One of Invisalign’s selling points is its customized approach. Using special software, we create a customized Invisalign treatment plan for you. A lab uses our plan to create your Invisalign aligners. Most people find it easier to adjust to aligners made just for them than to metal braces. Still, you can use our tips to make sure your adjustment period goes smoothly.

Read our six tips for adjusting to Invisalign treatment. If you’re still considering your orthodontic options, call us at 956-275-7596 to schedule a consultation. We’ll examine you with high-tech equipment like digital X-rays and an intraoral camera to see if you’re a candidate for Invisalign. If you are, ask us about our special offer for $500 off Invisalign treatment!

Understand How Invisalign Treatment Works

We’ll use Invisalign’s 3D design software to create a plan to correct your orthodontic issues, including overbite, underbite, gaps, and crowded teeth. Using the software, we can even give you a digital preview of what your smile will look like following treatment. The lab then creates your aligners. You wear each set of aligners two weeks before moving to the next ones in the series. The aligners use gentle force to move your teeth into place.

While treatment times vary, the average for adults is just 12 months. Quicker treatment is just one of the advantages. Invisalign treatment is also:

  • Discreet – Since the clear aligners fit snugly over your teeth, they are practically invisible in your smile.
  • Comfortable – With no metal wires or brackets, your aligners won’t irritate your mouth the way that braces can.
  • Convenient – Aligners can be removed for meals, so you can enjoy any foods you like with no worries about getting food caught in your braces. It’s also easier to keep your teeth clean with the ability to take out aligners for brushing and flossing.

Tip #1: Keep Your Aligners In As Much As Possible

To complete your Invisalign treatment as quickly as possible, you should wear your aligners 22 hours a day. We suggest taking them out only for meals and for oral hygiene. It’s especially important to remove them as infrequently as possible when you begin wearing a new set.

You can use the TrayMinder app to help you make wearing your aligners a habit. It tracks how long you’ve worn them and reminds you when to move to your next ones. The app is free and available in the App Store and Google Play.

Tip #2: Watch Out For Staining

To maximize your wearing time, it’s tempting to keep your aligners in while enjoying a cup of coffee or other beverages. Don’t do it, though! Drinking water while wearing aligners is fine – and a great idea, as water is good for you. Other beverages can stain your aligners, which will make them look a lot more noticeable to others during Invisalign treatment. Be especially careful to avoid hot beverages since they can warp your aligners.

Tip #3: Skip Toothpaste When Cleaning Aligners

You use toothpaste on your teeth – but don’t use it on your aligners. It can scratch the plastic, giving them a dingy look. Stick to a mild, antibacterial soap, and brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing is especially important in the morning, as bacteria build ups on your aligners overnight. We also recommend soaking them in a solution of vinegar and water once a week or so.

Tip #4: Try Dental Wax For Added Comfort

With a lack of metal hardware, most folks find Invisalign treatment more comfortable than braces. However, the edges of aligners may irritate your gums as you adjust to wearing them. To ease irritation, we recommend using dental wax to cover the edges. If wax doesn’t help, bring your aligner to us. We may be able to smooth it out for you.

Here are some other ways to minimize discomfort:

  • Suck on ice when not wearing aligners
  • Switch to new aligners at bedtime; discomfort is less likely to bother you while sleeping

Tip #5: Always Keep A Case With You

One downside of removable aligners is it makes it easier to misplace them – especially in early stages of Invisalign treatment. Always carry a case with you so you can put your aligners into it every time you take them out. Trust us; it’s easier than you’d think to accidentally toss aligners into the trash if you decide to put them in a napkin while eating away from home. Keep cases at home, in your car, in your purse, and anywhere else you might need one.

Tip #6: Save Your Invisalign Aligners

Don’t discard your old aligners when you move to a new set. Keep the prior set as a backup. If you lose or break aligners, you can wear the backups while waiting for your replacements.

We hope our tips will make Invisalign treatment easier for you! If you have any questions, call Sabal Dental in Harlingen at 956-275-7596.