How Invisalign Works: Step-by-Step Guide for Hanoi Patients

Time required: 30–60 minutes

Your first appointment is a consultation and a digital scan of your teeth using an iTero intraoral scanner. There are no messy physical impressions — a wand is passed over your teeth and a precise 3D model is generated in minutes. The dentist assesses whether your case is suitable for Invisalign or whether traditional braces would be more appropriate.

Time required: 1–2 weeks to generate

Your 3D scan is sent to Align Technology, which produces a ClinCheck simulation — a digital animation showing exactly how your teeth will move from their current position to the final result. You see your projected smile before committing to treatment. This is one of Invisalign’s strongest selling points and gives you the opportunity to discuss adjustments with your orthodontist before any trays are made.

Time required: 3–4 weeks

Once you approve the ClinCheck plan, Align Technology manufactures your full set of custom clear aligner trays. Each tray is trimmed to your gum line and made from Align’s SmartTrack material. The complete set is shipped directly to your Hanoi clinic. For dental tourists, this is the waiting period — either plan to spend time in Hanoi sightseeing, or fly home and return when the trays are ready.

Time required: 10–15 minutes

The fitting appointment is brief. Your dentist seats the first tray and checks the fit. Many patients also receive small tooth-coloured composite attachments bonded to specific teeth — these act as handles that allow aligners to grip and rotate or tip teeth with more precision. Attachments are invisible at conversational distance and are removed at the end of treatment.

Ongoing — at home

This is where the dental tourist advantage kicks in. You wear each tray for 22 hours per day and advance to the next tray every 1–2 weeks, following your orthodontist’s schedule. Because you have collected every tray in the set at your fitting appointment, you progress entirely at home. Remove aligners only to eat, drink anything other than water, and brush your teeth.

Every 6–8 weeks

Traditionally these are in-person visits, but many Hanoi clinics now offer remote check-ins via app photos for international patients — ask specifically when booking. If you are planning a return trip to Vietnam anyway, combining a progress check with a holiday is easy to arrange. See our guide on how to combine a holiday with dental treatment in Hanoi.

Common — included in most plans at no extra cost

Refinements are additional aligner trays ordered after your main set is complete to address any teeth that have not moved as planned. They are extremely common and are included in comprehensive Invisalign plans at no additional charge. Your orthodontist will take a new scan and order the refinement trays through the same process.

Ongoing after treatment

Once treatment is complete, you wear retainers every night to prevent teeth from drifting back. Retainers are usually clear and similar in appearance to aligners. This phase lasts indefinitely — teeth will relapse without them.