Tips to Optimize Your Invisalign® Treatment
Like any treatment, your commitment to the Invisalign process plays a major role in the success of your results.
Invisalign is a great option for correcting your smile as it is essentially invisible in appearance, comfortable and convenient. Clear aligners are not a “one size fits all” and have been custom made for your smile. Dr. Cline has inspected your teeth and taken adequate measures to make sure your aligners work for you.
Along with Dr. Cline’s expertise and guidance, it’s important to remember that your commitment to caring for your aligners will help you get the most from your Invisalign investment. If you follow these simple but important tips, you'll be on your way to a healthy, beautiful smile!
7 Tips for Great Results with Invisalign
1. Wear Your Aligners For 22 Hours Every Day
Wearing your Invisalign aligners for the correct amount of time each day is crucial to achieving optimal results. Your aligners should be worn 22 hours out of every 24-hour period. Remove them only for eating, drinking and brushing your teeth.
2. Change Your Trays As Instructed
After your first Invisalign delivery appointment, you are given all sets of trays that you will need to change as instructed by Dr. Cline. Much like traditional braces, it takes the final opinion of a professional orthodontist to let you know how long each set of trays should be worn. You’ll need to stick to your Invisalign tray schedule in order for treatment to be effective. You are responsible for all of your aligner sets, so make sure you store them in a safe place!
Tip: When it is time to switch to your next set of trays, insert the new set right before bedtime so that it can work all night, which reduces discomfort.
3. Keep Your Teeth Clean
Make sure you are brushing your teeth after eating and/or drinking anything other than water. The convenience of being able to remove your trays means that you will need to maintain excellent oral hygiene if you want to keep your teeth in good condition. Clear aligners fit tightly around your teeth and anything on them, like food particles or even plaque will stay in place just like your aligners. Brushing your teeth every time you remove your trays will keep teeth free from harmful bacteria that could lead to serious issues like tooth decay or gum disease.
4. Keep Your Aligners Clean
In addition to keeping your teeth clean, it is recommended to clean your Invisalign aligners daily. Dental plaque, which is full of bacteria, can accumulate on your aligners causing them to have a bad odor and to look dirty. To keep your aligners clean, simply scrub them with a toothbrush with toothpaste 1-2 times per day. This is an excellent and inexpensive option to keep your aligners clear, fresh, and free from harmful bacteria!
5. Embrace your Invisalign Attachments!
One of the (many) reasons to have your Invisalign treatment administered by a trained orthodontist is the ability to use Invisalign attachments.
Invisalign treatment plans composed by an orthodontist are more than just the aligners. In order to maximize the effectiveness of the aligners, attachments (small, tooth-colored “buttons”) are strategically placed on specific teeth to move them into the desired position. They also serve as an anchor to hold the clear aligners in place. Attachments make all the difference as they optimize results and can shorten treatment time while still maintaining a discrete “invisible” appearance!
6. Take Proper Care of Your Aligners
Give your aligners and your smile the TLC they deserve! Keep your Invisalign aligner case with you at all times. When you remove your aligners to eat or drink, put them in your aligner case so you do not lose them. The habit of putting aligners on a paper towel or in a napkin can lead to misplacing or accidentally throwing them away. We suggest keeping an extra aligner case in your desk, backpack, purse, etc as a back up. It is also important to remember that your aligners can deform in hot temperatures. DO NOT place them in hot water, the dishwasher, or leave them in a hot car.
7. Wear Your Retainer After Treatment
You’ll need to maintain your new smile after you complete your Invisalign treatment. Part of your Invisalign treatment includes a set of retainers. Retainer wear is crucial to maintaining your straight teeth after treatment. Most people are not aware that teeth can slowly shift back to their original position, even after being straightened with Invisalign. Make sure you wear your retainer as instructed by Dr. Cline for the best results and longest-lasting smile!
At All Star Orthodontics, my staff and I spend as much time as needed with each patient (and parents) to answer all of their questions and concerns about orthodontic treatment. We aim to make every patient feel comfortable and excited to get started with treatment!
Patients of All Star Orthodontics also get a “Direct Line to Dr. Cline”. That’s right – I give all of my patients my personal line so they can call day or night with questions or concerns. It is just one more thing we do to make patients feel as comfortable and excited as possible about their journey to a healthy smile.
With a friendly, experienced team on-hand to make treatment as easy as possible for you, we’re the number one choice for traditional braces and Invisalign in the Richmond area.
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If you’ve been looking for information on Invisalign treatment you can trust, give us a call today and schedule a consultation! We are conveniently located in Richmond, and have your confidence and comfort at the heart of our practice. Get in touch and let our extra special All Star Orthodontics team get to work on your smile!