Invisalign is becoming popular for people looking to straighten their teeth without wearing traditional metal braces. If you want to improve your smile but don’t like the idea of wearing braces, Invisalign might be right for you.
Here, we will answer the common questions you may have about Invisalign and other essential things you need to know so that you can decide whether this procedure is for you or not based on facts.
Contents Navigation
- What Is Invisalign Treatment?
- Why Should I Get Invisalign?
- What Are The Advantages Of Invisalign Treatment?
- What Side Effects Can Occur With Invisalign?
- Will I Be Able To Eat While Wearing Invisalign?
- Can Invisalign Aligners Get Stained?
- How Do I Clean Invisalign Aligners?
- How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Last?
- Does Invisalign Hurt?
- Can Invisalign Cause Allergic Reactions?
- Is Invisalign Suitable For Children?
- How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
- Final Thoughts
What Is Invisalign Treatment?
This orthodontic treatment involves using clear aligners to straighten crooked teeth gradually. These almost invisible aligners are made of strong medical-grade plastic that is custom-made for each individual based on the current position of their teeth and where they should be positioned, as determined by their dentist.
The whole process may take some time, but the Invisalign treatment is typically shorter and more convenient than traditional braces. Your aligners are also removable, so you can take them out to eat, brush your teeth, and floss.
Why Should I Get Invisalign?
Your dentist may recommend Invisalign if you have the following mild to moderate conditions:
- You have gapped teeth
- You have crowded teeth
- You have misaligned teeth or an overbite (your upper teeth bite over your lower teeth)
- You have an underbite, or your lower teeth bite in front of your upper teeth
What Are The Advantages Of Invisalign Treatment?
There are several benefits of Invisalign treatment, as follows:
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- Comfort
The smooth plastic of the aligners will not irritate your gums and cheeks as metal braces can. Instead, they are personalised to fit snugly on your teeth, which your dentist can switch every two weeks. Whereas with braces, you have to visit your dentist every four weeks for them to tighten the wires. - Discreet
Invisalign aligners are like invisible braces. Because they are clear, people usually won’t notice that you’re wearing them unless you tell them. This is a good way to improve the appearance of your teeth discreetly. - Fewer Food Restrictions
You can take out your aligners to eat whatever you want without worrying about breaking a wire or bracket, just like braces. This minimises the possibility of orthodontic emergency visits to your dentist since there are no wires or brackets to break. But you have to keep in mind to remove them when drinking hot beverages because heat can distort the shape of your plastic aligners. - Good Oral Hygiene
It’s easier to brush and floss your teeth when you’re not wearing braces to prevent tooth decay. Simply remove your aligners and brush and floss your teeth as usual. Similarly, you can clear your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush or soak them in a cleaning solution designed for disinfecting Invisalign aligners.
Also, after your Invisalign treatment, it’s less likely that you will see stains on your teeth because you are able to brush all the surfaces of your teeth since the trays are removable. With regular dental braces, you may see teeth stains after completing your treatment because it’s challenging to clean your teeth with wires and brackets in the way.
- Comfort
What Side Effects Can Occur With Invisalign?
Like any other dental procedure, Invisalign also comes with side effects. These include:
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- Soreness And Mild Pain
Wearing the aligners for the first few days can cause your teeth and gums to feel sore and sometimes bleeding since these put pressure on the gums. Also, some may experience mild pain in all teeth or just one tooth, especially for the first week of wearing them. These are normal and will resolve on their own after a few days or weeks. Remember, the aligners are moving your teeth into a new correct position, causing them to feel tender. - Temporarily Worsened Appearance
When you first start wearing Invisalign, your teeth may look worse before they look better as they begin to shift into place. - Speech Interference
The presence of the aligners in your mouth can make it difficult to speak clearly. However, this is only temporary and will go away as the treatment progresses and you get used to wearing them. - Cheek Biting And Cut Tongue
Some people may accidentally bite their cheeks or cut their tongues when they first start wearing Invisalign. This is because they are not used to the aligners in their mouth. It varies from person to person, but it may take some time to adapt to wearing the aligners. You can try using antibacterial mouthwash to prevent infection and irritation if this happens to you. - Allergic Reaction
In some cases, allergic reactions occur from the materials used in the Invisalign aligners. If this happens, contact your dentist immediately as you may need to switch to a different type of aligner.
- Soreness And Mild Pain
Will I Be Able To Eat While Wearing Invisalign?
Since you can remove the aligners while eating, there are no food restrictions with Invisalign. This means you can eat anything you want, including sticky food, without worrying about breaking a wire or bracket, just like braces.
