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Deciding to get Invisalign can be an exciting moment for patients. But, if you’re unsure of where to start your Invisalign journey, our dentist at Confluence Dental Wenatchee is with you every step of the way.
However, the decision to get Invisalign over traditional braces can be challenging, and you may want to know what to do before getting them and what to expect. Therefore, we will give complete information about what you should do before starting your Invisalign transformation.
Knowing the difference between braces and Invisalign is crucial in understanding how you’ll play a role in developing the orthodontic treatment. Using aligners is the most significant distinction with Invisalign over braces. Patients tend to turn to Invisalign when they want a treatment plan that offers an aesthetic appearance.
Invisalign has the advantage of using aligners made of BPA-free plastic. Although Invisalign is not technically invisible, they come close as your aligners are the perfect fit for the teeth. Patients gradually shift their teeth by changing aligners based on your orthodontist’s discretion. Here’s is what you’re expected to do before getting Invisalign:
It is sometimes tempting to wear your aligners less often when you can see progress in your Invisalign treatment. However, having the temptation of removing the aligners can be difficult for some patients. Therefore, before getting Invisalign, ensure you’ve assessed your ability to wear the retainers at least 20 to 22 hours daily.
You’re supposed to remove the aligners when eating or brush your teeth only. However, wearing your aligners consistently is the best way to ensure you’re reaching your timeline for treating your Invisalign aligners.
Usually, you experience some pain while undergoing your Invisalign treatment from cosmetic dentistry in Wenatchee. When you wear your Invisalign aligners for the first time, your teeth will be pulled and pushed to their new positions. This leaves your mouth feeling tender, which is also normal. However, it’s essential to keep wearing your aligners and move your teeth gradually. Over time, this pain reduces.
If your aligners are causing pain, such as poking into your gums, you can use dental wax to cover the sharp edges areas and prevent them from rubbing your gums or cheeks the wrong way. Also, try putting wax on the minute you start experiencing any abrasion, as it helps prevent pain from worsening. You can also have our orthodontist in Wenatchee file down any too sharp edges.
You may expect your speech to change when you first get Invisalign. However, since you have an aligner tray in your mouth at all times, it may affect the way you speak, creating a lisp sometimes. Some may find it noticeable, while others will not notice any change.
Over time, you’ll grow accustomed to your aligners and learn to speak with them. If you have a lisp and it doesn’t go away over time, ensure you inform your orthodontist because it can indicate that your aligners are not correctly fitted.
You may expect your treatment to consist of wearing the aligners only, but that isn’t always the case. How your teeth need to be moved and how they are will determine if you need to wear buttons or attachments. These attachments are glued to the tooth’s enamel and are made to be the same color to become unnoticeable as metal braces. In addition, these attachments and buttons often help accelerate your treatment with Invisalign.
This process is called the refinement process. Your aligner after Invisalign treatment in Wenatchee is imperative in keeping your beautiful results. A retainer helps keep the teeth in their new position and prevents them from moving back to their original state.
Wearing retainers differs for every patient, but most are expected to wear them for six months during the day and night and only at night after six months are over. In addition, Invisalign has its kind of retainers called Vivera retainers. Although they cost more than other types of retainers, they are an excellent way to complete your treatment and maintain your results fully.