What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is like braces, but a bit different, as it does not involve any metal or wires. In fact, Invisalign are clear plastic aligners that help to shift your teeth in their desired location and are administered by an Invisalign trained orthodontist. Depending on your individual needs and case desires, you may be Invisalign for as short as 20 weeks to anywhere upwards of 1-2 years. The orthodontist will determine the specific length of treatment dependent upon the clinical needs that are apparent once input into the Invisalign software.
What should I expect?
If you are planning to receive Invisalign soon, there are a few things that you should be aware of prior to receiving treatment especially in the first few weeks.
1. Expect for your mouth to feel different: In the first few days even you may be asked to wear one set of aligners or 1-2 weeks throughout the day and evening until changing into the next set. During this time, the teeth can feel sensitive or “tight” because of the pressure exerted on the teeth causing them to move in their desired position. If you feel as though the teeth are hurting or uncomfortable, it is not uncommon to take an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol or Advil to ease the discomfort. Additionally, certain foods may irritate your teeth even more during this adjustment period. Perhaps, try sticking to soft foods that you may not need to chew as heavily to make it easier on yourself and your teeth.
2. Be sure to keep track of your aligners: It can be a new adjustment taking out the aligners every time that you eat or drink something other than water. Make sure during this time that you store your Invisalign in a safe place (carrying case) and NOT a napkin! By ensuring that your aligners are in a case and not a napkin, this will help you not lose them or accidentally throw them away, which has been known to happen. Do not let this be you!
3. Some trays do not always initially seat properly: Sometimes during treatment when you are switching from one tray to another, the tray may not seat all the way properly. This can be due to the teeth not shifting properly or the tray may be misshaped. If you notice this occurring give the orthodontist a call immediately to have them check your trays. This may involve a quick visit to assess your teeth, aligners and their correct positioning. If any adjustments need to be made, the orthodontist will communicate with you on this.
4. You are embarking on a wonderful journey: The Invisalign journey is something you will be grateful for and will look back and be so thrilled that you started! Patients rave about their smiles after Invisalign treatment and while it may have been challenging at times you won’t regret achieving the smile you have always wanted. So when it does seem tough, remind yourself that this IS worth it!
Contact Sims Orthodontics
At Sims Orthodontics, we put our patient’s comfort first. If you are worried about your upcoming Invisalign treatment or tend to be experiencing anything out of the ordinary during your first few weeks of Invisalign, we ask that you please contact us! We will be more than happy to speak with you and calm any nerves that you may have especially if you have any concerns!
