Invisalign is a commitment to your smile, oral health, and overall well-being. Yes, the aligners are practically invisible, and no one needs to know that you’re wearing Invisalign unless you tell them. But, Invisalign isn’t only about the aesthetics – there is much more that you, as the wearer, need to know before investing in this amazing modern dental innovation.
1. You have to earn your new smile.
Invisalign requires dedication on the part of the wearer. It is your job to carry out your Invisalign provider’s plan to the letter. You will be sent home with several sets of aligners after every dental visit, and these aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours daily and switched out every few weeks as identified by your dentist. By following this carefully plotted plan, cleaning your aligners properly, and keeping your checkups with your Invisalign provider, you will move your teeth and bite at the rate necessary to carefully and comfortably create a beautiful and strong new smile.
2. The aligners might hurt at first.
While Invisalign saves you from the discomfort of brackets and wires that wearers of traditional metal braces must suffer, you may feel a little discomfort at first. This pressure is a good thing – without the slight pressure you can’t be sure that the aligners are doing the job they’re meant to do, which is to gently move your teeth into their new positions. Different teeth are meant to be moved at different times throughout Invisalign treatment, so each aligner change will bring with it a bit of discomfort.
3. You still have to follow the rules.
Just because Invisalign is easily removable, that doesn’t mean you have the option of wearing braces sometimes and not at other times. The aligners are meant to be removed during meals and cleaning, but otherwise they should be in all the time. Sure, there will be special occasions when you might prefer not to have Invisalign on your teeth even though it is hardly noticeable. Talk to your dentist about these situations so you can get the green light without compromising your treatment.
4. Cleaning is a critical part of treatment.
Because Invisalign is worn for over 20 hours a day, it’s important to accept that the aligners are hugging your teeth snugly for extreme lengths of time. Cleanliness is so critical to maintaining the health of your mouth and the integrity of your aligners. Don’t eat or drink while wearing the aligners – this not only protects the aligners from damage it ensures that they do not become stained or discolored, making them unsightly. Rinsing your teeth and aligners before and after each meal also helps ward off bacteria and plaque that could get trapped between the aligners and your teeth, leading to enamel erosion and cavities.
5. Invisalign treatment is ongoing.
The typical Invisalign treatment takes about 12 months to complete. Some people only need nine months, while others will take longer. The length of treatment depends on a number of factors, including how well your teeth respond to the Invisalign aligners and how dedicated you are to the schedule of wear that your dentist has laid out for you. After Invisalign treatment is complete, the fun isn’t over – it will still be necessary to wear retainers to maintain the new position of your teeth and bite.
6. Other cosmetic dentistry treatments may be better for you.
If you are dissatisfied with your misaligned smile, Invisalign may be the right solution for you. But if you also have discolored or stained teeth or chipped or damaged enamel, for example, other cosmetic dentistry solutions may be a better choice. Solutions like prepless porcelain veneers are so versatile they are able to correct a number of aesthetic complaints at once. With veneers, you can get the straight smile you’ve always wanted.
Dr. John Moore at Cosmetic Dental Associates pioneered a revolutionary treatment, pairing Invisalign with porcelain veneers to correct problems that other dentists deemed irreversible or fixable only with extensive surgery. Find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign or another cosmetic dentistry treatment in San Antonio. Contact Dr. Moore to schedule your consultation.