Our Langley Straight Smile dentists offer Invisalign® as an effective and low profile way to help correct a range of orthodontic issues. That said, Invisalign may not be for everyone. Here are a few points to consider before committing to Invisalign as your orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign Is a 22/7 Commitment
As easy as Invisalign aligners are to remove, effective Invisalign treatment still requires a serious full-time commitment, just like any other orthodontic treatment. To achieve the best possible results with Invisalign, you will need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 20-22 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the entire duration of your treatment.
We know that may seem easy, but it can be very tempting to take a little break from your treatment if your teeth are feeling especially sore. It can also be easy to just forget to put your aligners back in after taking them out to eat or clean your teeth. To keep your treatment on track it will be essential to resist this temptation and consistently wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours every day.
To achieve your straighter new smile within the timeframe laid out in your treatment plan, you will need to wear your aligners as prescribed by your dentist. The only times you should remove your Invisalign aligners are:
- When it's time to eat
- If you're drinking something hot or containing a dark pigment such as red wine or coffee
- When cleaning your teeth
- When practicing a wind instrument
- While playing a contact sport (Don't forget to wear a sports mouthguard while you play!)
A serious full-time commitment to your orthodontic treatment is essential if you want to achieve a straighter smile with Invisalign. After honest consideration, if you don’t think you’ll be able to be consistent in wearing your aligners, Invisalign may not be for you.
Removing Aligners When Eating & Drinking
When cared for properly, Invisalign aligners are almost completely invisible to other people while you're wearing them. Not following treatment instructions may cause the aligners to become warped or stained.
Darkly pigmented drinks like coffee and pop may cause the aligners to become discoloured, and hot liquids could lead to warping. To avoid these issues. you will need to remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than cool water.
If the temptation to sip coffee or pop with your aligners is likely to be too much for you to resist, you may want to consider a different orthodontic treatment option.
Cleaning Your Teeth After Every Meal, Drink or Snack
Keeping your teeth healthy throughout your Invisalign treatment is an essential step to achieving a smile you will be proud to show off. Whether you are at home, or at a restaurant, if you remove your aligners to eat or drink you will need to brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back in place.
Trapping food particles between your teeth and your aligners can lead to a buildup of plaque causing bacteria, which could lead to tooth decay or even bad breath! If you choose Invisalign to straighten your teeth, you will need to have a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss handy wherever you are, to keep your teeth clean and your smile healthy.
Keeping Snacking to a Minimum
Now that you understand the importance of removing your aligners whenever you eat, and cleaning your teeth before putting your aligners back in place, it's easy to understand that snacking frequently throughout the day may not be practical.
That said, being strategic about how and when you eat can help you to make Invisalign treatment more convenient. Resisting the urge to snack, and including a smaller number of larger meals each day is typically the best approach.
If snacking frequently throughout the day is a way of life for you, changing your eating habits may be necessary in order to make Invisalign a practical orthodontic treatment option for you.
Are you a good candidate for Invisalign?
Are you looking for a way to straighten teeth without the need for brackets and wires, and ready to commit to the points above? If so, Invisalign could be the ideal orthodontic treatment for you!
Invisalign's clear aligners can be used to treat many types of orthodontic issues from simple tooth misalignment issues to more complex bite problems, and has a range of treatment options from standard Invisalign for adults to the more specialized aligners created to address the unique orthodontic treatment needs of children and teens.