Aug
Invisalign can sound too good to be true to many people. Clear braces. Fast treatment. Go about your life as usual without any interruptions. But it’s all fact. Invisalign really is wonderful. That doesn’t mean the treatment is self-explanatory for everyone. If you’re weighing your options – Invisalign or traditional braces, Invisalign or porcelain veneers – it’s time to get your biggest Invisalign questions answered.
Yes, you do have to wear Invisalign all day, every day. The only time Invisalign should be removed is during meals and snacks and when cleaning your teeth and aligners. That means for 20 to 22 hours a day, Invisalign is doing its work. Your Invisalign treatment plan is designed to move certain teeth at certain times, which is why it’s so important to wear the aligners exactly as instructed for the required length of time.
Life is busy, things happen, people get distracted. Maybe you forget to take your next set of aligners with you on a long vacation. Maybe you unconsciously leave your aligners out overnight every night after you’ve cleaned them. The most important element of Invisalign treatment is sticking to the plan. If you aren’t wearing your aligners when you’re supposed to, the next time you try to put them in they may not fit your mouth. If anything happens to your aligners or you forget to wear them for a long time, it’s essential to notify your dentist immediately to make sure your treatment is still progressing properly.
Invisalign attachments are small, enamel-colored composite “bumps.” The attachments are temporarily placed on your teeth so the aligners fit as snugly as possible and efficiently move teeth where they’re meant to be moved. Not every Invisalign patient needs attachments but it is important to discuss this element of treatment with your Haymarket Invisalign provider before alignment begins.
Yes. If you want your newly aligned smile to stay in alignment, you must wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment is complete. You may have to keep the retainer in place all the time for several months until only nighttime wear is recommended. Some patients are good candidates for permanent retainers. Just remember – retainers are an essential role of any orthodontic treatment. They stabilize your newly shifted teeth and keep them where they’re meant to be.
In many cases, it’s not possible for you to wear Invisalign if you’ve had cosmetic dentistry like a porcelain bridge, crown, veneer, or dental implant. Aligners are designed to move your teeth one by one into position, with different teeth (and their roots) moving at different times during the process, hence the reason for switching to new aligners every two weeks. If you’re sporting cosmetic upgrades or dental restorations, you’ll need to have a conversation with your Haymarket Invisalign provider about what’s possible for your treatment.
You should have questions before you embark on any major orthodontic treatment. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Sina Reangber, Haymarket Invisalign provider, to find out whether Invisalign will work with your oral health needs, lifestyle, and more, or whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign Express, Contact us to schedule your consultation.