8 Things you need to know when you're considering Invisalign
The quest for straighter teeth often begins with questions about the options that you have for treatment.
There are, of course, the traditional option of metal braces, veneers may also be a possible option for some, and then there are invisible and removable aligners that work great as well. Everyone's different as well as their needs and your individual needs may very well determine the most effective treatment to align your teeth.
But today, there's no doubt that Invisalign is one of the most popularly requested types of treatment due to the benefits that are offered by clear aligner trays.
Although you are likely already familiar with how the trays look, you might not fully know all of the details about what to expect during your treatment.
Want the details on Invisalign? You can find the answers that you need right here.
One of the first things that you need to know is that clear aligner trays can help shift your teeth into their proper positions. This can help to close gaps in your mouth and correct overcrowding. During the process of straightening your teeth, the aligner trays can also be used to help adjust your bite.
The first step to get Invisalign is to start with a complete exam at your dental clinic. During the exam, your dentist can check the severity of your misaligned teeth and bite. If they determine that you could be a candidate for the treatment, they’ll take measurements and images of your mouth that will be used to make your trays.
This is also the perfect time to ask any questions that you still have about what is Invisalign. For example, you can ask how long they think that you’ll need to wear the aligners. Keep in mind that your dentist can only give you an estimate since the length of your treatment depends upon you wearing your aligners as they are prescribed.
Aside from those basics, there are a few things you should expect when it comes to straightening your teeth with Invisalign.
#1 You Need to Wear Your Aligners Most of the Day
Your dentist should always include detailed instructions on how to take care of your smile. When you get your aligners, you’ll likely be told that you need to wear them for the majority of the day. Naturally, you’ll take the trays out to eat and brush your teeth, but you should expect to wear them through the night. As you can imagine, the more you wear them, the faster you'll see results.
#2 You’ll Need to Practice Speaking With the Aligners In Your Mouth
When you first receive your aligners at the dental clinic, you might notice that they feel differently in your mouth. This is because the aligner trays form a new layer that sits on the top of your teeth. Some people find that they speak a little differently at first. Speaking with your aligners in gets easier with practice, it just takes a little time to get used to speaking with them in place.
#3 You May Still Change What You Eat
People often think that aligner trays are one of the best treatment dentistry has to offer because they allow you to eat what you want. While you can take out your trays to eat a sticky piece of caramel or some delicious popcorn, you may find that you don’t always want to. Food that gets stuck in your teeth can stay there for hours when you have the aligner trays on. If you want to eat what you want, it's probably a good idea to carry some floss to remove food particles before putting the trays back in your mouth.
#4 You Need to Keep Up With Your Oral Hygiene
This may go without saying, but you’ll also find that all of the best practices for oral hyenine are still in full effect during your treatment. You’ll definitely still need to brush your teeth twice a day and floss, and you might even find that you need to do it more often.
#5 You Might Be Surprised by How Fast Invisalign Works
When you wear your trays for at least 22 hours a day, Invisalign can work faster than traditional braces. You can find out how many weeks you’ll need to wear yours during your dental visit as this will be a discussion between you and your dentist and based on your individual needs.
#6 You May Need to Have Attachments Placed
The field of dentistry also has ways to make the aligners more effective. Some people can have special attachments added to their teeth that make the treatment go faster. You might also wear rubber bands to help correct your bite.
#7 You’ll Likely Wear a Retainer At the End of Your Treatment
Retainers are commonly used in dentistry to help maintain the results of orthodontic treatment. Some people continue to wear their final aligner tray as a retainer. Others may need a different type. Either way, a retainer is the best way to ensure your teeth go back to the position they were in before your treatment.
#8 Your Treatment is Completely Personalized
Your dental care should always be personally tailored to fit your needs, and Invisalign treatment is different for everyone. Some people need months of treatment while others are done in a few weeks. Make sure to explore your options with an open mind since your experience will be different from everyone else's.
Learning more about Invisalign often leads to a desire to find out if this is an option that can work to make your smile more beautiful. Scheduling a consultation is the best way to find out how clear aligner trays can help you straighten your teeth with minimal changes in your lifestyle.
