Adjusting to Invisalign Aligners: 5 Tips

Invisalign clear aligners have taken the world by storm because they’re so much less visible than traditional metal braces, in addition to a host of other benefits. Having anything on your teeth takes some getting used to when you first start wearing braces but adjusting to Invisalign is a bit different than to metal braces.

 

If you’re interested in checking out Invisalign aligners, the best first step is to talk to an orthodontist who has lots of experience with them. Rest assured that the Rad Orthodontics team — Dr. Mehdy Rad, Dr. David Rad, and Dr. Carmine Petrarca — has not only been treating patients with Invisalign for over 20 years; they care for over 1,000 Invisalign patients each year.

 

Our state-of-the-art offices are outfitted with the most advanced imaging technology, like the revolutionary iTero? scanner and 3D printing capabilities, to fashion customized Invisalign trays for each patient. However, it’s the warmth of our caregivers that makes Rad Orthodontics truly special.

 

Why Do People Love Invisalign Aligners?

First, it’s crucial to understand how the Invisalign system differs from wearing traditional braces. They’re clear plastic aligner “trays” that are customized to your mouth, and like braces, shift your teeth into place.

 

Invisalign aligners correct many of the same smile flaws that metal braces do, including overbites and underbites, alignment problems, gaps between teeth, overcrowding, and more. The clear advantages of Invisalign include:

 

• Nearly invisible
• Comfortable
• Fewer visits to the orthodontist
• Easier dental hygiene
• No limitations on what you can eat

You don’t need to visit us as often with Invisalign because, rather than coming every six or so weeks to get your braces tightened, we send you home with multiple sets of Invisalign aligners that you change out periodically yourself.

 

Since you remove your trays when you eat and clean your teeth, you can eat and drink what you want and don’t have to stress about food debris getting stuck in your braces. Additionally, you can damage any part of your braces or lose brackets or elastics, but you have no worries about that with Invisalign.

 

What to Know About Getting Used to Invisalign

Here are what we think are the top five tips that can help your adjustment to Invisalign treatment go smoothly:

 

Don’t skimp on wearing them the amount of time your orthodontist instructs. Invisalign aligners are meant to be worn 22-24 hours per day, so it’s crucial to observe the routine of wearing them most of the time.

 

It’s easy, especially at first, to forget to put them back in, but Invisalign even has a phone app that reminds you to place them back in your mouth. It doesn’t get any easier! The more you keep up with your routine, the easier it will be to follow, and the faster you’ll obtain that beautiful smile.

 

You may feel a bit of discomfort — typically mild pressure —when you first get your aligners, as well as when you change them out, but it’s much less uncomfortable than the pain and pressure caused by metal braces. Patients feel considerable discomfort when metal braces are first placed and when they’re periodically tightened.

 

Get into the habit of using your Invisalign case for storing your aligners every time you take them out, whether you’re eating or cleaning your teeth. That way, they won’t be lost or accidentally thrown away, which can happen if you set them on your plate or the kitchen counter.

 

Some patients experience difficulty saying certain words or notice that they’re lisping with the addition of Invisalign appliances in their mouths. Your mouth is indeed experiencing a big transition, which can affect your speech, but it’s just temporary.

 

Try to be more deliberate as you speak — even reading aloud when you wouldn’t otherwise be speaking will help you get used to talking comfortably with your new aligners.

 

Keep your eyes on the prize. Despite the comparative convenience and ease of Invisalign aligners over traditional braces, there may be times during your treatment when you don’t want to think of the responsibility you’re tasked with in wearing and caring for your aligners. Know that it’s worth it!

 

Your perfected smile will be unveiled before you know it, and you’ll be so glad you used your aligners correctly and treated them properly.

 

Learn More About Invisalign

Schedule a consultation with us to see if Invisalign is right for you (it probably is)! You can call the Rad Orthodontics office most convenient to you or use our online booking tool. Be sure to check out our COVID-19 update website page, where we outline what we’re doing to ensure your safety.