More than 62% of the adult population in Australia have sought the help of an orthodontic treatment to improve their smiles. Adult orthodontics used to be rare, but now more and more people are recognising the ease of fixing crooked or misaligned teeth at any stage in life. Invisalign is clear and easy, which is why its popularity continues to grow every day.
If you’re on the fence about straightening your teeth as an adult, read this article for some common questions answered about Invisalign – a solution that could work perfectly for you.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign clear aligners are a cutting-edge teeth-straightening method that does not use the traditional, and often ugly, metal braces. These clear aligners help straighten teeth with removable trays that are practically invisible. With Invisalign, you no longer have to worry about brackets digging into your gums or traditional metal braces poking your cheek. Invisalign can be done for upper teeth as well as for lower teeth.
As part of your treatment, you will gradually progress to a series of increasingly comfortable trays. These trays are specifically moulded to the shape of your mouth, and you will be able to wear them throughout the day without discomfort.
Is Invisalign painful?
Invisalign doesn’t hurt during any of the moulding, fitting, or wearing stages. It may feel uncomfortable when you first wear the trays, but this goes away after about a day. You won’t need an injection to have attachments fitted, and they’re easily removed when your teeth are finally straight.
What to expect during an Invisalign treatment process?
The Invisalign treatment process is as follows:
1. Individualised treatment plan
Before you begin Invisalign, you will partner with a dentist to devise a personalised course of treatment.
One advantage of using invisible aligners instead of traditional braces is that each set is made specifically for the patient’s mouth, based on their requirements and desires. To get a comprehensive view of your mouth, your dentist will take moulded impressions, X-rays, and digital images.
Invisalign’s dental laboratory creates the aligners. They use software to estimate how the patient’s teeth will move, permitting them to make a set of Invisalign. The laboratory takes a few weeks to design custom-fitted aligners for the patient.
2. Wearing Invisalign
After your braces have been created, you will go back to the dentist so they can show you how to wear them. They will also tell you what to expect and give you some recommendations. You should wear your braces for at least 23 hours every day so that they work effectively. You can only take them off for hygiene or meals and put them back on as soon as possible afterwards.
3. Adjustments
Your dentist will need to adjust your Invisalign trays, much like they would with regular braces, but because there are no brackets or wires, this process is significantly easier. They will also change out the old aligners for newer ones during this time.
4. Retainers
Dentists usually suggest that Invisalign patients wear retainers to stop teeth from going back to their original spot. Retainers are mostly worn during the night when the patient is asleep.
What are the benefits of Invisalign?
Invisible Appearance
Invisalign trays are clear and invisible! That means they won’t take away from your appearance. This is a great option for people of all ages who want to avoid traditional braces with brackets and wires.
Comfort
One of the main advantages of Invisalign is that instead of metal braces, the trays are made from comfortable plastic. They fit your mouth and teeth perfectly since they’re custom-made!
Improved Cleanliness
One advantage of Invisalign braces is that they are removable, which means you can take them out to brush and floss your teeth. You can also clean the braces themselves! To prevent build-up, just remove the braces and rinse or brush them with your toothbrush.
Saves Time
Invisalign is a tooth straightening option that takes less time than other options. You will need to go to the orthodontist or dentist less often – only every 6 weeks on average.
Safe and Removable
If your child or teen is in sports or band, Invisalign might be a good option for them. Other orthodontic options can be uncomfortable and cause scrapes, but Invisalign trays are removable, which makes brushing teeth, eating, and everyday life more convenient.
Eat Whatever You Want
One of the worst things about teeth straightening is food restrictions. With many orthodontic options, you have to avoid your favourite foods. This can be a problem for special occasions. But with Invisalign, you can remove the trays and eat whatever you want!
Better Dental Health
Having straighter teeth not only makes you smile more, but it’s also better for your gum and dental health. When there is less crowding and fewer gaps, it is simpler to take care of your pearly whites. Plus, taking extra steps to have healthier gums leads to an improved quality of life overall.
Beautifully Straight Teeth
The results of using Invisalign speak for themselves. Invisalign leads to straight, beautiful teeth and a great smile. Possibly the best reason to use Invisalign!
