How to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment
Top Invisalign Tips from our Principal Dentist – Melanie Pittroff
As Theodore Roosevelt famously said “nothing worth having, comes easy” and when you undertake a course of Invisalign treatment, it is important that you fully commit to your plan in order to achieve optimal results.
For most people Invisalign offers them the opportunity to straighten their teeth without the restrictions of permanent, bulky wire braces. However, alongside this modern and convenient choice to wear clear, removable braces, comes a whole host of patient responsibilities.
It is important to understand that Invisalign is an intensive orthodontic treatment and in order to get the most out of it (and your money), I have shared with you my top tips.
How do Invisalign clear braces work?
Invisalign clear braces offer a contemporary alternative to traditional braces for those who want to straighten their teeth discreetly. Perfect for those with crooked or crowded teeth, Invisalign clear braces can close up gaps and carefully adjust over and under bites.
And the great news is, you don’t even need to wait until the end of your treatment in order to see the results. Using the latest in modern 3D technology, our state-of-the-art iTero Element Scanner can create a virtual treatment plan bespoke to you. Following a scan and consultation, we will create a set of Invisalign trays for you to wear each day, designed to gently exert pressure on your teeth and rearrange their position. But, in order to achieve a healthy and aligned set of teeth, there are certain rules you need to follow.
Commit to wearing your Invisalign aligners
The great thing about Invisalign braces are that they are completely removeable. So, when you want to eat, clean, floss or even whistle these transparent trays can be taken out. However, as a dentist, in order to achieve fast, positive results, I would strongly advise that you wear them for at least 22 hours both day and night.
In fact, each time you bed in a brand-new set of aligners, I would recommend wearing them as much as you possibly can, in order to allow your mouth to get used to them. Failure to wear them often enough not only slows down your progress but feels uncomfortable and tight when placed back on the teeth.
Before and After Invisalign Treatment
Listen to your dentist’s advice
It may be tempting to rattle through the trays in a bid for perfection, but there will be some instances when one aligner takes longer than another in order to achieve the desired results. As a dentist it is my responsibility to advise and inform you of the best time to change.
So, remember, good things come to those who wait, and sometimes a little extra patience is needed.
Take good care of your teeth
You may already have a good oral health routine, but with Invisalign it is important that you floss every single day. The aligners themselves collect plaque and bacteria which they hold against your teeth, preventing saliva from being able to cleanse the mouth efficiently.
I would also recommend that you soak your aligners regularly in a dental appliance cleaner or disinfectant as this will not only brighter and clean but will assist in killing off the common odour-causing bacteria, tartar and plaque that cause tooth decay and cavities. Alternatively, warm water and antibacterial soap will also do the job but try to steer clear of toothpaste.
Control your diet
As mentioned above, your mouth is not able to distribute saliva in the normal way. When wearing Invisalign clear braces your body tends to overcompensate for its lack of efficiency by producing excess saliva which could leave you feeling dehydrated. Therefore, drinking as much water as possible is strongly advised.
Wearing Invisalign retainers does confine your eating patterns, as they will need to be removed in order to do so. Where possible, try to consume your 3 meals a day and cut out any snacks in between as this will take away from your wearing time.
Practice makes perfect
Although way more comfortable to wear than metal braces, the two main gripes that I tend to hear, centre around tightening sensations and the alteration of speech.
Like anything, the more we do it the more used to it we become, and this is exactly the same with Invisalign. You may feel a pushing sensation against your teeth (especially when wearing a new aligner), but this should not be a painful experience, and this will lessen each time you wear them. You may also find that you talk with a bit of a lisp as you curve your lips around your braces, but once you have become accustomed to wearing them, you’ll soon begin to relax.
Be confident
You may be aware that you have braces but no one else will. Invisalign is well-known for being the discreet alternative to metal braces and that this why these transparent aligners have become so popular – even with celebrities.
And, if you are having a crisis of confidence, one look at your virtual plan, created by our iTero Element Scanner, will soon set you back on the right track.
A final word from us
So, if you are ready to start your Invisalign journey with us, then why not pop into Oakley Road Dental Practice and we’ll show you in advance how your teeth will look, post treatment, using our innovative 3D scanner.
