How To Get Invisalign | Things To Know Before Getting Invisalign

Orthodontics has been around since ancient Egyptians used cat gut and metal bands to straighten teeth. In the late 1700s, things got practical, and then they were fine-tuned in the late 1800s and early 1900s thanks to Father of Modern Orthodontics Edward Angle. Angle created the field of orthodontics.

Since then, orthodontics has been evolving. Today, people are getting braces, getting Invisalign, and getting a variety of successful orthodontic procedures, both from the orthodontist and dentist alike.

But what do you need to know if you're thinking of getting Invisalign, you ask? And is Invisalign worth it?

We've put together this list of 20 things you want to know about Invisalign. Keep reading to see how it can work for you and then jump in to get the teeth and smile you want.

1. Custom Fit

The Invisalign aligner is custom molded to fit your teeth to deal with orthodontic issues. It's made out of clear plastic. You get multiple custom aligners over the course of treatment to straighten your teeth. It's a slow, gentle realignment process for your teeth, which is nice. You wear each aligner for two weeks before swapping out for another.

2. Removable

The aligner is a removable tray. This means you can take it out when you eat and brush and floss, unlike metal braces. Yes, you can still have popcorn.

3. You Keep It In Most of the Time

You need to wear your Invisalign aligner 22 hours per day for the process to work efficiently.

4. Almost Invisible

Thanks to the clear plastic, the aligner looks close to invisible when it's on. People do notice that you have something on your teeth because makes your teeth slightly shinier, but it's not as noticeable as other methods. Also, when nearing the end of the two weeks, aligners often get a bit discolored. Cleaning helps.

5. Straightens and Helps Other Issues

Like metal braces, Invisalign aligners straighten teeth and help with crowding, bites, and spacing.

6. For All Ages

Invisalign isn't only for teens. It's for adults too. Adults love the clear plastic when they go to work since it's barely noticeable.

7. Regular Appointments Needed

You'll need to see your dentist every six to 10 weeks to keep on top of your treatments. The average length of the treatment is 12 to 18 months, but it depends on how much work you need to have done. You'll get several sets of aligners to take home between visits to swap out every two weeks.

8. Keep Aligners Clean

You can brush with your aligners with a soft toothbrush, but only very lightly. You can wash them with soap and water or a special Invisalign cleaning fluid. You can put them in a glass of water with a special Invisalign cleaning tablet.

9. Can Treat More-Complicated Issues

Using attachments, like clear buttons attached to your teeth as anchor points, helps your aligner get a better grip so it can pressure other teeth to move. Rubber bands work too, just like with metal braces, to make corrections to adjust malocclusions and other issues.

10. Get Used to That Retainer

After your teeth straighten, you'll give your aligners back and get a retainer. This is custom made to hold your aligned teeth in position from that point on. It's similar to the type of retainer you get after metal braces. You can also wear it at night.

11. Expect Some Discomfort

Like with metal braces, when you force your teeth to move with aligners, there is discomfort. Your teeth might feel loose or extra sensitive. But there is no discomfort on the inside of your gums as they rub against the plastic like there is with the metal bands and wires of braces.

12. Your Speech May Be Affected for a Few Days

When you first start wearing your first aligner, it could impact your speech and you might have a small lisp. But your tongue should quickly get used to it and your speech should be back to normal in a few days.

13. A New Way to Make Space

Instead of pulling teeth to make space in your mouth to align your teeth, interproximal reduction or stripping is an option to work with your aligners. It's a relatively new technique where a bit of enamel strips off to make room for the other tooth to fit in.

14. No Hot Beverages

The heat of a hot beverage could cause the plastic to soften and change form in a way that the aligner can no longer straighten your teeth in the way intended. Only drink cold water when you have your aligner on.

15. Take Off When Eating or Drinking Anything But Cold Water

Yes, food is a no-go with your aligner on. But you can pop it out during meals. Make sure you don't do any marathon meals that take up more than two hours a day, as you need to keep your aligner in for the full 22 hours per day. Cold water is all you can drink when the aligner is on.

16. Clean Between Meals and Snacks

Bits of food, sugars, and acids can get between your teeth and the aligner. If the aligner isn't cleared off, it can lead to decay and plaque because the aligner prevents saliva from getting to your teeth. The saliva does the trick naturally by fighter bacteria all day. Clean your aligner and teeth between meals and snacks.

17. Cost Depends on How Much Work You Need

The cost of Invisalign treatment varies depending on how much you need to do to your teeth and if you need any other related work. You can expect the treatment to be in the ballpark of what it would cost to treat your teeth with braces.

18. It Works if You Stick to the Plan

Invisalign works for most alignment issues as long as you wear the aligners as directed. If you don't, the whole treatment will take longer.

19. See Results in a Few Months

If you stick to your plan, you should start to see noticeable results in two to three months.

20. Whiten While You Straighten

You can whiten your teeth at the same time as you are straightening them. Simply add whitener to your aligners. Think of them as little whitening trays.

Now that you know the important details about getting Invisalign, you can decide if it's right for you. Have more questions? Ready to get started?

You want a professional that has experience with Invisalign. To start, give us a call. We're ready to answer all your Invisalign questions, give you a free consultation, and get you started with Invisalign as soon as you're ready for straight teeth and a gorgeous smile.