Invisalign® is an innovation that adds convenience to the process of teeth straightening. That does not take away from the fact the process is an orthodontic treatment that takes time. To get the most out of the time, money, and effort you put into your treatment, you need to be a little proactive. A few hacks can help.
How Invisalign® works, in broad strokes
Clear aligners like Invisalign® work by applying gentle, constant pressure to target teeth. The use of gradual pressure to move the teeth is common in many orthodontic treatments. Traditional appliances like braces use individual brackets to shift and realign individual teeth. Clear aligners achieve the same result differently.
Clear aligners come as a series of custom dental trays that are a near-perfect fit for the wearer’s teeth. The small difference between the person’s teeth and the dental trays puts pressure on specific teeth. Gradually, individual teeth start moving so that they fit the clear aligner like a glove.
When the dental trays become a perfect fit, the patient visits their dentist for monitoring. The dentist will then ask the patient to wear the next set of aligners in the series. These too will be a near-perfect fit that will push the teeth into the exact alignment of the trays.
Clear aligners are a great invention, but their efficacy is only as good as the discipline of the patient that wears them. Here are a few tips to ensure that Invisalign® and other clear aligners work perfectly.
1. Smooth the edges of the aligners to avoid sores and sore spots
Some seams form when a set of clear aligners are worn. The edges of the dental trays rest at the base of the teeth, where the tongue can easily make contact. If the tongue keeps grazing the seams of the aligners, it may develop cuts or sore spots.
To protect the tongue, use dental wax to smooth the edges of the clear aligners. The wax will create a gentle transition from the gums to the dental trays. The happy result will be a tongue that is free of cuts, bruises, and sores.
2. Manage the soreness that comes with orthodontics
The pressure that aligns the teeth may be gentle and gradual, but it is noticeable. This means that the wearer of clear aligners will experience some soreness in the jaws and teeth.
Chewing exercises massage the teeth and gums, which relieves any pain and soreness that the patient experiences. The exercises stimulate blood flow to the teeth and the structures that support them. An increase in blood flow reduces discomfort in the gums while keeping the teeth healthy.
3. Maintain fastidious oral health
Dental trays encase the teeth and any food particles that may happen to be on or between the teeth. If this happens consistently, it can lead to dental problems like cavities. For this reason, a person who wears Invisalign® should clean their teeth after each meal and before wearing their aligners.
4. Track how long the aligners stay on
On one hand, clear aligners need to stay on the teeth for 22 hours a day. On the other hand, the aligners need to come off every time their wearer eats or cleans their teeth. The minutes it takes to have a meal and clean the mouth can add up. They can take away from the 22 hours that the aligners need to stay on the teeth.
This is where tracking comes in. A notebook or an app can help the wearer of Invisalign® to track how long their aligners stay off their teeth. The information can help the person make adjustments if need be.
Getting straight teeth is now a whole lot easier with clear aligners
Invisalign could be just the thing to deliver the perfect smile that you deserve. Reach out to speak to our dentist and find out how orthodontics can level up your oral health, your smile, and your life.
Request an appointment here: https://boyntonbeachtownsquaredentistry.com/ or call Town Square Dentistry at (561) 782-9633 for an appointment in our Boynton Beach office.
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