5 Important Details to Know Before You Get Invisalign
January 10, 2025
Invisalign is a remarkably popular treatment, with countless individuals using it every year to straighten their teeth. Are you thinking about becoming an Invisalign patient? Certainly, you can be excited about the road ahead. Before you commit to anything, though, there are some important details that you should know. This blog post aims to help you have a realistic mindset as you embark on your treatment journey.
You Must Remember to Wear Your Aligners
A great feature of Invisalign is that it uses removable aligner trays. That can make it easier to maintain a clean mouth and enjoy a variety of foods. However, the removability of the aligners has a potential drawback; there is a chance you could forget to wear them!
You should keep Invisalign in your mouth for 20 – 22 hours each day. Failure to do so can slow your treatment’s progress. To make sure you wear your aligners enough, you might use an app like TrayMinder or simply set a reminder to put your aligners back in your mouth every time you remove them.
You May Need to Adjust Some of Your Eating Habits
Even though there are no real dietary restrictions with Invisalign, you might still need to adjust your eating and drinking habits. The only thing you should consume while your aligners are in your mouth is plain water. Other beverages, as well as all foods, should only be eaten when you are not wearing Invisalign.
Since you do not want to cut too much into your Invisalign wear time, you may need to reduce the number of snacks you eat throughout the day. Instead, try to plan each of your three main meals so they have enough nutrients to keep you satisfied for several hours.
Some Discomfort Is Normal
Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic, so they rest comfortably against the oral tissues. However, some discomfort is still to be expected, especially when you first start wearing a set of aligners. Usually, any unpleasantness wears off within a few days. In the meantime, you can use OTC medications to manage your discomfort.
You Might Sound Different
The way your tongue interacts with your teeth plays a big role in how your speech sounds. Because Invisalign places a barrier around your teeth, there is a chance that you will develop a slight lisp or find that you need to speak more slowly than usual. For most patients, speech abnormalities go away once they get used to their aligners.
Invisalign Works Quickly
The average treatment time with Invisalign is 12 months, but some cases require more or less time. Your dentist can estimate how long it will take for you to see your final results. If you follow treatment instructions, you can expect your teeth to move efficiently.
Is there anything else you would like to know about Invisalign? Talk to your dentist during a personal consultation!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Proshat Shahrestany is the highly skilled dentist who founded Studio City Dental Arts in 2012. In the years since then, she has helped many people to enjoy the benefits of Invisalign treatment. If you would like to learn what you can expect as you are straightening your teeth, Dr. Shahrestany and our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our office at 818-760-0200.