It’s fairly common for patients to be a little nervous when they start orthodontic treatment—there’s a lot to learn, after all. At Foley Orthodontics, we want you to go into this experience with as many answers as possible, so we’re discussing the timeframe of clear aligner treatment. One of the most common questions our clear aligner patients ask us is, “What can I expect when I begin treatment with clear aligners?”
Getting Adjusted
Invisalign can present certain challenges for some patients that others won’t face—but there are a lot of universal experiences with clear aligners, too. Whatever obstacles you may face, remember that Dr. Foley is an expert in this process!
- Extended Wear Time: People often underestimate how long aligners need to be worn to work correctly. 20-22 hours a day sounds like a long time because it is! It’s very important to adhere to this time frame since less frequent wear can slow down treatment results.
- Shifting Speech: Patients may experience a slight lisp or certain syllables sounding different when they speak with their trays in. This can catch people off guard at first—but with practice, you’ll be able to work through it.
- Switching Aligner Trays: Part of Invisalign treatment is shifting to a new, slightly different set of clear aligners 1-2 weeks. Dr. Foley will provide you with these, and can make any necessary adjustments that you may need.
- Increased Oral Hygiene Routine: You’ll have to be extra diligent about your oral hygiene. Frequent brushing and flossing help avoid plaque buildup and reduce the risk of staining your aligners.
- Staying Extra Hydrated: If drinking lots of water wasn’t on your radar before, it will be now! Hydration helps to flush out food particles and keep your mouth clean, as well as contributes to a more comfortable wear experience.
- Regular Removal: Some patients initially wonder if they’re supposed to eat with their trays in—this is not recommended. You’ll take your aligners out after every meal, followed by brushing and flossing.
Starting Off Successful
There are a number of additional tips that you might not already be aware of which can make your life with Invisalign a lot better. If you set yourself up for success in the beginning with Dr. Foley’s support, you’ll guarantee a higher quality of treatment in the long run.
- Embrace a Routine: Create a routine and stick to it. The more consistent, the better. This might include setting certain times of day for meals and cleanings.
- Use Orthodontic Wax: Aligners can occasionally cause irritation from rubbing against your gum. Orthodontic wax can provide a buffer for the edges of the plastic to help reduce this friction.
- Keep a Case: It’s very wise to place your aligners in a durable, colorful case when they aren’t in use. You can even get more than one if you enjoy fun designs—but do your best to make this your aligners’ second home, as opposed to leaving them out on a table or in a drawer.
- Travel Smart: When you’re traveling, pack your current set of Invisalign trays as well as the next round. We also recommend a small kit of supplies to take with you, containing tools like a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss.
- Maintain Your Appointments: At Foley Orthodontics, we know life can get awfully busy—but our office team works hard to accommodate our patients’ schedules so that they see Dr. Foley on time. Please let us know if you have any concerns about attending visits.
- Communicate: If any discomfort arises that feels unusual or is impossible to ignore, it’s important to let us know. The same goes for significant fit issues; our team can’t know some things are wrong until you tell us. We don’t recommend a do-it-yourself approach to orthodontic treatment!
- Playing it Patient: While we live in an age of instant results, orthodontic changes don’t happen overnight. Invisalign requires commitment, so you have to stick with your treatment plan, even on tough days. One great way to stay motivated is by taking weekly progress photos. You may not notice changes day-to-day, but as the weeks go by, you’ll be amazed by your smile’s transformation!
Getting Into Your Groove
Time is the ultimate tool for Invisalign treatment—getting into a routine and letting the days and weeks pass you by. There are many milestones in this process, and you should celebrate them. Our team will be there to celebrate alongside you!
We feel truly lucky to get to serve our Cary community. You can read some of the kind words left by our patients here. Come and see us soon!