Invisalign treatment uses a series of custom-made, clear aligners to gradually shift teeth into a desired position, offering a discreet alternative to traditional braces. This orthodontic process is guided by a specific, digital treatment plan created by your provider. If circumstances change mid-treatment, patients often ask if they can switch providers. The answer is yes, a mid-treatment transfer is possible, but it requires careful management of clinical, logistical, and financial details.
Determining Eligibility to Switch Providers
Before initiating any move, a patient must first review their original treatment contract to understand their current obligations and termination clauses. Orthodontic contracts often outline the financial responsibilities and procedures for discontinuing care. The stage of treatment also plays a role in the ease of transfer, as an early-stage case with many remaining aligners differs from a case nearing completion and moving into the refinement phase.
Reasons for switching providers vary widely, ranging from geographic relocation to dissatisfaction with the current provider’s communication or clinical approach. The patient is responsible for formally notifying the original clinic of their decision to transfer care. This notification is necessary for obtaining the required release forms and starting the process of record transfer to ensure continuity of treatment.
The Step-by-Step Transfer Process
The first practical step is to find a new certified Invisalign provider who is willing to accept a transfer case, as not all practices readily accept mid-treatment patients. Once a receiving provider is identified, a consultation is scheduled to assess the current progress and discuss the planned course of action. This initial meeting allows the new provider to understand the existing treatment philosophy and patient expectations.
The formal transfer is initiated by signing an Authorization to Release Medical Records form. The most important document is the ClinCheck plan, the proprietary 3D digital blueprint of the patient’s entire tooth movement sequence. This digital file, along with physical records like X-rays, photos, and any unused aligners, must be transferred to the new provider to allow them to take over the case effectively.
The new provider must formally accept the case transfer through the Invisalign system. The patient acts as the intermediary, ensuring that both the original and receiving provider complete their necessary paperwork and internal coordination. Once the transfer is complete, the new provider will create a new treatment agreement, establishing their clinical oversight and the financial terms for the remainder of the treatment.
Understanding Financial Adjustments
Switching providers mid-treatment introduces financial complexities that must be negotiated with both the original and the new practice. The original provider typically calculates a prorated refund for the unrendered portion of the treatment, subject to the terms of the initial contract. This refund may be reduced by any outstanding balances or administrative fees.
The original provider may also charge a separate administrative fee for compiling and transferring the complete patient file, including the ClinCheck data. The patient enters a new financial arrangement with the receiving provider to cover the remainder of the treatment and any required new records or adjustments. The new provider’s fee is often a discounted transfer fee rather than the full cost of a new case, but it accounts for their time in reviewing the case and managing future refinements.
Patients should anticipate paying a new consultation fee and a fee for the remaining treatment, as the new provider is now responsible for the clinical outcome. The total amount spent on the Invisalign process may be slightly higher than the original quoted fee due to the administrative and clinical overhead of the transfer. It is necessary to clarify all fees and refund amounts before signing the final transfer authorization to avoid unexpected costs.
Potential Treatment Continuity Issues
Despite the seamless transfer of digital records, a change in provider can introduce delays while the new professional reviews the patient’s unique case history. The ClinCheck plan is a fixed sequence of movements, but the new provider may have a different treatment philosophy regarding the placement of attachments or the use of auxiliary elastics. This difference in approach could necessitate a new set of digital scans or impressions.
The new provider may decide that the treatment is not progressing exactly as planned. In such instances, they may recommend a mid-course correction or a refinement scan to adjust the planned tooth movements. This step involves sending new digital information to Invisalign to fabricate a new series of aligners, which can temporarily halt progress while the new trays are being manufactured. The new provider is responsible for ensuring the remaining treatment aligns with their clinical judgment to achieve the final desired outcome.