How Can I Maintain My Invisalign Results After Treatment?

Malocclusion is the term for misaligned teeth, which can be mild or severe depending on the cause. Usually, the upper set of teeth should slightly overlap the lower set in a closed mouth, but many conditions can change that, such as open bite, overbite, or underbite. 

Invisalign® is a standard treatment used to manage mild forms of malocclusion. It utilizes a transparent thermoplastic material to do work that used to be performed by metal braces. While effective, maintaining your results also requires maintenance after the treatment is finished. This blog examines how Invisalign works, how it aligns teeth, and some aftercare tips to keep your teeth straight.

If you live in Mamaroneck, New York, or Stamford, Connecticut, and are struggling with misaligned teeth, Dr. Gennadiy Kravets and our team at All Bright Dental can help with Invisalign.

The Invisalign process

Straightening teeth with Invisalign aligners takes between 12 and 18 months and starts with X-rays and intraoral scans to determine the health of your teeth. Once that’s established, a 3D scan is taken to build a simulation of what your smile will look like after treatment. The treatment instructions are sent to a lab where the aligner trays are made, and we fit you with your first set of many trays to begin straightening your teeth.

You’ll get a checkup in a few weeks to ensure the trays fit correctly. You’ll schedule monthly to monitor your progress. You’ll switch to new trays biweekly.

Aftercare and maintenance

Retainers keep teeth aligned after Invisalign treatment. They look similar to the Invisalign trays you used during treatment. Because your teeth can shift shortly after Invisalign treatment, your retainer holds them in place until your jawbone hardens around them. 

Here are some more tips to maintain your results: 

Retainer care

Keeping your retainer clean is vital to prevent plaque and bacteria buildup. To maintain your retainer, clean them as soon as you remove them from your mouth with lukewarm water and mild dish soap, using a soft toothbrush or denture brush. We can also recommend retainer cleaners.

Dental hygiene tips

Cleaning your teeth by brushing and flossing daily is just as important after Invisalign treatment. 

Get regular checkups 

Even after completing the Invisalign process, we’ll need to regularly examine your teeth to ensure your retainer is doing its job. If there are any changes, we can adjust your retainer if necessary. 

If you’re ready for a smile free of malocclusion, make an appointment with Dr. Kravets and All Bright Dental today.