Invisalign is a set of clear aligners for teeth. It is used to align the teeth in a straight manner and correct crooked teeth. Invisalign is a very popular choice as it is next to invisible and has little to no effect on appearance. These are often preferred over traditional metal braces because metal braces are extremely visible and noticeable. Learn how to protect your Invisalign trays, read the full article here.
Invisalign is commonly used for the purpose of correcting crowding, spacing issues, and some bite issues like overbite and underbite. Invisalign can sometimes be more effective than traditional braces.
The procedure for Invisalign placement starts with the creation of a digital image of teeth using a software. This image is used for understanding the correct position of teeth after alignment. These aligners are then placed on the teeth. They work on the teeth by aligning them into the right place with the help of little pressure. These aligners are worn throughout the day and have to be replaced with a new pair every two weeks.
Aligners are supposed to be removed while eating, brushing, or flossing teeth and while cleaning them. Be careful while cleaning the aligners and do not use hot water to clean them as the heat could melt the material.
Many factors are also responsible for the effectiveness of these aligners. If your teeth are severely crooked and highly misaligned then it may take the aligners longer than the usual span of a couple of months to straighten the teeth. The patient’s age and gender are also contributing factors to its effectiveness.
Invisalign also has many pros and cons of its own. The obvious benefit of these aligners is that they are hardly visible from the outside and are comfortable to wear. They don’t affect the appearance in a negative way like other aligners. Also, they are removable and the patient can get rid of them if it makes them uncomfortable at any given moment. The major con of such aligners could be that it is very expensive and hard to afford.
Regular cleaning of Invisalign trays
Aligners can either be rinsed gently daily or deeply cleansed once a week. However, rinsing the aligners with water will not clear bacterial build-up and invisible germs. So, the aligners have to be deeply cleansed with either a cleaning solution or toothpaste. A little bit of liquid cleanser or toothpaste is taken and the aligners are gently brushed and then washed with water. Also, never soak Invisalign aligners in mouth wash as it could damage the material.
Invisalign storage
During night-time or when not in use, aligners are supposed to be stored in a cool and dry place. It is important to store them in hygienic conditions as these aligners directly enter the mouth and the patient can easily catch an infection.
Patients are provided with a specialized case made of plastic. When not in use, the patients can place the aligners in these cases and store them away in a dry place.
Removing aligners
It is recommended for the patients to wear the aligners the whole day. However, these aligners must be removed during eating something or sleeping. After removal, these Invisalign aligners are supposed to be stored in the provided cases and kept away from moisture.
Many patients suffer from grinding teeth at night. This is the primary reason why dentists recommend removing aligners at night. Also, while eating hard foods may enter inside the Invisalign or the sharp edges can damage the aligners from outside.
If you are not removing aligners during eating, there are certain sticky foods that you should avoid like chewing gum and candies or anything that can potentially harm the Invisalign.
Replacing Invisalign trays
The Invisalign is supposed to be worn 20 hours a day, so it is natural for them to undergo minor wear and tear. It also becomes necessary to replace them after a certain period. It is recommended to replace the Invisalign set with a new one after 2 weeks of use.
Due to said wear and tear, the Invisalign pair also starts to damage and their effect usually fades away. That is why it becomes necessary to replace them with a new pair. Keep in mind that Invisalign should be changed after a minimum application of 1 week.
Duration of treatment
The Invisalign aligners need a good 7 to 8 months to show their effect. The Invisalign applies gentle pressure on the teeth and pushes them back into their place by each day. Although they require almost a year to show full results, the patients can begin observing the effects within a few weeks of use.
Also, it is important to keep in mind that no two Invisalign treatments are the same so it may take some patients a full year to realign teeth while some may see the results within a few months. Always consider your dentists before removing the Invisalign. Sudden removal and stopping the use of Invisalign may cause more harm than good. If it is removed in between the reshaping process, the teeth may become oddly shaped and misaligned than before.
Demineralization
Demineralization is the appearance of white so it’s on the teeth post Invisalign. The major cause of demineralization is the interaction of food particles with bacterial accumulation. The acid produced due to this reaction slowly degrades the phosphates and calcium present in the teeth. Hence, the occurrence of white spots is observed. If left untreated these white spots can also progress into cavities since these spots are hypersensitive. Although mineralization can happen to anyone, it is more commonly observed in patients who use Invisalign since the invisible braces can trap food particles easily and these particles react with plaque. Also, the Invisalign can act as a breeding ground for bacteria as it gives a plane surface and humid and moist conditions. The best way to avoid demineralization is to brush and floss the teeth before wearing the Invisalign trays. Also, it is recommended to avoid certain foods that can initiate or accelerate the growth of bacteria.
