Invisalign® is one of the most popular ways to realign and strengthen your teeth, without the use of any metal brackets or wires that are a common part of the realigning process. This treatment involves the use of clear aligners that are removable and specially designed for your mouth to align your teeth. At the end of the treatment, you can have that perfect set of teeth you’ve dreamed of having. Here are 7 questions to ask when considering if Invisalign is right for you.
1. How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Invisalign treatment cannot be limited to an exact time frame as every patient is different. Different people require different amounts of time because everyone’s mouths are different. This makes defining an exact time period for treatment difficult. However, the best thing you can do to make the process shorter is to wear and care for your aligners exactly as your dentist or orthodontist recommends.
2. Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Almost all dental insurance packages and contracts will cover Invisalign treatment. If your insurance covers orthodontic treatment then yes, Invisalign should be covered as well. Your dentist can actually help you in finding more benefits as well.
3. How Do I Clean My Invisalign Aligners?
Your aligners should be cleaned and cared for on a regular basis. They need to be rinsed every time you take them out of your mouth. To clean your aligners, you can either purchase a special solution or tablets or you can use a denture cleaner. Leave your aligners in the solution while you are brushing your teeth.
In addition, you should also get a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently and thoroughly clean your aligner. Do not use any toothpaste on them as it can damage their quality.
Brushing after eating is very important as it prevents food from getting trapped in the aligners when you place them back. Trapped food can cause bad breath and even yellowing of your teeth. If you cannot brush after each time you eat, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash instead.
4. Does Invisalign Treatment Hurt?
Invisalign is orthodontic treatment so it’s simply not realistic to think you will not experience any discomfort. Your teeth are being moved, so it is completely normal to experience a bit of soreness. Additionally, every time you are switched to new aligners, and depending on the amount of movement that occurs with each new aligner, you could feel some discomfort for about 24-48 hours. Ibuprofen can help with this.
However, there should not be any sharp pain or pain similar to a bad toothache. If you do experience sharp pain or extreme discomfort, visit your dentist immediately.
5. Will Invisalign Affect My Speech?
Just as with any other mouth appliance, the aligners may affect your speech. Usually, they cause some slight lisping as your tongue adjusts to them. Most people get used to them after a week or two. To help with this, the moment you get your first aligners, it is a good idea to start speaking with them. The more you talk, the sooner you’ll adjust.
Sometimes, there are special rubber bands attached for very complex cases. These aligners work amazingly well to align your teeth and jaw. Like with the regular aligners, your speech will return to normal in just a few days.
6. Do I Need to Remove Invisalign Every Time I Drink or Eat?
Yes, you do need to remove the aligners when you eat or drink anything. Chewing can damage them, therefore, causing them to not be as effective in aligning your teeth correctly. Drinking juice and other acidic drinks can affect their transparency, and warm or hot beverages can warp or distort them. Because of these reasons, removing aligners is highly recommended before eating or drinking.
7. Is it Necessary to Use a Retainer After Invisalign Treatment is Finished?
Wearing a retainer is an extremely important part of finishing your treatment. It helps ensure that your teeth won’t try to move back to their old position. If you are not regular in wearing your retainer, you may notice that your teeth will start to move back to their old place. Therefore you should definitely wear your retainer as advised in order to preserve your new smile.
In Conclusion
Invisalign is one of the most popular orthodontic procedures around and it’s easy to see why. They perform the same function as annoying metal braces do and give you a smile you’ll love.
With a little bit of patience and the proper care, Invisalign aligners can help you have a beautiful smile that you’ll love to show off!