5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Invisalign Treatment

Teeth misalignments, often called malocclusions, are common issues that usually affect developing teeth in children. However, they can also happen in adults. Braces and aligners are the go-to methods for gaining a straighter smile, with Invisalign being the choice for over 1.5 million people. 

The process of straightening teeth with Invisalign happens over time. But after treatment, how can you keep your teeth straight? Let’s explore the basics of Invisalign and what you should do to preserve the results of this dental treatment.

If you live in Mamaroneck, New York, or Stamford, Connecticut, and want a straighter smile, Dr. Gennadiy Kravets and our staff at All Bright Dental can help.

Invisalign basics

Invisalign provides the functions of traditional metal braces without the embarrassment of a mouthful of metal. It hit the market in 1998 and uses a thermoplastic material called SmartTrack to create the transparent aligner trays. 

Several types of malocclusions exist, and Invisalign manages many of them, including crowded teeth, gapped teeth, open bites, crossbite, overbite, and underbite.

A mold of your teeth is made using 3D scanning, and once that’s obtained, we can map out the best path to aligning your teeth. As Invisalign does its job, we adjust and replace the trays (every two or so weeks) until we reach our goal. The aligners must be worn for up to 22 hours daily during the process.

Post-treatment care tips

Here’s what you can do to maximize the benefits of Invisalign:

1. Proper dental hygiene

The primary advantage of Invisalign is that it is removable, which makes it easier to clean your teeth.  

2. Wear retainers as long as necessary 

Once you have your retainer, you’re expected to wear it for 22 hours a day for the first 3-6 months. Then, you only need to wear it at night. Staying to your schedule will keep your teeth from shifting.

3. Clean them properly

Invisalign aligners are quite durable, but you still need to care for them. Use lukewarm water to clean them with a soft bristle toothbrush inside and outside the whole tray. Soak them if brushing doesn’t remove the stains.

4. Proper eating habits 

Remove your aligners to eat at meals. Also, brush your teeth after eating before you put the aligners or retainer back in.  

5. Regular Checkups

Keep your dental appointments so we can monitor everything. You’ll also be given instructions on retainer use and have time to have your questions answered. 

Invisalign is one of the best ways to straighten your teeth. For questions and concerns about Invisalign trays and maintenance, make an appointment with Dr. Kravets and All Bright Dental today.