How To Get The Most Out Of Invisalign Treatment

Considered to be an excellent option today in terms of alternatives to traditional metal bracket type braces, Invisalign is typically convenient and less painful than wire braces. Here are a few smart and sensible tips on getting the absolute most out of your Invisalign treatment. For example, making it a point to floss each and every day will ensure the best in oral hygiene and dental health. With Invisalign treatment flossing is even more critical because the aligners allow food particles and gunk to be pressed up next to teeth [1].

Floss Each Day

In essence this means that saliva cannot do its job to help keep teeth clean when aligners are being worn. Always clean your teeth thoroughly and floss each day to keep teeth as healthy as possible at all times [2]. Another important aspect of getting the most out of this type of important dental treatment is to follow the 48-hour instructions as much as possible. In other words, every time a new aligner tray is received, wear it for the first two days as much as is feasibly possible.

Successful Treatment

In fact, your dental care provider will usually advise that aligners should only be taken out in order to brush your teeth. While it is always a good idea to wear aligners as much as possible, it is this first 48 hours that is really the most critical to ensuring a successful treatment. In general patients should commit to keeping aligners in at a minimum 22 hours each day. Always bear in mind that Invisalign only works when aligner trays are actually worn for a major portion of every day [2].

Changing Aligners

As a note of caution, when aligners are not worn routinely throughout the day, patients are less likely to achieve the results that they wish to achieve. Equally important is to make sure that aligners are changed in the right order and changed on time as advised by your dental care provider. Always plan to change aligners on time. Anytime questions arise with regard to what order aligners should be worn in or when an aligner should be changed should be directed to your dental care provider. Simply stated, anytime you are not sure about your Invisalign treatment, simply ask for help.

Speech Learning Curve

Finally, those using Invisalign for the first time should know that this type of treatment is virtually invisible and that most people will not even notice that you are wearing the aligners. Indeed, Invisalign aligners are much less visible than conventional metal braces [3]. As an added note, patients experiencing Invisalign treatment for the first time should remember that there is somewhat of a speech learning curve. The good news is that that curve is steep. In the beginning certain words may cause a lisp, but the experience will be short-lived. Contact your Walnut Creek dentist, Dr. Darvishzadeh at Walnut Creek Dental to learn more about Invisalign treatment.

References: [1] Invisalign vs Braces, What You Need to Know [2] Orthodontics and Invisalign For Teenagers [3] Invisalign Treatment