On the other hand, you should also note that drinking a lot of water while you’re on the treatment is important as it can help wash away some sugar, acid or plaque accumulated on your teeth.
Can Invisalign Aligners Get Stained?
The clear aligners can get stained if you eat or drink certain foods and beverages. To avoid staining, it’s best to remove the aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water.
How Do I Clean Invisalign Aligners?
To maintain the cleanliness of your aligners, consider these tips:
- Clean your aligners with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild liquid soap every night to remove accumulated food particles and debris during the day. Rinse thoroughly with water after brushing, avoiding hot water to prevent warping their shape.
- Store them in a clean protective case whenever they are not in use.
- Make sure to clean your aligners before putting them back on if you remove them for eating.
- Soak them in a special cleaning solution designed for Invisalign aligners to remove any stubborn stains, odours and bacteria buildup.
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Last?
The whole treatment time varies from person to person, but most people can expect to wear Invisalign for about 12 months to be completed. But some may be required to wear them for longer (like18 months), depending on the severity of their case. Also, you should wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours per day to achieve good results.
Here’s an estimated timeline of what you can expect with Invisalign treatment:
- Initial consultation: During your consultation appointment, your dentist will assess your overall mouth condition and take x-rays, digital scans or impressions of your teeth to determine if Invisalign is right for you.
- Treatment plan: If you're a good candidate for Invisalign, your dentist will develop a personalised treatment plan specifically for you. This will include the placement of attachments on your teeth and the number of aligners needed that best work for your facial structure. They will consider how to address alignment issues, like an intrusion, bite correction, tooth rotation, etc.
- Receiving aligner trays: Your dentist will give you the first set of aligners to wear. You will need to wear them for about two weeks before moving on to the next set in the series. Typically, you can expect 1/10 of a millimetre of movement per tray.
- The first 4-6 weeks: You will likely experience some discomfort as your teeth begin to shift. You may also observe that your speech is slightly hindered and that your aligners may feel bulky.
- Weeks 6-8: S You should start to see a change in the alignment of your teeth. The bulkiness of the aligners will also begin to decrease as your teeth become more accustomed to them.
- Weeks 8-10: You should start to see a change in the alignment of your teeth. The bulkiness of the aligners will also begin to decrease as your teeth become more accustomed to them.
- Weeks 10 onwards: You should start to see a change in the alignment of your teeth. The bulkiness of the aligners will also begin to decrease as your teeth become more accustomed to them.
Does Invisalign Hurt?
You may feel pain and mild discomfort after 24 hours of receiving your aligners, gradually lessening until the 7th day. Overall, the worst pain you may experience lasts for a week and resolves on its own. However, some may experience mild discomfort throughout the treatment if they have pain intolerance or sensitive teeth or gums.
Can Invisalign Cause Allergic Reactions?
As mentioned earlier, allergic reactions are some of the side effects of Invisalign. Some studies report that the polyurethane and isocyanate components of Invisalign retainers can cause allergic reactions. It may be a minor gum and mouth irritation for some patients, while others may experience more serious effects, including the difficulty of breathing, throat or lip swelling, blisters or anaphylactic reactions. When any of these symptoms occur, be sure to discuss them with your dentist.
Is Invisalign Suitable For Children?
Children cannot start with Invisalign treatment until all their adult teeth have come in. This varies, but generally, this happens at around 12 to 13 years of age.
It’s also important to consider the child’s maturity since aligners should be worn for several hours a day and regularly cleaned them. Therefore, children who cannot follow these instructions may not be ideal candidates for Invisalign.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
You can expect to pay $6,000 to $9,000 for a full Invisalign treatment and up to $4,500 for minor procedures. Be sure to contact your dentist for an accurate quote since they will base the price on your condition.
Final Thoughts
Invisalign is a good option that involves wearing clear aligners for those who want to achieve straighter teeth without using metal wires and brackets. It’s also more comfortable and less visible, making it ideal for adults concerned about their appearance. However, Invisalign is not suitable for everyone, and there are some risks and side effects to consider before starting treatment.
If you are seeking ways to improve your smile and chewing function and are considering Invisalign treatment, contact us at 03 8373 0995.
Magical Smiles is a state-of-the-art dental clinic in Caroline Springs, VIC. We have a team of dentists with several years of experience performing Invisalign treatment. At your appointment, we will thoroughly assess your oral health condition and let you know if you are a good candidate for the treatment. If not, we may recommend another treatment option that serves the same purpose. Furthermore, we will discuss all the benefits, risks and procedures to help you decide if Invisalign is the right treatment for you. Most importantly, we can provide you with an accurate estimate of how much you can spend throughout the process, plus the types of payment plans we offer so that you can prepare financially ahead of time.