Summary
Did you know?
Nearly 1.4 million adults visit a dentist every year to straighten their smiles. Such is the demand for adult orthodontic treatments today!
Gone are the days when orthodontic treatments were uncommon, thanks to the unique concept of discreet treatment by Invisalign aligners. These clear, transparent braces allow you to fix your smile without making it apparent, making it the perfect treatment option for individuals who like to keep their treatment discreet.
So, if you’re considering visiting your Invisalign dentists for a smile treatment, this blog is for you. In the following sections, we take a closer look at what to expect during Invisalign treatment via topics like:
- What Is Invisalign – Insight into the Appliance
- Steps Involved in the Invisalign Process
- Mild Tenderness – The Phase After Undergoing Invisalign Procedure
- Tips to Insert & Remove Aligners
Continue reading as we learn more about Invisalign in the following sections.
What Is Invisalign – Insight into the Appliance
Invisalign aligners are a unique teeth-straightening method that takes the traditional concept of visible metal braces to the next level. This treatment focuses on replacing visually unappealing metal braces with a clearer, discreet alternative.
The procedure involves wearing several clear, detachable trays throughout the treatment to restore your teeth to alignment. Your Invisalign dentists customize the trays to fit your mouth shape, making them pleasant to use all day.
Steps Involved in the Invisalign Process
Step 1 – Your Initial Appointment
At your initial session, your dentist will examine your mouth and discuss your dental goals. They will advise you on whether Invisalign is a treatment worth considering.
However, some individuals may be unsuitable for this tooth alignment procedure. If so, your dentist for Invisalign in Morgantown will discuss alternative options. On the contrary, if you’re a suitable candidate, they will discuss the treatment process and projected treatment time.
Step 2 – Molding Process
The following phase is the digital molding process. Depending on your schedule, this might happen at your initial appointment with your dentist or separately.
Digital scans, photos, and X-rays accurately represent your mouth and teeth. These are delivered to the Invisalign lab so that your personalized aligner trays can be manufactured.
Step 3 – Fitting the First Tray
Once your Invisalign trays are ready, you must return them to the dental clinic for pick up. Upon your visit, the dentist may insert little attachments on your teeth to keep the trays in place. These aligners are nearly invisible, easy to install, and temporary.
What’s more? The dentist will check to see if your aligners fit properly. Once they do, they will suggest the entire aftercare routine for faster and more effective treatment.
Step 4 – Your Follow-Up Appointments
You should see the dentist again a few weeks after installing your initial tray. They will evaluate your tooth mobility and tray fit. The entire treatment consists of a succession of Invisalign trays. Unlike metal braces, Invisalign does not require frequent visits.
Instead, you can return at regular intervals to monitor your progress. You will not need to visit the dentist whenever you replace your aligners. If your treatment is not developing as expected, you may require a fresh digital scan to order more aligners.
Step 5 – Straighter Teeth!
Your teeth will straighten up with time. The ultimate outcomes are always determined by the degree of the misalignment, but if worn as advised, you will have a straighter, more enhanced smile over time.
Mild Tenderness – The Phase After Undergoing Invisalign Procedure
You will not experience considerable Invisalign pain during the first week or at any other point during your treatment. Mild stiffness or soreness with Invisalign is expected when you first put on your aligners and occasionally transition to a new tray.
This is because your aligners apply continual, moderate pressure to your teeth, shifting them into position. If you experience any Invisalign pain, this just shows that your aligners are functioning!
But how long does Invisalign take to fit?
The discomfort from your initial Invisalign tray will subside in less than a week. Tenderness on future trays often lasts only a day or two.
Managing Mild Invisalign Pain the First Week of Treatment
1. Stick to Soft Food Items
For a few days, stick to items that require little chewing. Good soft meal teeth include smoothies, applesauce, milkshakes, ripe bananas, yogurt, porridge, soup, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs, among other food items. Besides, once the sensitivity lessens, you can resume your regular diet immediately.
2. Put in Invisalign Before Bed
Place the first tray for Invisalign at night. During your treatment, you should develop the practice of replacing your aligners before going to bed each night.
This will allow you to sleep through the first eight hours of tenderness. When you wake up, your aligners should be slightly less snug, and your pain should start subsiding.
3. Swish with Saltwater
Rinse with seawater and swish as required. One teaspoon of salt should dissolve in a glass of warm water. After 30 seconds of swishing the solution in your mouth, spit it out and continue the process until the glass is empty. If the edge of the aligners is pushing on your lip or cheek, this will assist.
4. Wear Aligners Regularly!
Keep using your aligners as usual. It may be tempting to quit using Invisalign if it aches. However, the soreness will subside faster the longer you wear them. Wear the aligners for 22 hours a day, or longer if you can, even if your teeth hurt.
You can use an over-the-counter pain medication (whatever you usually take for a headache) if the following strategies are ineffective in relieving your Invisalign pain.
If a rough edge on your Invisalign aligner is causing discomfort, sores, or irritation, connect with your nearest dentist. They will help you smooth it out or show you how to do it at home. You may also use an emery board nail file, which may often suffice to softly polish an irritating location on your aligner.
Tips to Insert & Remove Aligners
Removing and reinserting your aligners may appear to be straightforward. However, it can be difficult initially, particularly if you have attachments bonded to your teeth.
As a result, a few pointers in this area help you insert and remove your aligners like a pro. Let us learn more about it.
How to Put In Invisalign Aligners?
1. First, confirm that the aligner is placed on the appropriate arch—the lower aligner should be placed on the lower teeth, and the top aligner should be placed on the upper teeth.
2. After positioning the aligner over your front teeth, gently press down on it to the rear, where it will snap over your molars. Once your aligner is in place, fully seat it with your thumbs.
3. Avoid biting or forcing your aligners into position. If your Invisalign seems loose or unnaturally fitted, massage it into place with chewies or biting sticks.
How to Remove Your Invisalign Aligners?
To remove your aligners, place your finger over the edge behind your back tooth (on the tongue side) and draw it out and away. Repeat the technique on the opposite side of your mouth.
After your front teeth, hook your finger over the aligner’s edge. After the aligner is free, grasp both sides and carefully remove it. Jiggling the tray will help if you’re having problems removing it.
Never place anything between your teeth and aligners when trying to remove them to avoid damaging your enamel. However, if the problem continues, contact your nearest best dentist in morgantown wv.
Takeaway
- Invisalign aligners are a unique teeth-straightening method that takes the traditional concept of visible metal braces to the next level.
- At your initial session, your dentist will examine your mouth and discuss your dental goals.
- Let’s get the most out of your smile with our experts at Dominic J. Raymond II, DDS today!
