A popular alternative to traditional braces is Invisalign. If you have misaligned or crooked teeth, you can relax knowing that Invisalign is transparent. Thus, your confidence will not suffer and you will get to take selfies with your friends without them even knowing that you are wearing something. If you are considering getting Invisalign, there are certain things that you need to know about before you proceed with your decision. Let’s take a look at these things.
1. Eligibility
The first thing that you need to know before you can even consider Invisalign is whether you are eligible or not. The treatment is suitable if you have misaligned or crooked teeth. But, anyone suffering from severe malocclusions should not get Invisalign. With Invisalign aids, your teeth will be pushed backward or forward depending on your needs.
The results of Invisalign are the same as metal braces. The reason why people favor Invisalign is because it is invisible. Besides, the treatment is a lot faster unlike traditional braces which take more time to offer similar results. Moreover, if you only have a few misaligned teeth, Invisalign would be able to get the job done within a few months.
To find out the exact duration of the Invisalign treatment, it is best to speak with an experienced orthodontist. In your initial consultation the dentist will determine whether the Invisalign is right for you, will explain the benefits, and then you can decide if Invisalign fits your lifestyle.
2. Have to Be Worn During the Entire Day
For the optimal results, you have to wear your Invisalign aligners for the entire day. This means that the aligners have to be worn for at least 22 hours every day. Therefore, you will also need to wear them when sleeping. The only times when you can take the aligners off is while brushing your teeth or eating. The aligners are customized to fit perfectly onto your teeth which is why you should have no trouble wearing them for an extended period of time.
3. Require Removal While Eating
When you wear Invisalign aligners, you must remove them when eating. Make sure to avoid eating until you have removed the aligners. However, if you want to drink something, you do not need to take off the Invisalign. But, when consuming hot beverages such as coffee and tea, the heat may distort the aligners’ shape which is why it is important to remove them when drinking something warm.
Keep in mind that to get the best results, you only have a two-hour window for fitting in your meals. Hence, you cannot snack frequently or take coffee breaks until your treatment is complete.
4. Takes Time to Adjust
Now, it is important to know that wearing something in your mouth can cause some discomfort similar to when getting veneers. Expect for it to take at least a week or more to get comfortable with the Invisalign aligners. The teeth might seem somewhat loose during the initial stage of the treatment. There is no need to worry about the sensation caused by aligners as they try to straighten your teeth.
5. Always Brush After Each Meal
To achieve the best results from the Invisalign aligners, you have to maintain excellent oral hygiene. This means that you will need to frequently brush your teeth after each meal. Get in the habit of flossing to ensure that no food particles remain stuck between the teeth. Besides, it will also help ensure that you do not have bad breath and will keep cavities away.
In addition to the above, the aligners also have to be regularly cleaned using a cleaner as prescribed by the dentist to prevent staining.
6. Might Have Attachments
To speed up restoration, attachments might be added to your aligner trays. They are similar to small buttons and are referred to as Invisalign buttons. However, you do not have to worry about them as they tend to be invisible. The dentist will let you know if you need to wear the attachments.
7. Teeth Adjustments
Every time you wear a new set of aligners, you should be prepared to feel your teeth adjusting. This helps restore misaligned teeth to their perfect position. The procedure is painless and barely takes any time. Therefore, you can put them on and let them work their magic.
Conclusion
Invisalign aligners are the way to go. They allow you to achieve that perfect smile without the pain caused by ugly metal braces. Now that you know about all the important things about Invisalign, you can decide if it is the right procedure for you or not.