10 Essential Tips to Know Before Starting Invisalign

What Should You Expect During the Initial Consultation?

Here are the five expected things during the initial consultation period:

1. Comprehensive Examination: The orthodontist examines the teeth alignment, bite issues, and jaw alignment in the first appointment. The gum diseases or cavities are treated before they become severe. The patient’s past oral or dental history is reviewed to take necessary steps. 
2. Diagnostic Records: Modern tools are used to take 3D scans of the patient's teeth to plan the treatment. Photos and X-rays are taken to get a clear picture of the jawbone, teeth, and roots. 
3. Customized Plan: The diagnostic results are utilized in the treatment plan. A virtual preview of the whole treatment plan is shared to show the patient how the teeth movement takes place. The dentist shares an estimated plan and the timeline of the treatment process. 
4. Cost & Payment Discussion: The orthodontist provides a clear and transparent cost breakdown note. The payment is made whether using a payment plan or financing options. This makes the overall treatment more affordable. 
5. Q&A Session: In this section, patients ask questions about the timeline of the treatment process and how they need to care for the aligners. Oral hygiene maintenance is also a common question in this regard. The minor discomfort management methods are used to deal with the pain in the treatment process. 

What Foods and Drinks Should You Avoid with Invisalign?

Here is the list of the five foods or drinks that need to be avoided with aligners:

1. Remove Before Eating: Always take care to remove aligners before having a meal. IT saves aligners from damage due to crunchy or hard food. 
2. Avoid Hot Drinks: Remove the aligners before having a hot tea, coffee, or hot beverages, as they can deform the plastic of the aligners. This deformation reduces the consistent required pressure on the teeth, which affects the treatment timeline. 
3. Skip Sugary & Colored Drinks: Drak-colored drinks also cause staining, which affects the aesthetics of Invisalign aligners. For example, juices, sodas, and wine result in stains on teeth and aligners. 
4. Water is Safe: It is safe to drink plain water while wearing aligners, as it does not affect their fit or cause any staining. Water is colorless and contains no acid to harm the aligners. 
5. No Chewing Gum: Sticky foods or chewy gums get trapped in teeth, which results in plaque formation and tooth enamel decay. 

How Do You Clean and Care for Invisalign Aligners?

Here are the six steps to clean and care for the Invisalign aligners:

1. Rinse Regularly: Prefer using lukewarm water to remove the saliva and bacteria whenever the aligners are removed. A separate soap and soft-bristle brush is preferred for cleaning the inside and outside of the aligners. Toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients, which are harmful to aligners. 
2. Brush Gently: A soft-bristled toothbrush is preferred to brush aligners lightly to avoid scratches. Avoid the use of a regular toothbrush and toothpaste.
3. Avoid Hot Water: Drinking hot water can distort the shape of the aligners. It interferes with their proper fit and affects the overall effectiveness of the treatment. 
4. Soak Daily: A denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning crystal is used for cleaning the aligners completely. One packet of the crystals is dissolved in hot water, and the aligners are soaked in it for 15 minutes. 
5. Clean Teeth Before Wearing: Prefer brushing and flossing before wearing the aligners to prevent plaque formation and bacterial production. Other options include Polident tablets and a hydrogen peroxide solution with water to deep clean the aligners.  
6. Store Properly: Keep the aligners in their case to protect them from damage and prevent exposure to bacteria. Don’t wrap the aligners in a napkin, as there is a risk of throwing away the aligners with the napkin. 

How Many Hours Per Day Should You Wear Aligners?

Patients are instructed to wear Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day. Remove the aligners only while eating, drinking(except water), or cleaning. Frequently removing aligners can cause he treatment time to be longer than the predicted one. 

Will Invisalign Affect Your Speech?

Yes, the Invisalign treatment affects speech. It causes temporary irritation to the cheeks and lips. Practicing the word pronunciation with consistent wear speeds up the speech process. The alphabet's “s” and “z” are most commonly affected in the treatment. The mouth produces more saliva in the first few days, as it recognizes the aligners as a foreign object. 

How Often Will You Switch Aligners?

The aligners are shifted every 1-2 weeks. It depends on the treatment plan and the compliance of the patient. Switching the ligners too late or too early affects the results at the end of treatment. Save the previous aligners in the case as a backup. 

How Frequently Do You Need Check-Ups?

The patient needs to visit after every 6-8 weeks to track the progress and changes in the aligners according to the new tooth structure. Modern technologies are used nowadays to do virtual monitoring, as it reduces frequent office visits. Regular check-ups ensure that the aligners are working properly. 

What Role Do Attachments Play in Invisalign?

Attachments, also known as buttons, are used to apply continuous force on the aligners to set them on track. These are small and are tooth colored, which bond to the teeth to grip aligners for severe issues. Orthodontists prefer using these attachments in complex cases for more effective results. 

What Are the Costs and Insurance Options?

Invisalign treatment is aesthetically preferred and is more expensive than braces. The total cost is influenced by the length of the treatment and the orthodontist’s level of expertise. Typically, it ranges from $3,000 to $9,000 in most areas. Appointments or scans also increase the final cost of this treatment.

What Happens After Invisalign Treatment Ends?

At the end of this treatment, retainers are used to maintain the gained results. Retainers are of different types, which are either fixed or removable. At the start of the retainer phase, the orthodontist suggests wearing these retainers for 20-22 hours a day for effective results. They help keep the teeth from moving back to their original position.

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