Invisalign works in a similar way to metal braces; their main advantage is the fact that they are clear as opposed to braces. Your aligners are designed to put gentle force on your teeth, in different areas, and with careful timing, to bring them into a more aesthetic and functional alignment. Each aligner is designed to make only the slightest of adjustments.
Invisalign and metal braces both straighten your teeth for you, but Invisalign does not require metal brackets or wires. This means that Invisalign is less obvious and less restrictive in terms of your diet.
In addition, the clear aligners are practically invisible in your mouth and very comfortable to wear. It is also easier to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy with Invisalign because the aligners are removable.
This is crucial to the effectiveness of your treatment. You must wear your aligners every day for 20 to 22 hours in order for them to work.
When you take your aligners out to eat and drink or to clean them and your teeth, make sure you put them right back in.
Avoid discoloration, odour and a build-up of bacteria by following these tips for how to clean Invisalign trays;
Each morning and night take your aligners out and clean both your teeth and the aligners thoroughly.
Always rinse them when you remove them.
Brushing the aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush can help remove some of the plaque.
Soak your aligners every day. The best way to make sure your Invisalign aligners are as clean as possible is to soak them in either a denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystals.
Always brush and floss your teeth before putting the aligners back in.
To use the system, you place your Invisalign aligner trays in warm water and add the cleaning crystals. You gently shake the mixtures to evenly distribute the crystals, and then you let the whole thing sit for about 15 minutes. Then you shake it again, remove the trays, and rinse them off in warm water. NEVER use hot water on your trays, as it could melt or soften the plastic.
While there is pressure on your teeth to align them, many patients are not very affected by this. However, it is entirely possible that you may feel a little discomfort and soreness, especially when you are starting with a new set of aligners.
This discomfort should clear up within a few days and should never exceed pain beyond some general sensitivity. As your teeth and mouth become used to the pressure from the Invisalign, you’ll find that the soreness dissipates and you can no longer notice the pressure at all.
For the early days, you can utilize minor pain medication, such as that for headaches, to help alleviate the discomfort if necessary.
Sometimes during Invisalign treatments, tooth-colored “handles” are required to give the aligners something to push against. They help increase the pressure on your teeth to achieve the proper alignment. They are invisible just like the aligners though so you will barely notice that they are there.
No, we do not recommend smoking while wearing the Invisalign trays. Smoking can cause significant discoloration which will affect how your trays look. If the discoloration is problematic, you may end up needing to replace them, which could be costly and interfere with your treatment progress.
This really depends on you. For best results, you need to follow all the instructions, making sure you wear your aligners every day for the prescribed amount of time. Also, like with any type of orthodontic treatment, you will need to wear retainers after your Invisalign treatment. This will help keep your teeth in their teeth permanently.
Just like with regular braces, the end of your treatment doesn’t necessarily mean that your teeth will be perfectly straight for the rest of your life. Most orthodontists will recommend that you wear a retainer even after the completion of your aligners’ work to prevent your teeth from moving back to their original position over a long period of time.
At Glencairn Dental Practice Group we aim to provide high quality treatment in a relaxed and friendly environment. Committed to the National Health Service, all aspects of NHS and private treatment are available.
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