10 Things You Need to Know About Invisalign
10 Things You Need to Know About Invisalign
Are you considering Invisalign® treatment to straighten crooked teeth or address a crowded or gappy smile? With virtually invisible aligners that are comfortable and easy to remove, Invisalign® is a fantastic and convenient way to achieve a straight smile.
However, as with any treatment, it’s good to know all the facts before you embark on your teeth-straightening journey. If you’re thinking of choosing Invisalign®, here are ten things you need to know.
1. Hardly anyone will notice you have aligners
Invisalign® aligners are clear and virtually invisible - so unless someone is looking at your mouth very closely, most people are unlikely to notice you’re wearing aligners. They’re custom-made to your teeth for a perfect fit and can even improve the appearance of your teeth in photos.
2. Invisalign® is more comfortable than regular braces
Traditional braces are often associated with pain and discomfort. The good news with Invisalign® is that it uses a completely different system which offers a much more comfortable process - in fact, most people say they only notice a little pressure during the first day or so of getting their new aligners. You’ll quickly get used to this and some people don’t feel any discomfort at all.
3. Oral hygiene is a must after every meal
You’ll need to remove your aligners before you eat or drink anything other than plain water. When you’ve finished eating or drinking, simply brush and floss your teeth, give your aligners a quick clean, and put them back in. You don’t need to change your diet at all, but you do need to carry a cleaning kit when you’re eating out.
4. Keep your aligners in as much as possible
Although Invisalign® aligners are removable, it’s important to keep them in for at least 22 hours per day to ensure they work as well as possible. If they’re in for less than 20 hours, they won’t be able to perform their alignment effectively, so keep this in mind when undergoing treatment.
5. That said, you can remove your aligners for a short time
While it’s best to keep your aligners in as much as you can, one benefit of Invisalign® is that you can remove your aligners for a few hours, such as for a special occasion. Just take care not to do this too often to avoid reducing the effectiveness of your treatment.
6. Invisalign® isn’t suitable for everyone
In some cases, such as when teeth have severe or complex issues, Invisalign® treatment isn’t a viable option. However, you may be able to switch to Invisalign treatment after starting with braces - talk to your National Dental Care Group practitioner to find out if you’re a suitable candidate for Invisalign®.
7. Be prepared to put in a little effort
While Invisalign® is a convenient and low-maintenance treatment option, you’ll still need to do a little work to achieve the best results. As we’ve discussed, this includes wearing your aligners for most of the day, cleaning them after every meal, and maintaining a high standard of oral hygiene. If you follow the instructions from your dentist, you can achieve a beautiful smile with Invisalign®.
8. Treat beverages like food
Aside from plain, cool water, you’ll need to remember to remove your aligners whenever you have a drink, not just when eating. Even hot water can warp your aligners, while beverages like coffee or wine can stain them.
9. There’s no age limit for Invisalign®
Invisalign® treatment is suitable for people of any age, so no matter how old you are, you can get Invisalign® if you’re a suitable candidate for this type of treatment. Invisalign® is also safe for pregnant women, so chat to your dentist about getting started.
10. Invisalign® treatment must be performed by a trained professional
As the Invisalign® method differs from traditional braces, this technique requires special training for practitioners. All National Dental Care Group dentists who provide Invisalign® services have undergone specialist training in this treatment, so you can rest assured you’re in the best hands.
Keen to find out more about the virtually invisible way to straighten your teeth? Book an appointment today and talk to your dentist about Invisalign®.