Our Delta dentists provide some important facts that each patient should consider before choosing Invisalign orthodontic treatment.
1. Invisalign a full-time commitment.
Although Invisalign aligners are removable, they still require full-time wear to be effective. That means they should be worn 22 hours a day, every day, for the entire duration of treatment, and only removed to eat, and to brush and floss your teeth.
It can be all too easy to just take a little break from treatment here and there when your teeth are feeling especially sore, or to simply forget to put the aligners back in. If after careful self-examination you don’t think you’ll be able to be consistent, Invisalign may not be a good choice for you. On that note...
2. Invisalign may not be right for you.
Invisalign is very effective and convenient for people who have minor to moderate misalignment. For those with more complex problems though, Invisalign could take a very long time, making braces a better choice.
3. You have to brush after EVERY meal.
It's not a good idea to seal food particles in between your teeth and your aligners. It won’t feel very good, and can result in bad breath over time. This is because it makes it easy for the bacteria to grow and thrive, which will also lead to tooth decay over time - a much bigger problem. For this reason, you'll always want to have a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss handy between meals.
4. The aligners can become stained and warped.
Invisalign aligners can get stained when exposure to certain dark coloured drinks. In addition, hot liquids like tea and coffee can make the plastic material warp. While it's not strictly necessary to take your aligners out to drink your coffee, it may be a good idea.
5. Those extra snacks may not be worth it.
You’ll have to be strategic about your meal schedule during your Invisalign treatment. If you want a snack mid afternoon, remember that in addition to eating, you'll need to take the extra time to brush and floss your teeth, and to clean your aligners before you put them back in. For the sake of convenience, eating bigger meals less frequently may be for the best.