Invisalign is all the craze these days and it’s no wonder why. The old days of wearing hunky metal wires around our teeth to correct misaligned teeth can be left in the past. Invisalign is a discreet alternative that involves wearing removable plastic aligners that gently shift your teeth over time. They are much more comfortable, aesthetic, and hygienic than traditional braces. Read on in this blog from Bauer Dental Company to find out more about the Invisalign process.
The Invisalign process can be summed up in 6 stages.
Consultation - Dr. Bauer will assess the severity of your orthodontic problems to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign.
Treatment Plan - We will take impressions of your teeth and digitally plan out your entire orthodontic treatment from start to finish. With our advanced software, we can show you how we will achieve tooth movements that will produce a final straight result.
Aligner Fabrication - These impressions are sent to the Invisalign lab where they will fabricate your aligners. This will take a few weeks before they’re ready. We’ll call you back to pick them up once we receive them.
Complying With Treatment - Once you receive your aligners, you will need to comply with wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day each day. You will receive new aligners every 2 weeks. If you don’t wear your aligners enough, you may find the next set of aligners won’t fit and will need to revert to the previous set.
Checkups - You will have a checkup every 6 weeks so Dr. Bauer can check on the progress of your treatment and if there are any issues with your aligners. You can ask any questions or address any concerns you have during these appointments.
Retention - Finally, at the end of your treatment you will need to wear a retainer to maintain your smile.
Eating & Drinking - You will need to remember to remove your aligners when you drink or eat (except for water). This is because food particles and flavored drinks can stain your aligners and cause a buildup of bacteria inside of your aligners that lead to oral health problems like cavities.
Do not consume any hot beverages as heat can morph the mold of the aligners, rendering them ineffective at shifting your teeth. However, as long as you take the aligners out, you can enjoy a restriction-free diet, unlike metal braces which require cutting out many of your favorite foods.
Taking Care of the Aligners - You should clean your aligners in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Rinse them under lukewarm water every time you remove them. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and either a denture cleaning solution or Invisalign crystals to scrub the aligners. You should also soak them for 15 minutes a day in this solution.
Brush and floss your teeth after eating, before putting your aligners back in. Store your aligners in their storage case when you aren’t wearing them and rinse them out again before putting them back in.
You must wear your aligners for 22 hours per day for Invisalign to work properly. The aligners need to be worn for this minimum amount of time each day to shift the teeth into the proper alignment on schedule. You will need to ensure that you don’t remove your aligners any longer than you have to, such as when eating, drinking, or when you brush and floss your teeth.
This is different for every person and depends on the complexity of your orthodontic case. Most people complete their treatment within 12-18 months. However, minor crooked teeth or small gaps can be corrected in as little as 6 months.
More severe malocclusions like a misaligned bite could take longer than 18 months to correct. We can give you an approximate treatment estimate during your consultation.
Get started on the Invisalign process today by coming in for a consultation with Dr. Bauer. Most adults with minor to moderate orthodontic issues are great candidates for Invisalign as long as they can wear their aligners for 22 hours a day. Contact us at Bauer Dental Company today to schedule an appointment.
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