29 Dec What You Should Know Before You Start Invisalign
If you’re considering Invisalign treatment to transform your smile, there are a few things you should know before you get started. At Hicks Dental Group, we want to help you properly understand and prepare for any kind of dental procedure, especially orthodontic treatments. Aligning your teeth is a long-term commitment, so it’s best to learn as much as you can in advance. Continue reading for our expert tips on what you need to know before you start Invisalign.
What You Need to Know Before You Start Invisalign
Not Everyone Is a Candidate for Treatment
Although there is no age limit on who is eligible for Invisalign treatment, not everyone is a candidate. If you have large gaps between your teeth or significantly crooked teeth, braces may be a more effective option for you. However, Invisalign can help fix many common issues like overcrowding, overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, slightly crooked teeth, and small gaps between teeth. The best way to determine whether or not Invisalign is right for you is to consult your dentist.
Aligners Have to Stay In for 22 Hours a Day
Leaving your aligners in for long periods of time is what makes the treatment so fast and effective. Invisalign treatment requires wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours every day. Because you can’t eat or drink anything besides water while wearing your aligners, you will have to cut back on snacking and sipping on drinks.
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene is Crucial
Following a good oral hygiene routine is absolutely necessary with Invisalign. The bacteria on your teeth and along your gums can transfer to your aligners and spread around your mouth, putting you at a higher risk of tooth decay.
Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to protect your teeth. It’s also a good idea to schedule a teeth cleaning appointment before you start Invisalign to ensure that your teeth are in excellent condition.
Maintaining good oral health will also require regular cleaning of your aligners by:
- Brushing them with a separate, soft-bristled toothbrush every day.
- Rinsing them thoroughly after brushing, whenever you take them out, and every night before you go to bed.
- Storing them in a protective case when you aren’t wearing them.
Invisalign Offers Fast Results
The length of Invisalign treatment varies for everyone, but it is much faster than braces. You will most likely start to see results in just a few months. Keep in mind that treatment is only fast if you regularly care for your aligners and keep them in for as long as possible every day.
Your Aligners May Require Attachments
Depending on your treatment, you might need attachments, also known as “buttons” and/or rubber bands. Invisalign buttons are small bumps on your aligners that hold your aligners or rubber bands in place. Buttons and rubber bands can help specific teeth to align better and faster.
Aligners May Affect Your Speech
When you first wear your aligners, you will most likely have a slight lisp. However, as you adjust to your aligners over time, the lisp should become less noticeable and then disappear altogether. The more you talk while your aligners are in, the faster your mouth will adjust, so don’t be tempted to remove your aligners whenever you speak.
You May Experience Some Discomfort
Although less severe than the ache of braces, you may notice some discomfort when you first start Invisalign or change to a new set of aligners. The more you wear your aligners, however, the faster the discomfort will go away. Your discomfort should only last for two days at the most, so contact your dentist if any pain or discomfort persists.
You Will Need a Retainer After Treatment
In order for your results to last, you will have to wear a retainer after treatment is complete. The retainer will prevent your teeth from shifting and leaving their new alignment. Just like your aligners, it is essential that you wear your retainer for as long as directed.
Invisalign Clear Aligners in Prescott, Arizona
If you’re interested in Invisalign treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us! At Hicks Dental Group, we are happy to answer any questions you might have about what to know and expect when it comes to Invisalign. Call us at 928-445-6030 today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how Invisalign can help you get the smile you desire.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/29/2021). Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash