Many patients think of their gapped or crooked teeth as ‘just’ aesthetic concerns. However, if they overlap, it can be harder to reach all their surfaces when brushing and flossing, and wider spaces can trap food or leave your gums unprotected. That means dental and bite misalignments can also affect your oral health.
Many dentists offer Invisalign, which many consider to be a more comfortable and discreet alternative to traditional braces, to help straighten smiles. But it’s important to be well-informed before proceeding with this or any service. Continue reading to learn 3 things you should know before getting Invisalign!
#1: Treatment Requires Commitment
Unlike standard orthodontics, which rely on bulky metal brackets and wires that are attached to your enamel for the duration of your treatment timeline, this option uses transparent plastic trays that fit snugly over your arches to shift your teeth. These aligners are completely removable, which means patients don’t have dietary restrictions to follow, and it can be easier to maintain your twice-daily dental hygiene routine.
But you must wear the trays for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting to their starting positions, so you should plan to wear them all day and night except during meals and cleanings.
#2: You Might Feel Sore
Although the smooth material of Invisalign is unlikely to cut the tender tissues inside your mouth like traditional braces often do, it’s important to remember than any service that exerts enough pressure over your teeth to move them has the potential to cause aches.
For example, it’s normal to feel tender when you start wearing a new set of trays because it can take a little while for your teeth and gums to adjust to their different dimensions. Usually, any associated aches fade on their own after a couple of days, and you can often help reduce symptoms with over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
#3: You May Need Attachments
Historically, these plastic trays were used to address more minor concerns while braces were still often required for more complex cases or severely crooked or gapped teeth. However, thanks to Invisalign attachments, many providers today are able to recommend this service for a variety of issues, including malocclusions, such as an overbite, underbite, or crossbite.
These attachments consist of small ‘buttons’ made of clear or tooth-colored composite resin that are bonded to your enamel and provide an additional anchor for the clear trays. This improves their grip so they can be used to help with a wider variety of misalignments. Then, they can be easily removed after your treatment is complete.
If you have additional questions about what to expect from Invisalign, you can learn more by contacting your dentist’s office directly!
About the Practice
At Peabody Smile Design, you and your loved ones benefit from a team of dentists who are passionate about helping families build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Shah, Dr. Kashyap, and Dr. Manoukian collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services, including Invisalign, to meet the needs of people of all ages. They take the time to get to know your unique concerns and goals, then use advanced technology to customize a treatment plan to address them. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (978) 278-5478.