Invisalign: The Secrets of a Successful Treatment
Teeth straightening has never been more flexible. With treatment options like Invisalign, you can discreetly straighten your smile without showing the world how you’re doing it. Best of all, wearing removable aligners means you don’t have to compromise your lifestyle or eating habits.
Treatment using Invisalign can take six months to two years, depending on your situation. During that time, you’ll wear a series of aligners that create a force that moves your teeth. But as consistent and effective as Invisalign is, much of your treatment success will remain in your hands.
So, if you’re considering Invisalign, how can you ensure you get the picture-perfect results we show you during your initial consultation? And how easy is it to stick to your treatment plan?
Let’s examine how to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment and learn more about the benefits of this life-changing teeth straightening method.
Wear Your Aligner As Instructed
Your Invisalign treatment is precisely planned using innovative dental software. It calculates every slight tooth movement needed to straighten your teeth and generates a unique blueprint for every aligner you’ll need to achieve the perfect smile.
Because the treatment is so precise, you must follow it as directed. This means wearing your aligner for at least 22 hours each day and swapping to the next step when we provide instructions.
Don’t worry; this still leaves two hours each day for eating, brushing, and any occasional activities for which you don’t want to wear your aligner.
Wearing older aligners too long or not wearing your current aligners enough could slow or impact your treatment outcomes.
Keep Your Most Recent Aligner
Although it’s essential to move on to the next aligner when directed and not return to wearing your previous one, it’s still worth keeping hold of your last set.
Invisalign aligners are made from durable, patented thermoplastics. Your aligner shouldn’t break, but if anything does happen to it or you lose it, having your most recent aligner to hand could at least help retain your progress while we get you back on track.
If you lose or damage your aligner, always speak to us immediately, and we’ll advise you on the next steps.
Take Your Aligner Out At Mealtimes
You should always remove your aligners when eating. Not only will chewing or biting anything with your aligner cause damage, but food debris can build up in and around it, causing staining and increasing the risk of dental problems.
Don’t Drink With Your Aligner In
As with eating, drinking with your aligner could also cause staining or damage. Hot drinks could warp your aligner, while anything other than water could cause discolouration and impact the subtlety of the treatment.
Don’t Let Anyone Else Wear Your Aligner
This might sound obvious, but it does happen. Don’t let anyone try your aligner to see how it feels or looks. You may have a friend or family member considering Invisalign and want to know more about how it feels. But letting them try your aligner on will cause it to become misshapen.
Every aligner is unique and made for the specific positions of your teeth.
Keep Your Aligner Clean
Just like your teeth, your aligner will also pick up bacteria and food particles throughout the day. Because your aligner is pressed against your teeth all of the time, it’s vital that you clean it often,
You can clean it using a soft toothbrush (not the same one you use for your teeth), liquid soap and warm water. Clean your aligner at least as often as you brush your teeth.
Brush Up On Your Oral Hygiene
Because you will always have an aligner against your teeth, you need to take extra care to prevent tooth decay and gum disease during your treatment. It’s good to refresh your brushing habits when your treatment begins.
Brush at least twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Floss daily, and use mouthwash too. During your treatment, ensure you keep up with dental hygiene appointments and dental checkups.
Invisalign at LUME
Invisalign is a comfortable, discreet, and convenient way to straighten your teeth. At LUME, we’re here to guide you through your treatment and help you achieve the best results.