth naturally want to move throughout life, especially during the months immediately after orthodontic treatment. Retainers are what keep your new smile in its corrected position.
At Urban Smile, your retainers are custom-made using your final digital scan for a precise fit.
Your team will explain:
- how often to wear them
- how long you’ll wear them full-time (if required)
- when you can transition to night-time wear
- how to clean and care for them
- what to do if they’re lost or damaged
At your finish appointment, we’ll take a final 3D scan of your teeth which will be used to design your customer retainers. You’ll come back in about a week to collect your new retainers and your take-home whitening.
Related reading: Why Are Retainers So Important After Clear Aligners?
We’ll Answer Any Final Questions
Your finish appointment is also your chance to ask anything about life after aligners.
Some common questions include:
- How long do I wear my retainers?
- Can my teeth move again?
- What happens if I lose a retainer?
- Can I get replacement retainers later?
- When should I have my next dental check-up?
We’ll make sure you leave feeling confident about maintaining your smile for years to come.
How Long Does a Finish Appointment Take?
Most finish appointments take around 60 minutes.
The exact timing depends on how many attachments need removing and whether additional records are required.
It’s worth allowing a little extra time in your day because this appointment includes several important steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does having my attachments removed hurt?
No. Removing attachments is generally painless. You may notice some vibration from the polishing instruments, but most patients find the process very comfortable.
Will my teeth feel different afterwards?
Yes. Most people immediately notice how smooth their teeth feel once the attachments have been removed.
Do I still need to wear my aligners after my finish appointment?
You’ll follow the instructions provided by your clinician. In most cases, you will continue to wear your last aligners until your retainers arrive to help maintain your new smile.
Your Smile Journey Doesn’t End Here
Your finish appointment marks the end of active treatment, but it’s the beginning of maintaining your beautiful new smile.
By wearing your retainers as instructed, attending regular dental check-ups and looking after your oral health, you can enjoy your straight smile for many years to come.
Whether you’re just starting to explore clear aligners or you’re counting down to your final appointment, our team is here to guide you through every stage of the journey.
Ready to begin your smile journey? Book a free clear aligner consultation at one of our Melbourne studios and discover what’s possible with Specialist Orthodontist-designed treatment.