Tips for Getting the Most Out of Invisalign

Millions of people have flocked to Invisalign® to enjoy straighter teeth, more beautiful smiles, improved oral health, and, of course, greater self-confidence. Featuring clear, almost invisible aligners instead of the traditional metal wires and brackets, Invisalign achieves the same results as braces without all the hassles.

In Cedar Park, Texas, Brendan Smith, DDS, MS, is recognized as a leading provider of Invisalign treatment, providing patients at Freedom Orthodontics with the individualized care they need to achieve the results they want. If Invisalign is in your future, these nine tips can help ensure you enjoy all the benefits this innovative treatment has to offer.

1. Wear your aligners as directed

Braces are on your teeth 24 hours a day, and aligners need to be worn most of the time too. In fact, we recommend wearing your aligners for no less than 22 hours each day, taking them out only for meals, snacks, and cleaning. Other than those activities, your aligners should be in your mouth so they can do their job.

2. Swap aligners on time

Likewise, it’s important to change your aligners on schedule. Each set of aligners is designed with subtle changes in their shape. These changes help your teeth move into their proper locations. Be sure to swap out each set of aligners as often as directed — typically every couple of weeks — to keep your treatment on track.

3. Keep your aligners clean

Invisalign aligners are easy to care for. All you need to do is brush them when you brush your teeth, using a soft brush and a nonabrasive, non-whitening toothpaste to avoid scratches. You should clean your aligners twice each day to keep them clean and fresh.

4. Remove your aligners for meals and snacks

It takes just a few moments to pop your aligners out before eating, but sometimes it can seem simpler to just leave them in, especially for a quick bite. If you do leave your aligners in, there’s a good chance you’ll break or bend them, which means they can’t straighten your teeth the way they’re supposed to. 

Plus, eating or even drinking some beverages while your aligners are in can cause stains that make those aligners a lot more visible (and unattractive). Before popping your aligners back in, rinse your mouth to prevent tiny food particles from getting trapped underneath.

5. Protect your aligners

When you take your aligners out — whether it’s for meals or brushing and flossing — put them in their case to keep them safe. Don’t wrap them in a napkin or put them in a pocket or purse where they can get bent or damaged. And don’t leave them in a hot car — that could warp the plastic.

6. Wear your retainer

Once your aligners have done their job, you’ll need to wear a retainer for a period of time to ensure your teeth are stabilized in their new positions. It’s natural to want to be completely done with treatment, but if you skip wearing your retainer, your teeth can shift, undoing all the work your aligners did over the previous months.

7. Keep your old aligner

When you swap out one aligner set for the next in the series, don’t toss out the old set. Keep it handy in case the set you’re wearing gets damaged (or lost). While you wait to have your new aligners replaced, you can wear the old ones to keep your teeth in their new positions.

8. Call with any problems or concerns

If your aligners get damaged in any way or if you lose an aligner, call our office right away. The faster you call, the sooner we can get a replacement aligner to you so your treatment stays on track.

9. Don’t skip office visits

One benefit of Invisalign is that treatment typically requires fewer office visits, but every one of those visits is really important. During each visit, we check your progress to make sure your treatment stays on track. Skipping an appointment could delay your treatment, which means you’ll need to wear your aligners (and your follow-up retainer) longer.

Are you ready to begin your Invisalign journey? To learn more about this state-of-the-art treatment and how it can help you enjoy a lifetime of beautiful smiles, call Freedom Orthodontics or book an appointment online today.