What to Expect When Getting Started with Invisalign

There’s a lot to love about the Invisalign® orthodontic system. First, the clear aligners are almost invisible while they’re being worn. You can easily slip them out for meals, so there aren’t any dietary restrictions. This feature makes it easy to care for your teeth too. And no wires or brackets means they can be a lot more comfortable than traditional braces.

But beyond the benefits of Invisalign, many people don’t know what happens during the actual treatment process. In this post, Valay Desai, DDS, and Prashant Amin, DDS, offer a quick overview of Invisalign treatment to help our patients at DNTL Studio in Upland, California, know what to expect.

Quick facts about your Invisalign treatment

Invisalign aligners are made of a special plastic that’s designed to provide gentle, continual pressure on your teeth. This plastic keeps your teeth moving into their proper positions without the need for tightenings used with traditional braces.

At the start of your treatment, you’ll receive a set of aligners custom-made for your teeth. Most people receive between 18-30 aligners for their treatment. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks, then it’s swapped out for the next set in the series. 

Each aligner set has a slightly different shape. It’s these differences that help your teeth move into their new positions over time.

During your treatment, you’ll have office visits every 4-6 weeks on average. At your visits, we’ll check to make sure your treatment is progressing well and answer any questions you have about your care. 

Get the most from your aligners

During Invisalign treatment, your aligners do most of the work. But there are some things you can — and should — do to make sure your treatment stays on track.

Wear them as directed

Invisalign aligners are designed to be worn for about 22 hours a day. If you wear them less than that, they won’t work as quickly, which means more time in treatment and more office visits. Also, be sure to exchange your aligners according to their schedule to keep your treatment moving forward.

Remove them for meals and snacks

Although aligners spend most of their time in your mouth, they should be taken out for meals. If you leave them in, chewing and biting can damage your aligners and make them less effective. 

Plus, food particles can get trapped behind your aligners, detracting from your smile. And finally, if you eat (or drink) foods with pigments while your aligners are in your mouth, the clear plastic will eventually stain, making your aligners a lot more visible.

Use your case

When you remove your aligners for meals or snacks, be sure to place them in their case — not a pocket or purse. The case will prevent your aligners from getting damaged and keep them clean. Avoid putting the case in the direct sun or near a heat source that could cause your aligners to warp.

Clean them every day

To keep your aligners fresh, use a soft-bristled brush and non-whitening toothpaste to clean them when you brush your teeth. Avoid hard bristles and abrasive toothpaste that could scratch the aligner material.

A more beautiful smile is in your future

Invisalign offers lots of benefits, and when your treatment is done, you’ll love your beautiful new smile. To learn more about Invisalign and how it can help you, call DNTL Studio to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.