Tips for care after Invisalign
Always Brush and Floss After Eating
With Invisalign, you never have to restrict your diet or worry about what you eat and drink. You simply remove the clear aligner trays whenever you want to eat or drink and then put them back in when you’re done. Just make sure to brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in, otherwise, bacteria will cause problems.
Always keep a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss with you so that brushing and flossing can become part of your everyday routine.
Clean your Trays
You should keep the aligner trays clean and hygienic. Before you put them back in your mouth, scrub them with a toothbrush and toothpaste. If you’re taking your tray out at home, make sure to rinse it with a prescribed mouth or a medicated soap. This will help keep bacteria and residue off of your teeth.
If you forgot to rinse your Invisalign tray with soap, don’t worry. You can just wash it with warm water to remove most bacteria. Just make sure you clean it thoroughly later on.
Always Treat your Inserted Aligners with Care
For the Invisalign system to work, you need to wear the trays for around 22 hours per day. If you keep taking them out to play with, you won’t get the full benefits of the Invisalign system.
It’s important to not take your Invisalign out too often. Ask a family member, coworker, or friend to help remind you of this.
Only Whiten Your Teeth With the Dentist’s Approval
If you’re considering Invisalign treatment, you may also want to whiten your smile. You can find store-bought teeth whitening gel, but it’s best to speak with your dentist first. They can help you pick a product that will safe and effective for both tooth enamel and preventing sensitivity or pain. Dentist office teeth whitening treatments are much more effective than over-the-counter products.
Switch the Aligners on the Schedule
If you have trouble following a schedule, set up reminders to help you remember when to switch out your aligner tray. If you stop following the Invisalign schedule that was made specifically for your case, your results could be compromised.
Follow the recommended protocol for how long to keep your aligners in
Even if you feel impatient, allow enough time for your current aligner tray to work. Switching aligner trays rapidly can lead to tooth damage and pain. If it seems as if your current tray has stopped working, it has not. Your teeth need time to adjust to each new position before moving to the next.
Do not use discomfort to measure the time to switch aligner trays.
Follow Your Aligner Order
Your Invisalign aligners will have clear labels telling you which one to use next. If you ever have any questions, call your dental office. Skipping an aligner or switching back and forth can lead to serious problems.
After you receive your customized Invisalign aligners, request your dentist to explain the details. Once you finish with an aligner, put it somewhere else and not back in the original tray case.
Store your aligners properly
Dentists have stories of patients calling them in a panic because they lost their Invisalign aligners. To avoid this problem, always store your tray in a special case.
Be sure to go to the dentist for your regular check-ups
As an Invisalign patient, it is important to keep your dental check-ups and appointments on schedule. This means keeping your cleaning visit, too, even if you recently visited your dentist for an Invisalign check-up.
If you are using Invisalign, talk with your dentist about having your six-month cleanings done at the same time as your follow-up appointments.
You must inform your dentist of any dental problems as soon as they occur
Even though some tooth soreness is typical during Invisalign treatment, any discomfort that seems unusual should be mentioned to your dentist.
The same goes for loose teeth, swollen gums, and other oral health concerns that seem out of the ordinary. These issues might not have anything to do with Invisalign, but it does not matter.
Bringing any concerns to your dentist’s attention is always the best course of action.
If you’re feeling a bit of pain after switching to your new aligner tray, try taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You may also want to avoid eating hard foods until your teeth feel less sensitive.
Always Wear Your Retainer After Invisalign Treatment
You will need to wear a retainer at night for the rest of your life after you finish your Invisalign treatment. This will help make sure that your teeth stay in their new, straight positions. If you stop wearing your retainer, there is a chance that it may drift out of place.
Are you ready to transform your smile? Book an appointment with My Local Dentists now for professional dental advice about Invisalign.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Natural ways to whiten your teeth
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/ss/slideshow-natural-teeth-whitening
Effects of medicine on teeth
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15485524/#:~:text=Adult%2Donset%20tooth%20discoloration%20following,the%20crowns%20of%20permanent%20teeth.
Teeth whitening options and safety
https://www.healthline.com/health/is-teeth-whitening-safe#by-a-professional