Nine out of ten people have misaligned teeth. Teeth problems affect your confidence, cause discomfort, and sometimes lead to greater issues like temporomandibular disorders (TMD). If your smile affects your quality of life, you might be wondering if Invisalign is right for you. In this article, we discuss six things you should know about Invisalign before and after to help you decide.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth using custom clear braces rather than the standard metal braces. These clear aligner trays correct teeth that are growing incorrectly or came in in the wrong place.
Depending on the condition of your teeth, Invisalign can correct the problem within 6 to 24 months. Simple fixes need the least amount of time while severe cases of overcrowded or crooked teeth might take the full two years.
Why Not Choose Braces?
If you’re interested in correcting your teeth, you may be wondering why you might choose Invisalign over braces. Invisalign braces are easy to remove and clean, while braces tend to make it more challenging to keep up with hygiene. Because you can remove them, there aren’t as many food restrictions as there are with standard braces.
Maybe you don’t like the look of braces, in which case Invisalign is clear and less noticeable. They’re also more comfortable because they’re molded to fit your teeth and don’t have any sharp metal edges.
You also don’t have to worry about having them tightened throughout your treatment. With Invisalign, you receive new sets as your teeth begin the correction process.
1. You Rarely Take Them Out
When you decide to get an Invisalign retainer, remember that they are a big commitment. While you may be thinking that, unlike braces, you get to take your Invisalign trays out more often, that isn’t the case.
An Invisalign is typically worn between 20 to 22 hours a day depending on your dentist’s recommendation. You’ll only need to take them out when you’re eating, drinking, or cleaning them.
2. It Won’t Be Comfortable at First
While Invisalign is often considered a more comfortable option, you’ll still experience some discomfort before getting used to them. The trays apply pressure to your teeth to move them into different positions. Sometimes this causes some discomfort after initial application and changing trays.
The pressure and shifting of your teeth may also result in other discomforts, such as headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, or nausea. For most people, this feeling fades in a short amount of time.
3. You Might Have Trouble Talking
When you start using your Invisalign, you might notice that you’ve started talking with a slight lisp when you talk. The lisp is due to how your tongue and mouth adjust to wearing it.
The good news is that this lisp is often only temporary. It is one of the initial challenges that go away after some time wearing your Invisalign.
4. They Require Maintenance
Committing to Invisalign treatment also means you’re responsible for their maintenance. Invisalign trays must be cleaned daily and cared for so they don’t experience any damage.
Start by rinsing out your trays each morning. If you need to do a deeper clean on them, take care to avoid using anything abrasive and stick with a soft bristle toothbrush. Don’t use any toothpaste on your trays and instead clean with soap and water.
Bring your Invisalign case with you so if you ever need to take it out to eat, it is well protected.
5. You Have to Brush Your Teeth After Eating
After getting Invisalign, your regular oral hygiene routine will need to experience an overhaul. Instead of brushing twice a day, you will need to brush several times a day.
Every time you eat something you need to brush and floss your teeth before putting your Invisalign back in your mouth. If skip this step, you risk food particles building up and spreading bacteria. Excess bacteria in your mouth leads to bad breath and tooth decay.
6. There are Several Options Available
Invisalign is available in several different options. Before you move forward, research your options to ensure you’re getting everything you want out of the treatment.
Some options use only the trays, while others may have buttons or rubber bands. Dentists use buttons or rubber bands if your mouth movements need to be more controlled to correct your teeth.
If you’ve been dreaming of whiter teeth, you can choose an Invisalign with teeth whitening. To whiten as you straighten, your Invisalign dentist often provides a whitening gel to use inside your trays.
How Much Is Invisalign?
Invisalign cost is comparable to the cost of braces and may be covered by your dental insurance depending on the provider. The cost of Invisalign varies based on the severity of your issue and how long you’ll need to wear them.
Talk to your insurance company to see what they cover and verify that your dentist is in their network. The average Invisalign price without insurance ranges between $1,800 and $9,000.
Keep These in Mind for Your Invisalign Before and After
If you’ve been considering Invisalign, these are some things to keep in mind before reaching a decision. Invisalign before and after is a big commitment that calls for daily care to achieve the best results.
The team at Carolina Smiles is committed to helping you find confidence in your smile. We offer comprehensive dental care to meet all your dental needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.