Before you decide on Invisalign, things to know when you’re looking for a way to improve your smile so that your teeth are perfectly aligned? Many patients dislike the thought of metal braces as they can be uncomfortable. They are also very noticeable which may impact a patient’s confidence.

If you want to correct your smile discreetly and comfortably, Invisalign can help. Invisalign is an effective treatment if followed correctly. This article identifies what you need to know before you decide on Invisalign.

Your Diet Doesn’t Need To Change

There is no need to change what you eat and drink if you choose Invisalign. That being said, you may find yourself eating and drinking less than usual as you will have to remove your aligners to have anything other than water.

If you choose to keep your aligners in you may stain or discolour them which defeats part of their purpose. You won’t have any restrictions on your diet, but you will need to remove your aligners for meals and drinks. This is also the case with smoking. The ideal solution is to quit smoking before you begin your treatment. A natural look during treatment thanks to Invisalign’s clear aligners will not only improve your overall health but your oral health too. If this isn’t an option you must at least remove the aligners when you smoke. If you don’t you will permanently discolour them.

The continuous removal of your aligners may sound very inconvenient. However, the ability to remove these aligners is, in fact, a benefit. Metal braces can cause much discomfort and be difficult to clean as they have to stay in your mouth. You will eventually learn to juggle your diet around adjusting your aligners.

Caring Your Aligners

You will have to care for your aligners daily. The type of things you will need to consider are:

  • Cleaning them properly
  • Rinsing them every time you remove them from your mouth
  • Removing them when you eat and drink anything other than water
  • Brush and floss your teeth in the morning
  • Clean Invisalign trays first thing after waking up
  • Rinse the trays every time you remove them to eat (don’t use hot water or toothpaste!)
  • Soak the aligners each day in a denture cleaning solution
  • Brush and floss before putting the trays back in
  • Ensuring you follow your care guide

You will find that although this sounds like a lot of work, other forms of orthodontics remain popular you will soon work it into your daily routine. Once you get the hang of using your aligners you will soon do all of the above without thinking. You will see it’s all worth it when you begin to see your beautiful smile improving.

You’ll Wear Aligners Long Periods Of Time

Treatment can last anywhere from nine months to over a year. You must wear your aligners and you don’t become careless. If you forget to wear your aligners then you can expect to prolong your treatment time. This may cause patients to lose interest in treatment.

Some patients will give up because they aren’t seeing results quickly enough. If you remain dedicated to your treatment, you can expect to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours a day, although it’s recommended that patients wear them 22 hours a day for the best results.

You must allow your aligners to become a part of your daily routine. You won’t see results overnight, it takes time and dedication to achieve the best results. This isn’t a reason to be disheartened, continue your treatment to achieve your perfect smile. We’re certain your confidence will be at its highest!

Invisalign Isn’t Completely Invisible

It’s important to mention that the aligners are not 100% invisible. It’s safe to say they are close to invisible, though, and will often go unnoticed. You will find they are much more discreet than metal braces.

It’s likely your friends and family won’t even notice you have aligners in. This leaves you happy and confident when you smile. It’s an ideal solution for those who would like to straighten their teeth discreetly. The only sign that you’re wearing braces is the potential lisp you may develop at the beginning. This usually disappears quickly, leaving you to smile with confidence.

Regular Appointments

Each aligner will be custom-made to your mouth. They will be made to your unique specifications. Your dentist will take measurements of your mouth to create your aligners.

The Invisalign lab will create various aligners that are designed to be worn for a minimum of two weeks. You will then move on to the next series, this will continue until you’ve finished your treatment. Gradually the aligners will shift your teeth so they become straighter. You will need to see your dentist regularly to swap out your aligners. It’s important to book a check-up every six weeks to ensure your treatment is on target. 

If you commit to these appointments then you will see faster results and be closer to your dream smile. Many patients forget to attend their appointment, or some think that skipping one appointment won’t make much difference. The reality is these appointments are crucial to achieving straight and beautiful teeth.

Conclusion

We hope you find this article helpful before you decide on Invisalign. It’s important to take all of these points into consideration before you commit to using Invisalign, as it’s time-consuming and the results are not overnight, although completely worth it. 

By the time you reach the end of your treatment, you will feel confident every time you smile, and that will be a lot because you’ll want to show those teeth off. All your friends and family will notice how happy you are with your new look.