Here Are 10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Started Invisalign
After having the privilege to treat patients who have achieved good results with Invisalign, we noticed that they all have one or two things they wish they knew before embracing the treatment. You don’t have to be caught unawares too, so we have prepared this article to help you better prepare for Invisalign Braces in Liverpool.
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment system that uses transparent aligners to straighten your teeth and correct your bites. Unlike braces that use metal wires and brackets to straighten teeth, Invisalign uses custom-made plastic aligners to gradually shift the teeth into their positions.
Invisalign is not only more effective but also less noticeable than braces. That means you can comfortably wear it even in public without anyone noticing it. More and more people are achieving great results with Invisalign (12 million to be specific) and you should give it a try too.
However, these are a few things you need to bear in mind before you get Invisalign treatment.
#1: New trays can make your teeth sore
One thing you need to know about Invisalign is that you will have to change your aligners every one-two weeks. You don’t expect your teeth to assume a straighter position overnight. It is definitely a gradual process. Each new tray is a bit straighter than the last, making it easier for your teeth to gradually move without causing any damage to your tooth roots.
However, you may feel a little uncomfortable in your new trays and it could also make your teeth sore. As your teeth shift to a new position, they start to hurt a little bit. For the next 48 hours after getting your first Invisalign tray, you may not be able to chew to your full potential.
But that pain will disappear once your teeth have assumed the new position. Even though the soreness or pain is just a very mild one, many people get disappointed at it because they weren’t expecting that at all.
#2: Attachments may be needed
When most people think about getting Invisalign, they often thought it is just going to be plastic trays that slid into the mouth and straighten the teeth. They assume the only time they will have anything in their mouth is when they have the trays on, and when they take them off to eat, their mouth will feel free and entirely normal.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. There are some little attachments you also get on your teeth when you get Invisalign. These attachments help the aligners use force to move/pull/push/twist your teeth into the correct position.
Even when you have the plastic trays removed, you will still have the attachments on your teeth. Though they are barely noticeable as they are made with tooth coloured composite material which is the same material we use for composite bonding, they may make you feel a bit strange, especially for the first week, after which you get used to them.
#3: You would brush your teeth many times a day
With Invisalign, you will need to brush your teeth more often than before. While the teeth are moving, plaque and food particles can get in the way and this can cause really bad breath and cavities. Because of this, it is always recommended you brush your teeth after eating anything.
However, most of our patients find using mouth ash after every snack and meal, help keep the teeth clean during the day whilst at work for example.
#4: Changing to new trays is better before bed
Since you will be changing your trays daily and will be wearing them at night, it is better to change them before bedtime. That means most of the adjustment time will be happening while you sleep and so you will be experiencing less pressure as the teeth shift.
#5: You will need retainers
It doesn’t matter how rapid your treatment is, when it is complete, you will need to wear a retainer every night to ensure your teeth stay in place. This is the same thing that happens with traditional braces.
Most people don’t know this about Invisalign, so for you to have that perfect smile for many years and decades, you will need a retainer to retain the teeth in the ideal position.
#6: The attachments can get stained
Do you remember those attachments on your teeth that help keep Invisalign trays in place and move your teeth? They can get discoloured easily if you don’t stick to a regimented tooth brushing habit.
Things like red wine, coffee, and other foods and drinks can stain the attachments and make the invisible composite turn orange. That means before you get Invisalign, be ready to stay away from foods and drinks that can stain the attachments. If you can’t, then you will need to stick with using straws for your teas and coffee and brush immediately after every meal and snack.
#7: It is indeed a commitment
You need to know that Invisalign requires you to be committed. Apart from always taking the trays out when you want to eat, you just can’t pop them back in when you are done. You will at least need to rinse your mouth out with water to remove any form of residue that might get into your trays.
Also, you will need to brush many times a day. Every time you eat your meal, snacks, or dessert, you need to brush and floss. This helps prevent any form of a bacterial infection or mouth odour because of food debris that might be lodging under your trays.
Therefore, if you are the type of person that has a hectic lifestyle or travel often, you might need to weigh your options very well before going for Invisalign.
We have a separate guide that may help with knowing what to expect with Invisalign: The Invisalign Process: What to Expect From Start to Finish
#8: You can’t eat or drink anything but water
When having your trays on, you just can’t put anything in your mouth asides from water. You will have to take it out EVERY time you want to eat. You can’t drink coffee, tea, or any clear liquid because they tend to leave residues inside the trays which can be very difficult to get out.
The chore of taking the aligners in and out will prevent you from snacking unnecessarily which in some instances, can be a good thing!
#9: You will have to wear your trays 22 hours a day
Before going for your Invisalign treatment, you need to know that you will be wearing it most hours of the day – precisely 22 hours. That means you will be having your aligners with you while going to a party or out to dinner.
It is important to remember that the teeth only move to the ideal position when the aligners are actually on your teeth. When out, your teeth are not moving at all. To ensure you get your perfect smile within the prosed treatment length, it is advisable to wear the aligners for 22 hours a day.
#10: Your mouth can get really dry
During the first few days of getting Invisalign, you might experience a really dry mouth (or have a lot of saliva). While that may not sound like a big deal, if you are working out with your aligners, it might get really uncomfortable, especially during the first week.
However, your mouth does adjust to the foreign object in your mouth very quickly, Usually, after 3 days your mouth would have forgotten the aligners were there.
Conclusion
While some of these points may look like Invisalign cons, we don’t want you to see them like that. They are just to get you prepared for things you might likely encounter with Invisalign braces.
However, the treatment remains the most effective and quickest option for straightening the teeth and correcting bites and has become the worlds most popular braces system with over 12 million users. So, if you really desire to improve your smile and self-esteem, this is just your treatment.
To learn more or to find out if you are suitable for Invisalign Braces, simply contact our friendly team on 01512581968 or why not request a call back by completing our Contact Form now.