They say hindsight is 20/20 and like so many other experiences in life, Invisalign treatments are no different. As patients look back on their Invisalign experiences, these are the top tips from real people just like you and what they wish they would have known before beginning treatment.
Your Teeth Are Going To Need Some Extra Attention
Before you re-insert your aligners, it’s vital to brush and floss after each time you eat and drink anything other than water. Always remove your aligners before consuming anything that will stain or damage your aligners. It may be tempting to skip brushing before inserting your aligners, but this will lead to stained aligners and a breeding ground for plaque and bacteria to grow underneath them which can lead to cavities and tooth decay.
Taking Care Of Your Aligners Is Easy
We recommend patients brush their aligners with toothpaste or sometimes just water to get them clean. A mild denture cleaner or retainer-cleaning tablets can help to lift accidental stains if the aligners are cleaned soon enough.
Am I Too Old For Invisalign?
There are many patients in their 50’s and 60’s who are using Invisalign to finally give them the smile they’ve always wished they had in life. You’re never too old to achieve the perfect smile of your dreams, and teeth can be moved at any age.
How Long It Takes To Start Seeing Results?
The average Invisalign patient has a treatment plan of one year on average, but most patients begin to see visible results in as little as two to three months into treatment.
Getting Results Quicker
Treatment time can be accelerated by having your dentist treat you with AcceleDent or Propel, which is an FDA-cleared device that you use at home for about 20 minutes each day. It uses micropulse technology to accelerate the movement of your teeth. Depending on your situation, AcceleDent can decrease treatment time significantly.
Are Aligners Difficult To Remove?
Your aligner trays will need to stay in for 22 hours of the day, really only being removed for meal times and when eating or drinking. If you have attachments to help the aligners grip your teeth, it might take something extra to remove the trays. An aligner remover tooth called an Outie On Amazon are helpful in removing the aligners.
Will I have Attachments or Buttons?
Temporarily bonded to their teeth as part of the treatment, some patients require attachments or buttons to help move their teeth to the correct positions. These tooth-colored buttons will be almost undetectable and will be removed when your Invisalign treatment is complete.
The Cost Of Invisalign Varies
Two main factors are taken into consideration for the price of Invisalign. One is the complexity of the treatment the patient requires, and the second factor is the location in which you live. Ask your Invisalign provider how the cost of Invisalign treatments compared to other areas of the country during your consultation. The average fee in the US for Invisalign is between $3,500-$6,500.
Invisalign Comes With A New Diet
One of the biggest changes that comes as a surprise to new patients with Invisalign is how much their dietary habits changed once they received their aligners. You are only able to drink water with your aligners in, so removing your aligners each and every time you snack on something at your desk or take a sip of your morning coffee can change the way you look at food and drinks overnight.
What Kind Of Pain To Expect From Invisalign
Each time you receive a new set of aligners, your teeth are going to be painful for a few days while your teeth continue to shift and move into their new positions. If you are experiencing pain from your aligners, you can take pain medication such as Aspirin or Tylenol to help with discomfort and orthodontic wax can be used to help cover sharp or rough edges on the aligners.
How To Choose An Invisalign Provider
Both dentists and orthodontists can provide patients with Invisalign. Orthodontists have an extra two to three years of training in correcting and straightening teeth, but depending on your situation, a dentist experienced with Invisalign can be a great choice as well. Hinsdale Dentistry is proud to offer our patients Invisalign treatments and offering them a chance to transform their smile.
Arrange a consultation today and be one step closer to a straighter, healthier smile.