Invisalign is an immensely popular clear aligner system that corrects the position of your teeth. It’s subtle and comfortable, and the treatment is hassle-free. Those are just a small handful of the reasons so many people opt to straighten their teeth using Invisalign
As with any dental treatment, you’ll probably have lots of questions about Invisalign, like “How long will Invisalign take” and “How does the treatment work?”
Before you decide whether it’s the right teeth straightening treatment for you, it’s always best to get some answers.
Here are eight of the most commonly asked questions about Invisalign.
Much like fixed braces, Invisalign uses gentle, constant pressure to slowly move your smile into a more favourable position.
Unlike fixed braces, your Invisalign aligner is removable. Where fixed braces need regular adjustments, we can simply swap your aligners.
During your treatment, you’ll change your aligner approximately every two weeks.
Invisalign can close gaps in your smile, reduce crowding, and straighten crooked teeth. We also use Invisalign to fix complex bite alignment problems.
Because every case is different, treatment lengths vary. Some people wear their aligners for just six months, while other treatments can take 18 months or more.
During your initial consultation, we’ll take digital scans of your teeth. Using software, we’ll take these precise measurements and create an accurate treatment plan. By doing this, we can create a picture of your future smile.
If you want to achieve the results we’ve shown you, it’s vital you wear your aligner as much as possible. Although you can take your aligner out to eat and brush your teeth, we’d suggest wearing it for 22 hours a day or more.
Don’t worry; your aligner is comfortable enough that it won’t bother you—even while you’re sleeping. And it’s subtle, too, so nobody will even notice you’re wearing it.
The only drink you should consume while wearing your aligners is water.
Hot drinks will not only stain your aligner, but they could also warp the plastic, harming their effectiveness. Sugary drinks may cause staining, as will alcoholic beverages.
If you want to drink anything other than water, take your aligner out first.
It can take a few days to get used to wearing aligners. During this time, it may cause a slight lisp. Most people find any speech problems pass after a few days of wear.
If you do break or lose your aligner, don’t panic. Get in touch with us as soon as you can, and we’ll advise you on the next steps to take. Every aligner has a serial number, and the laboratory can recreate the aligner if needed.
That said, damage is rare because Invisalign is durable.
While you’re wearing your aligner, food debris and plaque can still build up on your teeth. Because your aligner is pressed against your teeth all day, it’s important to clean it often. This reduces the build-up of bacteria and food.
To wash your aligner, you can either use Invisalign’s own cleaning solution or gently brush it with a spare toothbrush and toothpaste and rinse it under lukewarm water.
Don’t forget to spend a little extra time ensuring your teeth are thoroughly cleaned. Brushing every surface, flossing, and using mouthwash will clear away plaque and reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Throughout your treatment, you’ll change your aligner at every new stage. One day, your teeth will reach their final position. And when you’ve achieved your smile goal, we want you to keep the results you’ve worked so hard for. To help you do this, you’ll need to wear a retainer.
Retainers are similar to aligners. Instead of moving your teeth, they stop them from moving back to their original position. You’ll need to wear your retainer as directed. For the first few months, this will typically be for longer periods of time; however, eventually, you can just wear it at night.
Invisalign creates beautiful smiles discreetly. Millions of people worldwide have found their perfect smile with this revolutionary treatment. Will you be next?
Get in touch with our friendly team today and schedule your Invisalign consultation.
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