Invisalign is a popular alternative treatment to traditional braces that doesn’t involve bulky metal brackets or wires. Instead, it consists of clear plastic aligner trays that fit snuggly over your teeth to reposition them to their ideal places. It’s considered more visually appealing and discrete than standard orthodontics. That said, it’s not the best treatment for everyone. Keep reading to learn 4 facts about Invisalign that you should know before deciding whether it’s right for you!
Fact #1: It May Change Your Eating Habits
Many patients are pleased that Invisalign doesn’t come with the same dietary restrictions as braces do. You’ll remove the aligner trays for meals before cleaning your mouth and reinserting them when you’re done, meaning that you can eat anything you want. It’s worth noting, however, that you’ll still have to alter your eating habits to a certain degree.
For example, instead of slowly enjoying your cup of joe when you wake in the morning, you could find yourself drinking it more quickly so that you can put your aligners back in and resume your day.
Fact #2: You’ll Need Time to Adjust
One of the biggest concerns around Invisalign is whether it’s painful. The truth is that anything that physically moves your teeth is bound to cause some discomfort. You can expect some mild aches when you first receive your aligners and start to wear them as your mouth adjusts to the pressure. You might also experience this when you receive your new trays every 2 weeks or so. Thankfully, this doesn’t usually last long and dissipates in about 2 to 3 days.
Fact #3: You Need to Clean Thoroughly
You’ll be required to wear your Invisalign for 22 hours every day to prevent your pearly whites from reverting to their previous placements. Unfortunately, this leaves you at a higher risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease. When the aligners are in place, germs are trapped between them and your teeth and gums. They’re likely to flourish which can damage both your oral health as well as your Invisalign. That means you’ll need to be particularly diligent about brushing and flossing at least twice every day. If you can brush and floss after meals, too, that would be ideal.
Fact #4: Treatment Moves Quickly
Typically, patients can expect to complete their Invisalign treatment after about 12 to 18 months, compared to the multiple years it takes for metal braces to straighten your smile. For those with mild issues they want to correct, they might only need to wear aligners for 6 months! Plus, you’ll start to see results within 1 to 3 months, though some patients notice changes even earlier than that.
It won’t be too long until you’re able to remove your aligners for the last time and enjoy your newly perfected smile!
About the Author
At Seaside Family Dentistry, patients of all ages and stages of dental development benefit from an expert who puts their needs first. Dr. Alan Kellner provides a full array of oral health services, including Invisalign. He uses advanced imaging and state-of-the-art technology for accurate, long-lasting results. If you have mildly crooked or crowded teeth or small gaps or alignment issues you want to correct, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (954) 771-7636.