If you want to straighten your teeth or correct malocclusions, traditional metal braces aren’t your only option. Invisalign is a modern-day teeth alignment option that has gained more preference thanks to the fact that it’s clear and typically invisible. Before getting started with this revolutionary advancement, here are a few things you need to know:
Invisalign aligners are removable
Invisalign is made of a series of clear, plastic, removable aligners that are latched on to the upper and lower dental arches. Given that they are removable, these teeth aligners are less invasive than fixed braces. You can always remove them while eating, brushing and flossing, so they’re never in your way.
You need to wear your aligners most of the time
If you don’t follow the dentists’ instructions, the fact that they are removable can work to your disadvantage. For you to achieve desirable results, you actually have to wear them for at least 22 hours per day - there’s no dancing around this. So even as you remove them during lunch and dinner times, just know that you’ll only get results when wearing your aligners. Immediately after you get your set of Invisalign, you need to wear them for as long as possible during the first two days. This helps you get used to them.
Treatment period
The state of your teeth determines the duration of Invisalign treatment. For simple cases where teeth are slightly misaligned, treatment time can be as short as six months. However, for more complex cases, the patient might need to wear them longer (24 months or more). For very severe cases, the orthodontist may recommend a combination of other orthodontic treatments. The bottom line is that no two people will have the same duration of treatment because everyone’s teeth are different. In your dental check-up meeting, the dentist will give you an approximation of the duration of time the treatment might take.
You’ll have to limit your morning coffees and late-night wines
Anything that can stain your teeth will also stain your Invisalign. Although these aligners are invisible, the small ridges that hold them together are prone to staining. For this reason, if you rely on coffee to fuel your mornings or relax with some wine in your late evenings, be warned. Every time you want to indulge in any of these, take the aligners out and brush your teeth before putting them back in.
They need regular cleaning
A murky, yellow, Invisalign tray is the only thing more noticeable than a piece of bean skin stuck between your teeth. This will happen when you don’t clean your Invisalign regularly. Just like you clean your teeth daily, you need to clean your aligners too. Since toothpaste ingredients are likely to damage the thermoplastic aligners, soaking them in special Invisalign cleaner or washing them in mild soap and water is recommended.
Invisalign isn’t right for everyone
Finally, although Invisalign can correct most bite issues like crossbites, overcrowding, gaps, underbites, and overbites, this option isn’t right for everyone. For very severe cases, the orthodontist may recommend braces. Some kind of pre-dental work may also not allow Invisalign treatment. If you recently got some porcelain veneers, Invisalign will not bond on the teeth surfaces.
For great results, you need an experienced Invisalign dentist custom-make your aligners. At Bonasso & Kime DDS, we offer exceptional dentistry that will have you smiling your best smile in no time!