If you’re unhappy with your smile because of crooked and misaligned teeth, your situation isn’t hopeless at all! Invisalign has taken the world of modern dentistry by storm, and these awesome aligners are now one of the go-to treatment options for patients who desire straighter and healthier teeth. That said, many patients have questions about Invisalign they’d like answered before they commit to the treatment. Here are four of the most frequently asked questions about Invisalign along with some helpful answers.
#1. Does Invisalign Treatment Hurt?
This is one of the first questions that comes to mind for many patients concerning any type of dental work. But you should be relieved to hear that Invisalign treatment, while initially uncomfortable, is virtually pain-free once you fully adjust to wearing your aligners! During the first few days, you’ll probably feel some soreness and sensitivity, but this is a normal part of the process. Once you make it past the one-week mark, things become noticeably better.
#2. How Long Does the Process Take?
On average, Invisalign treatment takes roughly 12 months to complete, compared to the 18 or so months that traditional orthodontics often requires. That said, this timeline heavily depends on your willingness to wear your aligners for about 22 hours every single day—even missing a couple of days can cause a setback! You must also swap to your new sets of trays when it’s the right time, but your dentist will let you know when and how to do this.
#3. Are the Aligners Noticeable?
Compared to traditional braces, which are very noticeable thanks to the unnatural appearance of the metal brackets and wires, Invisalign is almost entirely undetectable while being worn. If people look closely, they might be able to see some small projections (buttons) on your teeth, but otherwise the trays are incredibly discreet. It’s worth noting that the trays can become unattractively stained if you’re not good about keeping them or your teeth clean.
#4. How Tough Are the Aligners?
Your Invisalign aligners aren’t durable by any means, so you must be careful when you’re wearing them and when you’re handling them. You should never eat anything while wearing your aligners, as the pressure caused from biting and chewing can damage them. You should also be cautious when removing your aligners and replacing them—if they aren’t in your mouth or being cleaned, they should be safely stored in their carrying case!
#5. Does Invisalign Affect My Oral Hygiene Routine?
Invisalign does not exempt you from practicing good oral hygiene; in fact, it becomes even more important than ever before! You should brush your teeth after every meal throughout the Invisalign process. This prevents food debris from becoming trapped underneath your trays for hours at a time, which can greatly expedite the rate at which tooth decay forms. You will also need to add in the extra step of cleaning your aligners; you can do this with a toothbrush and plain water, or an appropriate Invisalign cleaning solution.
Being as informed as possible about your Invisalign treatment will only make things go more smoothly. That said, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist if you have any questions about the Invisalign process.
About the Practice
ProSmiles Dental & Orthodontics of Hurst is honored to serve the dental needs of the Hurst community. The team is led by five skilled specialists: Dr. Omar Fetouh, Dr. Mark De Simone, Dr. Archana Lankupalli, Dr. Yamini Gollapudi, and Dr. Julyat Gajera. Their practice is pleased to offer a wide range of available services including Invisalign. If you’re interested in correcting your crooked teeth with Invisalign, don’t hesitate to contact the practice online or over the phone to schedule a consultation.