If you’re considering Invisalign because it’s more convenient and easier to care for than traditional wire-and-bracket braces, you’ve come to the right place. Clear aligners can create a beautiful, healthy smile just like braces, but with a lot less of the hassle. But before you make that commitment, make sure you understand these important details first.
You May Still Experience Some Discomfort
While Invisalign aligners are said to be much more comfortable than braces, they can still sometimes cause a little discomfort, especially when you change to a new set. Thankfully, this usually goes away within two to three days, but sometimes you can experience pain from sharper edges on your aligner that might need to be filed down by your dentist. In the meantime, place dental wax over the sharp areas, and treat any remaining pain with over-the-counter pain medicine.
You May Need Buttons
In some Invisalign treatments, your dentist may attach small porcelain buttons to your teeth to add pressure points to help guide your teeth. These buttons are painless, but they may feel a little weird at first. They can also stain, so be sure to clean them thoroughly, especially after consuming dark foods and beverages. Otherwise, it’s going to be somewhat obvious that you have aligners in.
It’s a Time Commitment
While Invisalign treatment can often be done much faster than traditional braces treatments could, it is still a time commitment. You must attend your regular checkups for your orthodontic treatment as well as your regular dental exams, and you need to brush your teeth a bit more often than you would without aligners. That’s because if you don’t remove food particles from them after each meal, you will trap them between your teeth and your aligners where they can cause bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.
You Might Need a Retainer
Once your Invisalign treatment is over, you may think you’re done with oral appliances for good, but in some cases you may still need to wear a retainer to bed each night. This will help keep your teeth in their ideal alignment. While it may be frustrating to have to wear a retainer, you will still only need to wear it for a fraction of the time you were wearing your aligners.
You May Have a Lisp at First
As with any new oral appliance, there is always a bit of an adjustment period. This is true for Invisalign as well. Some people report it taking about a month or so to get used to speaking with their aligners in, and they may even have had a little bit of a lisp at first, too.
Thankfully, most of these impediments go away as you become used to talking and should not have any lasting effects once your treatment is complete.
Remember, if you’re looking for a less noticeable, safe, and effective way to align your teeth without the use of wire-and-bracket braces, Invisalign can help. Just be sure to do your homework before your treatment begins so you don’t experience any unexpected surprises along the way.
About Dr. Vernon
Dr. Luke Vernon cultivated his love for dentistry as a child needing extensive dental intervention. The experience taught him both the magic of dentistry as well as the importance of compassionate care. Today, Dr. Vernon applies those same lessons to his practice at Riviera Family Dentistry of Denver.
Dr. Vernon is a current member of the American Dental Association and the Colorado Dental Association and takes numerous continuing education courses to expand his knowledge and skills.
To schedule an appointment, please visit our website or call us at 720-902-8080 today.