The Ultimate Guide to Invisalign: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Invisalign treatment is one of the most popular ways to straighten teeth and achieve a confident smile. At Optimal Dental Center, we’re pleased to offer Invisalign treatment for patients who are a good fit. Before you embark upon your Invisalign teeth straightening journey, here’s what to know.

Don’t throw out your trays.

There’s no one-size-fits-all in dental correction, and that’s true of Invisalign. You’ll receive a series of clear, custom retainers specially cut to fit your teeth as your bite evolves throughout your treatment. When you move from one set of teeth straightening trays to another, don’t throw out the old tray. Hold on to them until your treatment is complete just in case your technician needs to review a change in your bite.

Results don’t happen overnight.

Depending on your level of crowding, your whole orthodontic treatment will range from 6 to 18 months – with milder cases being on the shorter end. However, many people report seeing changes in the first few weeks of their treatment! Hang in there, because your final results will take time to reveal themselves. 

You are responsible for your success.

While Invisalign’s transparent aligners are a proven method for straightening teeth, they only work effectively if you wear your trays according to your dentist’s directions. That means at night, and at all times during the day when you’re not eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. When you’re further along in your treatment, your dentist might advise you that you only need to wear your aligners at night. 

You should clean your Invisalign trays. 

One of the perks of Invisalign – other than the fact that its clear aligners are virtually invisible – is that you don’t have to avoid certain foods and drinks. Invisalign’s removable aligners make it easy to eat, drink, and brush normally. However, you should also clean your Invisalign trays regularly. Soak them in lukewarm (not hot) water with unscented soap or a mild peroxide mix. Avoid using toothpaste, as this can leave a residue and make your aligners cloudy.

You might need to keep wearing retainers.

You probably know people who after braces wear retainers or have a wire applied to their teeth. This is also true of Invisalign Teeth Straightening. Once your treatment is complete, you’ll need to wear your retainer on a part-time basis to prevent your teeth from moving back to their original position. If it’s been a while since you’ve worn your retainers post-treatment, talk to your dentist to see what they recommend. 

Invisalign Teeth Straightening might not be right for you.

Before you mentally commit to Invisalign treatment, be aware that not everyone is a good candidate for this kind of orthodontic appliance. Your dentist or orthodontist will review your bite and will let you know whether Invisalign clear aligners, traditional braces, or another solution are the best option for your bite and goals. 

Looking for Invisalign in Fairfax? Talk to us!

If you’re considering dental correction using Invisalign Teeth Straightening invisible braces, talk to the team at Optimal Dental Center. We’ll examine your bite and your dream smile, and will let you know whether you’re a candidate for Invisalign!