If you’re considering Invisalign aligners, you probably already know that it’s faster, more comfortable, and a lot more discreet than wearing traditional braces. But as with any treatment, there’s always a bit of a learning curve. Here are five things that real Invisalign wearers wish they knew before beginning, and what you can do to adjust to them!
The Long and Short of It
One of the first things patients with longer fingernails discover when starting Invisalign treatment is that it’s a lot easier to keep things short and sweet. That’s because long nails can make taking your aligners on and off a challenge. If you like to keep yours lengthy, invest in a tray removal tool, or experiment with different ways to remove them with your fingers.
Clearly an Issue
One of the major benefits of Invisalign is that your aligners are clear, so they’re very discreet. Unfortunately, however, you can still stain or discolor them if you aren’t careful. In fact, even those buttons applied to your teeth to hold your trays in place can become stained, so it’s very important to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Furthermore, you should also be brushing your aligners or even soaking them with aligner cleanser. If you do this, be sure to only use clear products, as even colored soaks and mouthwashes can stain them!
Keep it Clean
While keeping your teeth clean is a lot easier with Invisalign than it is with traditional braces, you will need to spend more time each day doing it. That’s because you are required to brush your teeth each time you eat or drink anything besides water as well as floss each time you eat. That means if you eat five times a day, you’ll need to brush and floss five times a day. To cut down on this, some patients find it easier to consolidate meals and skip snacks and non-water beverages.
Speak Freely
When you first begin wearing aligners, it’s not uncommon to have a slight lisp. Typically, this goes away after about a month when you’ve adjusted to wearing them. It should not have any lasting effects on your speech, but it’s important to keep wearing them so you get the hang of it and don’t set your treatment back.
A Little Off the Top
Finally, though this isn’t always required, your dentist may need to remove some of your enamel in a procedure called interproximal reduction (IPR). This treatment takes about a tenth of a millimeter of enamel away to help your teeth fit together better once they’ve shifted positions.
Remember, Invisalign is a faster, easier way to straighten your teeth, but there still may be a few unexpected challenges along the way. The important thing is to keep following your treatment plan, and you’ll easily overcome any obstacles with time!
About Dr. Palmer
Dr. Sienna Palmer loves making her patients smile! That’s why she offers a variety of treatments from general exams and cleanings to Invisalign aligners. If you’re unhappy with your smile and would like to straighten your teeth faster and easier than with traditional braces, you could be a good candidate for aligners. To learn more, schedule a consultation at Palm Dentistry today by visiting our website or calling us at 949-365-0951.