Invisalign is revolutionary. So many people were resigned to crooked teeth forever because they shunned traditional metal braces. Then these amazing practically invisible aligners came long and transformed orthodontia forever. But what’s the real story? What is it really like to live with Invisalign? Here are 10 truths about Invisalign that you need to know.
1. You really have to wear the aligners.
You have to go all-in when you wear Invisalign. When your Red Bank dentist tells you to wear the aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, she means it. Get lazy and wear your aligners less than this and you could see the progress you have made quickly reversing.
8 reasons to fall in love with Invisalign >>
2. A toothbrush will be your best friend.
After you eat a meal or have a snack – without your Invisalign aligners in your mouth – you will need to brush your teeth. This means stocking plenty of travel toothbrushes for your pocket, purse, or desk drawer. The last thing you want is to trap food particles or bacteria in between your aligners and enamel. This could cause cavities and the need for tooth-colored fillings. And you don’t want that problem while dealing with orthodontic treatment.
3. You can’t sip on coffee all day.
You might be an all-day java kind of person, or a dark cola sipper, but you can’t keep up these habits while wearing Invisalign. The tinted beverages will stain your aligners. And what’s the point of investing in a nearly invisible orthodontic solution if your beverage addiction discolors the aligners and makes them visible?
Can Invisalign correct your overbite problem? >>
4. Be prepared to make choices.
Because there are only two to three hours a day when you won’t be wearing Invisalign, you’ll have to make some decisions about when it’s actually worth it to remove your aligners. Birthday cake at the office? Happy hour on Friday night? Every removal of the aligners is time that your teeth are not being held in their new places. After you’ve added up brushing and flossing twice a day and three meals, you’re probably at the two-hour mark already. Choose wisely.
5. Invisalign is not maintenance-free.
While most sets of Invisalign aligners are worn for about two weeks before you change to a new set, you still have to care for the aligners. If you have something in your mouth for 22 hours a day, multiply that by 14 days. You gotta clean your aligners. This can be done with a quick soak once a day. And it’s a good idea to at least rinse your aligners after you remove them from your mouth and before you put them back in. Sound annoying? Compare this to picking in between brackets and wires of traditional metal braces. Invisalign is a piece of cake.
4 reasons so many people love Invisalign >>
6. The treatment is speedier than metal braces, but you still have to wear a retainer.
For most Invisalign patients, Invisalign treatment moves faster than treatment with traditional metal braces. Nevertheless, when treatment is complete, you still have to wear a retainer to confirm that your teeth are in the proper position – and stay that way. Straight teeth that didn’t get that way with some lucky DNA require a lifetime of commitment to keep them in place.
Invisalign is a commitment. But the result is worth the effort. No matter your age or station in life, talk to Dr. Carole Sherrod Jewell, a certified Invisalign provider, to find out whether you’re a good Invisalign candidate. Make your consultation appointment at Red Bank Dentistry today.
