What is Smile Touch Up?
Smile Touch Up is a short clear aligner treatment, usually 2 to 3 months, that corrects minor crowding or spacing. It is designed for teens and adults whose bite is fine but whose teeth have shifted slightly.
We take a 3D scan of your teeth, plan the small movements needed and show you a simulation before you start. You wear the aligners about 22 hours a day, taking them out to eat and to brush and floss, and change to each new set on the schedule we give you.
Is Smile Touch Up the same as Invisalign Touch Up?
Yes, it does the same job. Smile Touch Up is our name for short aligner treatment with Angel Aligner or Invisalign.
Dr. MacKenzie recommends the aligner system that suits your teeth. You can read more on our Invisalign Touch-Up page.
Why have my teeth moved after braces?
Teeth can drift at any age, and the most common reason is that retainers were not worn as often as planned, or were lost or broken. The lower front teeth are often the first to move.
Natural changes in the jaws and gums over the years play a part too. A retainer that suddenly feels tight, or no longer fits, is often the first sign. See My Retainers Hurt: What Should I Do? and Retainers Don’t Last Forever.
Am I a candidate for a touch up?
You may be a good candidate if you had braces or aligners before, your teeth have shifted slightly, and your bite still feels right. A free consultation tells you for certain.
A touch up suits minor crowding or spacing without bite problems. If your bite has changed or your teeth need more movement, we explain the options for full treatment instead. For a quick self-check, read Are You a Candidate for Invisalign Touch-Up?
How long does Smile Touch Up take?
Usually 2 to 3 months. Most full aligner treatments take 12 to 24 months, which is why a touch up is worth checking first when the changes are small.
Because the treatment is short, you need only a few visits, and for many patients some check-ins can happen through remote monitoring.
How much does Smile Touch Up cost?
A touch up usually costs less than full treatment because it is shorter and moves fewer teeth. We confirm your exact fee at your free consultation.
Interest-free monthly payment plans are available, and we direct bill most major insurance providers. Bring your insurance details so we can check your orthodontic coverage. See How Much Is Invisalign? and Payment Plans.
Do I need retainers after a touch up?
Yes. Retainers keep your teeth where the touch up puts them, so you wear retainers at the end of treatment. Most of our patients wear removable retainers.
Wear them as we advise and bring them to your check-ups. If a retainer cracks, gets lost or stops fitting, call us early, because a replacement is simpler than another touch up. Read more on our Retainers page.
What if a touch up is not enough?
Then we recommend full treatment instead, and we tell you at your consultation, before you commit to anything.
Full treatment with Angel Aligner or braces can correct the bite as well as the alignment. Adults can read more on Invisalign and Aligners for Adults.
Has your smile shifted since braces? Book a free consultation in Saint John, Quispamsis or St. Stephen and find out whether a Smile Touch Up is all you need.