What You Need to Know
To begin the Invisalign treatment process, we will need to review the patient’s medical history, the current condition of their teeth, allergies, insurance and other health factors. We will then take a mold of the teeth and multiple images to help map out a treatment plan. With Invisalign, the patient will use a series of aligner trays, wearing one set for about two weeks at a time.
After two weeks, the patient will switch out the current ones for the next in the series. We understand that people may have questions about Invisalign and the treatment process. Here are the facts that people need to know with Invisalign treatment.
Customized to Your Teeth
With 3D imaging software, the Invisalign treatment will map out the positions of the teeth as they shift into the proper alignment. By doing this, the patient will not have to worry about the teeth moving too quickly and causing discomfort. The process then creates a series of aligner trays that the patient will take turns wearing throughout the treatment.
Stick to the Treatment Plan
One of the main issues that can prolong or hinder the Invisalign treatment is that patients remove the aligner trays too often or for too long. While Invisalign is removable, they need to stay on the teeth for at least 22 hours per day. Every two weeks, the patient will shift from one set of aligners to the next in the series.
The patient must follow the proper order. If they skip a set, they can cause themselves pain and risk causing more issues to their teeth.
Removable Aligner Trays
The removable aligner trays allow patients to continue their daily routine without too much issue. Patients can remove the aligners when:
Eating food Drinking anything besides water Brushing and flossing the teeth Playing sports Taking pictures Attending at a meeting or giving a presentation However, the patient needs to place the aligners back in the mouth as soon as possible. If the aligners remain out of the mouth for too long, the teeth will begin to shift back out of alignment and undo the progress up to that point. After eating, the patients need to clean their teeth and rinse the aligner tray with water before returning the aligners to the mouth. Bits of food will be noticeable in the teeth since the aligner tray is clear.
Checkup Appointments
As an orthodontist, we will recommend at least several checkup appointments during the Invisalign treatment process. These appointments will allow us to measure the progress and ensure everything is running smoothly. If we notice any issues, we will determine the most effective solution. If the patient damages their Invisalign aligner tray, they need to call us.
Skipping to the next one in the series may cause the individual patient pain since the teeth were not ready for that set. We can help determine the newt course of action and the most effective way to help continue the straightening treatment.