Chances are, you’ve probably heard of Invisalign, which is an innovative method of teeth straightening that has grown increasingly popular over the past few years. It is often considered the best technique for teeth alignment, as it isn’t accompanied by the downsides of traditional metal braces. If you’re considering Invisalign, get in contact with Horsham Smiles today. Our team is happy to answer any questions you might have about the process.
How Does the Invisalign Process Start?
Before commencing with treatment, we require every Invisalign patient to attend a consultation with their dentist, which will allow both parties to determine whether or not Invisalign is a suitable treatment option. There are several factors to consider, including your medical history and commitment to the treatment. You must be willing to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day to reach the desired results. Your dentist will also go over the treatment cost, and you can decide whether you would like to use a payment plan to split up the cost over time.
Then What?
If you are certain that you want to start treatment, your dentist will need to take impressions, x-rays and photographs of your teeth. These will then be sent to an Invisalign technician, who will use them to create a 3D model of your teeth’s projected journey to their final position. From this, they will create your bespoke Invisalign trays.
What Happens Once I Get my Aligners?
These aligner trays have been designed to encourage your teeth into the desired position over the treatment period. Your dentist will give you multiple different sets of aligners that you will need to wear in a specific order. These should be swapped out for the next set every two weeks.
With Invisalign, it’s extremely important that you are consistent throughout the process. While their removable nature is undoubtedly a benefit when it comes to convenience, you mustn’t take them out for long periods at a time, or you risk sacrificing your progress. Your aligners should remain in your mouth for at least 22 hours per day and should ideally only be removed when eating or brushing your teeth. If you neglect to wear them a sufficient amount, your next set of aligners likely won’t fit your teeth. We recommend gently cleaning your trays with a soft toothbrush to eliminate any bacteria each night. This way, your risk of gum disease is greatly reduced.
What Happens After I Finish My Treatment Plan?
When you have completed wearing your last set of aligners, you will hopefully be finished with the Invisalign process. However, it is common for a few stray teeth to remain stubborn throughout the process, which may necessitate a little bit of extra treatment. In this case, your dentist will give you refinement trays, which will shift the last few teeth into position to perfect your smile.
After your treatment is completely finished, you should wear retainers at night to prevent them from becoming misaligned once more. For the first few months following treatment, retainers should be worn every night. Following this, we suggest wearing them a few times a week to keep your teeth in position. It’s not uncommon for teeth to shift naturally throughout our lives, but regular retainer use will prevent this.
Visit Horsham Smiles for Invisalign
If you’d like to begin your Invisalign journey, get in touch with Horsham Smiles today. Our team will be happy to answer any enquiries and set up your initial consultation. You’ll soon be saying goodbye to your crooked teeth once and for all!
