Before you start Invisalign treatment, there are a few things you should know to help you set realistic goals and get ready for what’s ahead. Many of our patients want to know what treatment means beyond just wearing clear aligners. We at Marrecau Orthodontics want to make sure patients understand everything before they agree to Invisalign so there are no surprises along the way.
First, you need to know how much work it’s going to take to get better. You have to wear your Invisalign aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. This isn’t a recommendation, it’s important your teeth move as planned. You can only take them out to eat, drink anything other than water, or brush your teeth. This means you’ll wear them to work, to parties, to sleep and for almost everything else. Patients who aren’t ready to make this level of commitment sometimes struggle with treatment or take a lot longer to finish.
You should also know you’ll feel some pain, especially when you switch to a new set of aligners. This pressure is good because it means the aligners are doing their job of moving your teeth. Most of the time the pain is mild and goes away within a day or two as your teeth get used to it. It’s not like the sharp pain you get when brackets break or wires poke you with regular braces, but you can still expect some pressure and sensitivity during treatment.
When you first start using aligners, talking can feel weird. Some people find they have a slight lisp for the first few days as they get used to having plastic on their teeth. This almost always goes away fast as your mouth gets used to the aligners and you learn to talk normally with them in. After the first week, most people around you won’t even notice a change in how you talk.
During treatment you may need attachments on some of your teeth. These are little, tooth-colored bumps made of composite material that help the aligners hold onto your teeth and make certain kinds of movement. While they’re almost invisible, you should know they’re part of most Invisalign treatments. At the end of treatment the attachments are removed and they don’t hurt your teeth.
During treatment it’s even more important to keep your aligners clean and your mouth clean. Before putting your aligners back in, you need to brush, you need to brush. You should brush and floss at least once a day. Putting aligners on dirty teeth traps food and germs against your teeth which greatly increases your chance of getting cavities.
During treatment you will have to adjust the way you eat and drink. You have to take out your aligners for every meal and snack. Because of this some people don’t snack as often because they don’t want to have to take out the aligners and brush their teeth. You also can’t consume hot foods or drinks with your mouth. You can also drink them. You should also not eat them. In.
Treatment timelines are only estimates, not promises. We can estimate how long your treatment should take based on your treatment plan but everyone’s results are different. Some teeth move faster than you think they will, while others take longer. Your body’s reaction to treatment and how often you wear your aligners will both affect your final timeline. Adult orthodontic treatment helps improve both oral health and appearance with subtle solutions like Invisalign and clear braces. Many adults choose treatment to gain confidence and a healthier smile that fits their lifestyle.
After you finish your Invisalign treatment you’ll need to wear retainers just like you would after getting braces. A lot of patients don’t know this ahead of time. After treatment your teeth will want to move back to where they were before so you need to wear retainers to keep your results. At first you’ll wear retainers all the time but over time you’ll only wear them at night.
Providers in Parkland have different prices and payment plans. Don’t think all orthodontists charge the same or have the same payment plans. We are transparent about our prices and will help you set up a payment plan that works for you but you should always ask about prices during your appointment.
Not everyone is a good candidate for Invisalign. Severe orthodontic problems may require traditional braces or even surgical orthodontics. During your consultation an honest assessment will show if Invisalign can help with your specific problem. Before you start treatment you should know these important things. They will help you prepare for the commitment and get the beautiful healthy smile you want.