5 Things You Should Know Before Choosing Invisalign
There’s no doubt about it—Invisalign has changed the game when it comes to straightening your teeth. Gone are the days where straighter teeth meant having to deal with years of gum irritation, prying food out of hardware, or adopting a closed-mouth smile. For adults considering orthodontic treatment, Invisalign is an especially appealing choice. It’s discreet, comfortable, and removable—no need to learn complicated brushing or flossing techniques to get around wires and metal, or to slow down your social life. However, like any treatment, it’s not always the right fit for everyone, and there are some considerations before deciding if Invisalign is right for you.
1. Invisalign Might Temporarily Affect Your Speech
Some people experience a temporary lisp when they first get their aligners. For some, it’s very noticeable and for others, it’s not even on their radar. The best way to get around this is to practice speaking often while first wearing your aligners. The more you talk, the faster it should correct. If the lisp isn’t gone in a few months, consult with your dentist—it may be a sign that they aren’t fitting incorrectly.
2. It’s Not Always Pain-Free
Many people use Invisalign with no pain at all. However, some people report having regular pain from sharp edges. You have a couple of options if this is the case. You can ask your dentist to file down rough or sharp edges or you can apply wax to these edges to keep them from irritating the delicate tissue in your mouth. When it comes to irritation, taking action earlyon matters! Don’t suffer and wait until you can’t take it anymore—apply wax right away and have your dentist file it down if needed.
3. It’s a Commitment
One of the biggest appeals of Invisalign is the ability to remove them for eating, drinking, and cleaning. However, this is also where a lot of people can mess up. Leaving your aligners out for more than two hours a day will definitely slow down your process. You should have them in for at least twenty-two hours every single day. Leaving your aligners out for more than two hours will set you back a lot more than you think. It causes your teeth to tighten up and will take a good part of a day to get them loosened up again once you put the aligners back in. If you’re going to choose Invisalign, you must be prepared to commit the proper amount of time to wearing them every day. The plus side is that you will be able to see results fairly quickly with proper use.
4. You Will Have to Change Your Diet
Yes, you remove your aligners when you eat and drink. But keep in mind that you only have a total window of two hours a day to keep them out. This means your long, leisurely mornings guzzling multiple cups of coffee are gone, as are all-night cocktails with your friends. When the aligners are in, you’ll need to stick to water only. However, remember that these changes are temporary and well worth it in the long run.
5. Your Oral Hygiene Routine Is Going to Take Longer
Brushing and flossing become especially important with Invisalign. Remember—whatever is resting on the surface of your teeth when you put your aligners in is going to be trapped there for a long time. If you’re not cleaning properly before putting them in, you’re increasing your likelihood of decay, which can cause cavities and big problems like gum disease down the road. In addition to your teeth, you need to make time to clean your aligners as well. Your dentist will instruct you on how to care for them, but the good news is that it’s very easy.
Invisalign is a fantastic way to get straight teeth without many of the inconveniences of braces. However, it’s imperative that you’re ready to commit to the daily usage and proper hygiene habits that they require in order to see maximum results with minimum setbacks. To learn more, visit Keith A. Kye, DDS, FAGD at https://www.kyedentistry.com/.
Dr. Kye cares for patients in Huntersville, North Carolina.