5 Truths About Invisalign

You Google Invisalign. You read about it. You follow other peoples’ journeys. While you can get an idea of what’s ahead as an Invisalign patient, you won’t really know until you’re living it. Your best resource as always, is your Haymaket Invisalign provider. Find out the truth about Invisalign so you can have a successful treatment and get the most beautiful, aligned smile.

Truth: You must wear the aligners every day, almost all day.

You may hear of Invisalign shortcuts that can be taken or rules that can be ignored or steps that can be skipped. Don’t fall for it. There are no shortcuts when it comes to straightening your teeth. Invisalign aligners need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day and are only removed for meals and cleanings.

Depending on where your teeth are now and where they need to move to, treatment takes an average of one year to complete. Some patients are good candidates for Invisalign Express, if they have a less complicated alignment case, and this can take far less than 12 months.

Truth: Some of your habits may have to change.

Are you a serial coffee sipper? A dark soda drinker? Not anymore. Wearing Invisalign is a lifestyle, and it begins with only drinking water when the aligners are in place. If you want to have a cup of coffee, a snack, or a meal, you must remove the aligners first. Any tinted beverage will stain your aligners and, even though each set is only worn for about two weeks, that’s a long two weeks if they’re discolored and noticeable on your teeth.

Truth: You’ll think twice about snacks.

If you’ve struggled with willpower when it comes to whittling your waistline or sticking to a diet, Invisalign can be your BFF. With Invisalign in place, you have backup to support your determination to eat better or leave snacks behind. The last thing you’ll want to do is remove the aligners just to eat a cookie or piece of candy, and you’ll save your calories for mealtime when it counts.

Truth: Your toothbrush will be your BFF.

Not normally the type to carry around a toothbrush with you? Now you will have to be. Invisalign wearers must clean their teeth before snapping the aligners back in place to ensure that no threatening food or bacteria is stuck between enamel and Invisalign. You’ll want to stock up on travel toothbrushes or cases for your pocket, purse, briefcase, car, or office. Do everything you can to keep your teeth healthy while you’re undergoing Invisalign treatment.

Truth: You must wear a retainer.

Sometimes people are drawn to Invisalign because they are under the assumption that they won’t have to wear a retainer after treatment like regular braces-wearers do. That is incorrect. No matter what kind of orthodontic treatment you undergo, you’re shifting teeth from one part of your mouth to another – and you want them to stay there. Retainers are your insurance policy for newly aligned teeth, and you’ll need them after Invisalign too.

Find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. Make an appointment with certified Invisalign provider Dr. Sina Reangber at LifeTime Smiles in Haymarket.