A realistic walkthrough of a typical moderate case (12 months) for a patient living abroad — so you know exactly what you're signing up for.
Month 0 — Everything before you fly
Week 1: You send phone photos through the quote form or WhatsApp. An orthodontist confirms candidacy, case type and price range within 24 hours.
Week 2: Questions answered, dates chosen, e-visa applied for (24–72 h approval). We share the clinic profile, doctor credentials and hotel shortlist.
Week 3–4: Flights booked. Your records appointment is scheduled before you board.
Month 1 — The India trip (5–10 days)
The only in-person block of the whole treatment: exam, X-rays, iTero™ 3D scan, ClinCheck® plan approval — where you watch your teeth move to their final positions on screen — then attachments placed and your first trays fitted. You fly home with your aligner series, a travel case, and a coordinator who answers on WhatsApp. Day-by-day details in how it works.
🎒 Most patients sightsee between appointments — the clinic time totals roughly 5–6 hours across the trip.
Months 2–11 — Home, in your routine
Daily: wear trays 20–22 hours; out only for meals and brushing. The first 2–3 days of each new set feel snug — that's the aligner working.
Every 1–2 weeks: switch to the next set, as numbered.
Every 4–6 weeks: upload progress photos through the monitoring flow; your orthodontist verifies tracking and replies with instructions.
Anytime: lost or cracked a tray? Standard protocol — step back to the previous set and message your coordinator; the plan adjusts.
Month 12 — Finishing
Final trays done, two paths:
Track finished on plan (most cases): your retainers are activated per the handover you received, with a final remote review.
Refinement needed (a documented minority): a short return visit — many patients pair it with a second India itinerary — or a scan near home where available.
Forever after — retention
Teeth drift for life; retainers are non-negotiable (nightly at first, then a few nights a week). Skipping them is how people end up needing treatment twice — it's the single most common cause of relapse cases we see.
How case type changes this picture
Case
Aligner stages
Typical duration
Likely trips
Lite
14–20
4–7 months
1
Moderate
20–35
8–14 months
1 (+ optional finishing visit)
Full / complex
35–50+
12–24 months
1–2
Your exact stage count comes from the digital plan — which is also what fixes your price before you commit.
Map Out My Timeline
Free assessment: case type, stage count, trip plan and exact pricing within 24 hours.
