Nearly everyone wants to have a straighter smile, but a lot of us don’t want to deal with the restrictions and awkwardness that come with braces. Luckily, there is another option – Invisalign, the set of clear plastic aligners that gradually and subtly straighten your teeth. Simply wear these aligners for 22 hours a day, only removing them to eat, drink, brush, and floss. Want to learn more? Keep reading as we answer some Invisalign FAQs.
Will People Be Able to Notice I’m Wearing My Aligners?
The whole purpose of Invisalign is that the treatment is nearly undetectable. Unless someone sees you removing your aligners at lunchtime, no one has to know. To keep your treatment unnoticeable, make sure to keep your aligners clean and clear.
How Do I Clean the Aligners?
Every time you brush your teeth, get in the habit of gently brushing your aligners as well. Rinse them with lukewarm water. Do NOT use warm water, as that could warp the plastic and compromise your treatment. Your orthodontist should also give you a kit to help keep your aligners clean.
Can I Still Play Sports?
Yes, you can still perform all of your favorite physical activities with Invisalign. Make sure to remove your aligners and wear a mouthguard instead to protect your teeth from injury. Nothing hurts a straight smile like a knocked-out tooth!
How Often Should I Wear My Aligners?
Treatment works best when you wear your trays for 20-22 hours a day. You should generally only take them out at meals and when brushing and flossing. However, you can temporarily remove them for a special event, such as a job interview, if you want to be extra discreet.
How Often Do I Get New Aligners?
You will receive a new set of aligners every week or two, as determined by your doctor. Each set is designed to be a different step in your smile transformation. Every six to eight weeks, you will check in with your orthodontist to see how treatment is going and to pick up the next batch of aligners.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
You may experience some mild discomfort when you wear your first pair of aligners. This should pass after a few days as your teeth get used to the gentle pressure being placed on them. In addition, with each new set of aligners, your teeth may need a little time to adjust, but Invisalign should never hurt.
Can I Still Eat All of My Favorite Foods?
Unlike braces, Invisalign comes with zero dietary restrictions. You can eat whatever you want, as long as you remember to remove your aligners first and brush your teeth before placing them back in.
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Last?
While braces typically take 18 months to 2 years to straighten your smile, most patients are finished with Invisalign in less than 18 months. It depends on how misaligned your teeth are, but overall, Invisalign takes less time to work than braces.
As you can see, Invisalign is clearly a better choice than braces. They allow you to live your life with more freedom and less pain and awkwardness. If you would like to straighten your smile with Invisalign, call your orthodontist today.
About the Author
Dr. Nathan Coughlin is a Board-certified orthodontist in McKinney, TX who earned his doctorate at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. Upon graduation, he received the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Award and the Outstanding Orthodontic Achievement Award. After finishing school, he underwent further training to become a Diplomate of Orthodontics, something that very few orthodontists have achieved. To learn more about how Dr. Coughlin can straighten your teeth with Invisalign, click here or call (469)-526-4040.