Invisalign is a relatively new, state-of-the-art corrective treatment that utilizes custom, thermoplastic aligners molded perfectly to your teeth to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Because the aligners are designed to be clear and fitted to your smile, people will barely notice you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. This flexibility has made them increasingly popular.
Many patients considering braces or Invisalign have questions about the various aspects of Invisalign treatment since it is newer. Our Invisalign FAQ is here to help you decide by answering some of your questions about how this treatment might impact your day-to-day life.
How Do I Care For My Invisalign Aligners?
Luckily, caring for your plastic aligners is extremely easy and similar to caring for your teeth. You can clean your aligners by brushing them with your toothbrush, then rinsing them in lukewarm water. Cleaning your Invisalign helps remove any food or bacteria buildup on the aligners.
Since you should wear your aligners at least 20-22 hours a day for optimal results, neglecting to clean your Invisalign could cause plaque buildup that leads to tooth decay. Therefore, it’s essential to clean your aligners every morning before wearing them and every night before bed. Clean them when brushing your teeth!
Do I Still Need To See My Dentist While I Have Invisalign?
People often confuse the jobs of dentists and orthodontists, but the treatment they provide is very different, and both are crucial to your oral health. Your dentist is focused primarily on oral hygiene, while our orthodontic team at Foothills Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics works to achieve the smile of your dreams. You should continue seeing your dentist during Invisalign treatment, as aligners can accumulate bacteria and cause damaging plaque buildup over time.
Are There Any Food Restrictions With Invisalign?
One of the most attractive features of Invisalign is having no restrictions on what you can eat and drink. Because you must remove your aligners when eating, you can continue to enjoy all your favorite foods.
Although there are no food restrictions with Invisalign, keeping your aligners clean is still a priority. Brush and floss after every meal to avoid food and bacteria buildup in your aligners. Brushing after meals is especially important if you’ve just eaten sticky or crunchy food that could get stuck in your teeth.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Overall, Invisalign treatment is comparable to the cost of braces. Our team at Foothills Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics believes everyone deserves an equal chance at achieving the smile of their dreams.
While Invisalign is busy aligning your teeth, we do our best to align the treatment with your budget. We are committed to working with different insurance providers and creating payment plans to suit all financial needs.
What Happens After Treatment?
Like braces, after your Invisalign treatment, you will need to wear retainers to maintain your new and improved smile. At first, you will need to wear your aligners full-time, but after the first few months, you can switch to wearing them only at night. Failing to do so may cause teeth to shift and negate the changes made to your smile through treatment.