A comprehensive dental approach includes healthy teeth and gums and a balanced and symmetric bite - where teeth come together properly. Dentists call this occlusion; if the bite is out of alignment, it’s called malocclusion. Straightening teeth can help with many ongoing challenges when it comes to oral health and a great side benefit can be, of course, a gorgeous smile! Compared to metal braces, you now have the option to choose a virtually undetectable way to achieve straight teeth.
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear plastic aligners. If you are considering Invisalign, you may have questions such as:
Do they hurt?
Is there an adjustment period?
How long is the treatment time?
We have you covered by discussing how Invisalign works, the adjustment period, and how to ensure comfort and effectiveness.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign can discreetly correct over and under bites, crowding, gaps between teeth, and misaligned teeth. Compared to traditional braces, they may not be ideal for everyone. If you have severe crowding, spacing issues, and over and underbite, speak to your dentist to determine if Invisalign is the right fit.
Custommade clear aligners fit tightly over your teeth and have several versions that you may switch out every few weeks. These gradually move the teeth into the desired position.
Advantages and benefits of Invisalign include:
- Transparent to almost invisible and ideal for children, teens, and adults who are self-conscious about wearing braces.
- They are completely removable for effortless eating and cleaning, unlike metal braces.
- Fewer or no potential problems with damage or breakage like traditional brackets and wires.
What to Expect
During your first consultation at your dentist's office, they will take images or scans of your mouth and jaw to create a treatment plan for moving the teeth into the proper place. The length of treatment depends on the number of aligners in a set and at what frequency you need to change them.
Treatment can typically range from 10 to 24 months. If you've had braces as a child and your teeth have shifted slightly, treatment time can be much shorter.
Adjusting to Invisalign
Even though Invisalign is more convenient and aesthetically pleasing than traditional braces, you can experience discomfort or soreness. Trying Invisalign for the first time is a new sensation and may require some adjustment.
Since they are tight fitting, it's normal to experience pressure in the mouth. You may have difficulty, in the beginning, taking it out or putting it in. If it irritates the gums, your dentist can look at them to see if trimming is necessary for more comfort.
The amount of time it takes to adjust varies in individuals, but it can take a week or two to become accustomed to the new feeling. You also need to continue switching into your new trays every week or two (as directed by your Doctor) until the treatment plan is complete. As you get used to switching, you may typically feel minor discomfort for only a day or two in your new aligners.
Removing the aligner, other than for eating, drinking, or cleaning, can affect the duration of treatment and delay the adjustment period. For some patients, Invisalign can affect speech, but this should be temporary as your tongue and lips get used to something in the mouth.
There is a possibility of your teeth reverting to their original positions. However, wearing a retainer after, as directed by your dentist, will help to maintain teeth alignment.
Ways to Ensure Comfort
Despite some discomfort, the recommended time to wear aligners is 20 to 22 hours per day for the best results. Essential, the only time you aren’t wearing the trays is when you are eating, brushing or cleaning the trays. Here are some things you can do to manage while you adjust to Invisalign:
- Use over-the-counter pain medication as needed.
- Make sure the trays are fully “seated” deeply onto the teeth. Use a chewy device to bite down on (with the trays on) to help you seat or push your trays down completely after putting them back on.
- Wear them for the recommended hours to ensure effectiveness and reduce the adjustment period.
- Switch to a new set of aligners at bedtime to avoid some discomfort during the day.
- Use a cold compress on the jaw or suck on ice without aligners in the mouth to relieve tenderness.
- Have your Dentist trim any rough edges to prevent gum and tongue irritation.
Smile More with Invisalign
Invisalign can feel like breaking in a new pair of shoes, where some patients may experience no discomfort and others mild. Most discomfort is usually the first time wearing Invisalign and when changing to a new set.
If you still have concerns even after giving them some time to resolve, contact us today. Green Grove Dental is here to help answer any questions and ensure you benefit from Invisalign treatment without any issues.