Are your teeth crooked or misaligned? Thanks to Invisalign, you can now correct your smile with Invisalign aligners. Invisalign treatment involves the use of clear or invisible tray aligners to shift or change the position of the teeth. Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign offers a secretive, highly effective, and quicker treatment. For Invisalign near you in Pearland, contact Harmonsy Dental today to speak with a specialist.
Invisalign Treatment
If you’re curious about how the Invisalign treatment works, here’s a rundown for you:
- Initial Consultation With Your Orthodontist
The first step to the Invisalign treatment is to see your dentist for professional examination and advice. During the examination, your dentist will review your suitability for the procedure and advise accordingly. For Invisalign in Pearland, TX, contact Harmonsy Dental.
- Creating the Treatment Plan
If you’re cleared for the treatment, your dentist will begin the treatment by taking photos, X-rays, and impressions of your mouth to study your oral condition more closely. The records are then sent to the lab for the creation of the Invisalign trays. Finally, you’ll be sent home and called in for another appointment once the Invisalign aligners are ready.
- Wearing the Aligners
Once the aligners are ready, your dentist will give them to you. Next, the dentist will show you how to wear and clean the aligners. Please note that the Invisalign treatment works in phases. This means that every two weeks, you’ll have to wear a new set of aligners.
Each set of aligners is supposed to shift or move your teeth closer to the desired position, making them straighter. When giving your aligners, the dentist will also give you a few aftercare tips to ensure quick and effective treatment. These include:
- You should wear the tray aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day
- Clean your aligners daily
- Always rinse your aligners before wearing them back
- Do not eat with your aligners on
- Floss at least once per day
- Brush at least twice a day. If possible, brush after every meal, or rinse your mouth if you cannot brush after every meal.
- Avoid colored foods and drinks
- Notify your dentist if you experience any problems with your aligners
Not following these instructions can cause problems or delays with the treatment. For instance, if you don’t wear the aligners for the recommended time, your teeth won’t shift or progress according to the treatment plan.
On average, the Invisalign treatment takes about 12 months to complete. However, the treatment duration may vary depending on the complexity of your condition.Therefore, you should discuss with your dentist how long your treatment may take.
- Wearing the Retainer
Most people don’t know that the last set of aligners doesn’t mark the end of the Invisalign treatment. Once the aligner phase is completed successfully, you’ll have to wear a retainer to maintain the results. The retainer holds the teeth and jawbone in their desired position, reducing the risk of the teeth shifting back to their original position. This offers a more lasting and straighter smile.
The good news is that retainers don’t have to be worn everyday like aligners. Initially, they should be worn full-time. Then, after a while, they can be worn every night or a few times a week. Your dentist will guide you on how to wear the retainers.
There are two types of retainers, namely- fixed retainers and removable retainers. A fixed retainer consists of a thin metallic wire. The retainer is glued to the back of the teeth on the side of the tongue. If you use a fixed retainer, ensure you brush your teeth thoroughly to prevent staining at the back of your teeth.
A removable retainer comes in two forms. One, there’s a traditional wire retainer, also known as Hawley retainer. Secondly, there’s a clear retainer that resembles an Invisalign tray, commonly referred to as a 3D or Essie retainer.
Caring for Your Retainers
If well-cared for, a retainer can last for a lifetime. To keep your retainers in good shape, use the following tips:
- Use a soft brush to clean your removable retainers everyday. Then, deep clean them once per week by soaking them in a retainer-cleaning solution.
- For fixed retainers, brush around the wires thoroughly at least twice a day.
- Remove the removable retainers when eating and playing sports to prevent damage.
- Contact your dentist if your retainers are damaged or ill-fitting. Do not adjust them by yourself.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you ready for your Invisalign treatment, or do you have any further questions about Invisalign treatment? For Invisalign in Pearland, contact Harmonsy Dental today to schedule your appointment.