Refinements Explained: The Final Touches to Your Smile

Introduction

Clear aligner treatment is designed to move your teeth step by step to give you a healthier, more confident smile. This is done through a series of aligners or steps in an initial treatment plan to achieve your ideal result. [1] While many treatments progress as planned, sometimes small adjustments may be needed after the initial treatment is done. These adjustments are also known as refinements. In this blog post, we will dive into what refinements are, when they are used and what the process usually looks like.

What Are Refinements?

Refinements are a normal and expected part of clear aligner treatment. They involve an extra set of aligners designed to fine-tune your results after you've completed the initial phase of treatment. [1] Small adjustments are common throughout the treatment, and studies show that needing more than one phase of aligners is often part of achieving the best outcome. [2] However, it is worth noting that Eon Aligner provides 30% less refinements compared to leading aligner brands. (Data on file)

Why Are Refinements Sometimes Needed?

Teeth do not always move exactly as predicted. This could be due to several reasons including:

• Biological differences between people
• Challenging tooth movements
• An attachment becoming loose or falling off
• Patient non-compliance

Even with perfect compliance, teeth don’t always move exactly as planned because each person’s bone and tissue respond differently to pressure. This natural biological variation is why refinements are a normal part of achieving the most precise results. [3]

Do Refinements Mean My Treatment Didn’t Work?

Refinements are common and do not indicate failure. They help:

• Enhance esthetic outcomes
• Perfect bite alignment
• Address slow or resistant tooth movements

Refinements are a common part of a step-by-step treatment strategy that helps improve accuracy. By checking how your teeth have moved after the first phase, your doctor can make small, targeted adjustments to ensure your final results are as desired. [3].

What Do Refinements Usually Address?

• Common reasons for refinements include:
  
  • Teeth that have not fully rotated as needed: Some teeth such as canines or premolars, can be stubborn and may need extra time to fully rotate
  • Small spaces or crowding: Minor gaps or overlapping areas may require further alignment.
  • Gaps that didn’t fully close:  Spaces between teeth that remain after treatment may need refinement.
  • Bite is too deep: When the top front teeth still overlap the bottom teeth more than they should, refinements help create a more esthetic and balanced bite
  • Smile midline alignment: Minor adjustments may be needed to improve how your upper and lower teeth align at the center of your smile.

Refinements are most often used in cases involving rotations, anterior intrusion, or other complex movements. [4]

How Common Are Refinements?

Research shows that many aligner patients undergo the refinement phase. Complex cases and older patients are more likely to require refinement steps, a normal and expected part of treatment to help achieve the desired results. [2]

What Does the Refinement Process Look Like?

The refinement phase is easy and straightforward, and very similar to how your treatment started. Here’s what to expect:

1. Review & Scan
   Your doctor will check your progress and take a new 3D scan or updated photos of your teeth.
2. Updated Plan
   Based on your results, a customized refinement plan is created. This focuses only on the teeth that need final adjustments.
3. Extra Aligners
   An extra set of aligners is made just for you, usually fewer in number than your original set.
4. Continue Wearing
   You will wear your refinement aligners just like before (usually 1–2 weeks per tray), ensuring you reach the desired outcome.

How Patient Habits Affect the Need for Refinements?

Patient compliance is a major factor. Refinements are more likely if:

• Aligners are not worn for the recommended 22 hours per day
• Progress appointments are missed

However, even with full compliance, some patients may still require refinements due to natural differences in how each person’s teeth and bones respond to treatment forces. [2]

How Eon Aligner Supports Refinements

Eon Aligner provides comprehensive clinical support to doctors throughout the treatment process, helping them achieve their goals with the desired clinical outcome. It has also been shown that Eon Aligner treatment requires 30% fewer refinements* compared to leading aligner brands, along with a lower rate of mid-course adjustments* supporting more predictable movements and an efficient treatment journey. Together, these benefits create a more efficient workflow and enhance satisfaction for both doctors and patients. (Data on file)

Final Takeaway

Refinements are not a flaw or a doctor's mistake, they are a normal part of aligner treatment. With proper patient compliance and doctor's guidance, refinements ensure treatment success through fine-tuning, thus, bringing you closer to the smile you've always wanted.