Top 10 tips to ensure Invisalign success
In addition to aesthetics, the reason why many adults prefer Invisalign invisible orthodontics to traditional braces is because of the advantages it offers. As well as being practically imperceptible, it guarantees the same results as conventional orthodontics, with predictable results and is more comfortable to wear, as the soft tissues are less affected by friction. However, to guarantee the success of the treatment it is essential to take a series of precautions into account.
What you need to know to make Invisalign treatment a success.
- Be patient, there is an adaptation period.
- Wear invisible braces 22 hours a day.
- Practice proper oral hygiene.
- Clean and store your aligners properly.
- Remove your aligners carefully.
- Follow the aligner replacement schedule.
- Save previously used aligners.
- Be careful with certain foods, drinks and habits.
- Don’t smoke while wearing aligners.
- Discuss your concerns with your specialist.
1. Be patient, there is a period of adaptation.
As with all orthodontics, the patient must adapt to its use. It is likely that the first few days it will be somewhat uncomfortable to wear the clear aligners for so many hours and that, in addition, there will be certain difficulties when it comes to vocalising correctly. This is a common process in any type of orthodontic treatment.
For this reason, it is advisable not to start treatment when the user is just before an event in which it is necessary to speak for a long time, as it is also possible to experience a certain lisp due to a lack of habit when speaking with the aligners in place. In these cases it is better to practice with them than to remove them.
Likewise, the rate of adaptation of each person can vary, but problems with vocalisation and the sensation of pressure do not usually last more than five days or so. After this time, the person is usually completely accustomed to wearing the aligners. However, it is worth mentioning that after each change of splints, the pressure (always bearable) on the teeth may persist and this is an indication that the treatment is working.
2. Wear invisible braces 22 hours a day.
To ensure that the Invisalign aligners are doing their job, i.e. aligning and placing your teeth in the right position, it is essential to follow the orthodontist’s recommendations regarding their use. Generally, the specialist will indicate that they should be worn for a minimum of 20-22 hours a day to ensure that the objectives for each set of aligners and the final results of the treatment are achieved.
In other words, the more hours worn, the greater the guarantee that the necessary micro movements of the teeth have been achieved in order to be able to change the set of aligners at the scheduled time of treatment. Insufficient use of these transparent splints can force the treatment, which generally lasts an average of 12 to 18 months, to be extended.
It is therefore important that you monitor the time of use. Apps such as My Invisalign Smile or TrayMinder can help you keep a strict control, as two hours can really fly by. So, remember that you should only remove them for just enough time to eat, drink liquids other than water (cold or weather, but not hot) and also to perform oral hygiene, which brings us to the next section:
3. Perform proper oral hygiene.
Invisalign is the most hygienic orthodontic treatment on the market, as you can remove the aligners or clear splints to perform your daily oral hygiene. There is no impediment or obstacle (as in the case of braces) to brushing your teeth normally, flossing, flossing or interdental brushing and using mouthwash (always with the aligners removed).
In this regard, it is important to remove the rest of the food that remains in the mouth and teeth after each meal, as otherwise the trapped residue can lead to tooth decay, as the plaque creates a more humid environment in the area that can favour the accumulation of bacteria that can lead to this oral health problem.
On the other hand, food debris can also lead to staining of the splints, so they would no longer be transparent and would affect the aesthetics that could be sought when opting for their use instead of another orthodontic system.
Therefore, daily oral hygiene, in addition to professional dental cleaning that can be carried out according to the specialist’s recommendations, are essential to guarantee both the health of teeth and gums and the proper functioning of the splints during this treatment.
4. Clean and store your aligners properly.
Just as you should clean your aligners properly before putting them back in, you should also clean them. It is essential that you do not use toothpaste or mouthwash for this purpose as you could damage the material used to make the splints and even make them more opaque. Instead, you can rinse them with plenty of warm water and antibacterial soap and use a very soft bristle brush in a circular motion.
On the other hand, it is also advisable to carry out a more thorough cleaning by using solvent tablets (special for different dental treatments), which will also prevent the splints from acquiring bad odours. In this case, you should place the tablet in a glass of water and the splint once or twice a week for approximately 10 minutes.
It is also a good idea to keep them in their box for the time you are not wearing them, as this way they will not be exposed to contamination and bacterial build-up. If, for example, the aligners were to fall into unsanitary conditions, it would be essential to sterilise them before putting them back in your mouth. And it is worth mentioning that the use of hot water to sanitise them should be ruled out, as it can deteriorate the splints.
5. Remove the aligners carefully.
Each set of new clear aligners can be more difficult to put in and take out. It is recommended that you follow your orthodontist’s instructions when handling them. But don’t worry, even if you use attachments (anchors that are often necessary in more complicated cases of malocclusion to guide tooth movement) the aligners can be removed.
Generally, it will be easier to remove them from behind because air can enter through the tongue or palate, making them easier to remove. In fact, this is one of the reasons why you don’t have to worry about aligners coming out during sleep, as they fit snugly over your teeth. But remember that, if you have difficulties, you should talk to the specialist who will help you to improve the extraction technique.
6. Respect the calendar for the replacement of aligners.
Another of the fundamental factors to guarantee the success of the treatment is to respect the schedule for changing the clear aligners. Remember that the micro movements to be achieved by replacing each set of aligners are programmed, and it is important to respect them in order to achieve optimal results.
The sets can be changed every week or every two weeks, depending on the treatment, and during visits (also scheduled) the specialist will supervise the evolution of the treatment. Although the splints are designed with the most cutting-edge technology in the sector, there are external factors (such as time of use) that can determine changes in the treatment, hence the importance of following the calendar and also attending the scheduled appointments.
7. Keep previously used aligners.
Accidents happen. Although it is rare for them to break, aligners can be damaged or even lost. In these cases, the orthodontist should be notified so that a replacement set can be made. And for this same reason, it is advisable to keep the previously used splints because, while the set to be used is being re-fabricated, it is possible to avoid interruption of treatment by using the previous aligners.
8. Be careful with certain foods, drinks and habits.
The splints are very strong, but they can still be disturbed. For example, drinking very hot beverages all the time can affect their shape and cause them to lose their properties. Also, drinks such as coffee or wine can stain the aligners (in the same way as they do with teeth) and affect their transparent quality. Also, consuming sweets or chewing gum can alter the splints in both directions, so, to guarantee the success of the treatment, their consumption is not recommended.
On the other hand, some people who wear dark lipstick may experience with some formulas that it transfers to the aligners. Lipstick can leave unflattering stains on the splints and, in the worst case, stain them. For this reason, it is advisable to change lipstick shades and resort to matte or non-transferable formulas that ensure aesthetics and comfort while wearing aligners.
9. Do not smoke while wearing aligners.
Smoking seriously affects the health of teeth and gums and, in addition, tobacco can be a precursor to certain oral diseases. In the case of orthodontic treatment and, more specifically, Invisalign treatment, smoking while wearing aligners will cause them to become stained and no longer clear. This will affect one of the main reasons for use, which is that during treatment the orthodontics will go unnoticed.
10. Address your concerns with the specialist.
As we mentioned at the beginning, it is normal to feel a sensation of pressure after each replacement. But it can also be common to feel the teeth looser when the splints are removed. In the latter case, you should not get upset because, as they fulfil their function and the teeth are replaced, the gums also have to reshape and adapt.
In any case, in order to resolve any doubts, raise any concerns and comment on any incident or problem, we recommend that you consult with the specialist in the case and follow their advice. Thanks to their recommendations and the advice we have discussed, you can guarantee the success of orthodontic treatment while ensuring the best state of your oral health.
