Does Invisalign® Ever Get Comfortable?
Are you thinking of visiting a dentist near you for orthodontic treatment? If you are not in the know, you are likely to get the traditional metal braces for straightening your teeth. However, you should consider a virtually invisible solution called Invisalign® treatment that achieves similar results without compromising aesthetics.
What Is Invisalign?
It is a dental appliance in orthodontics that straightens and realigns teeth. Invisalign features unique braces compared to traditional metal braces. It features a transparent plastic-like aligner commonly known as invisible braces.
How Does Invisalign Straighten Teeth?
Invisalign treatment works a little differently from other teeth straightening procedures.
First, your dentist at South Hill Dental will take impressions of your teeth to help customize your invisible braces. The dentist will do this per a treatment plan (s)he creates immediately after your dental exam. At this, your orthodontist will have between 30 and 32 trays that will work your treatment.
The role of the clear aligners is to apply controlled pressure on your teeth for a few weeks, then you have to replace them with a new tray. Ideally, change your clear aligners every 4 to 6 months.
Are Clear Aligners Painful?
Whenever you begin orthodontic treatment, discomfort is part of your new life. However, the discomfort you experience with traditional metal braces is dissimilar from when you get invisible braces. Still, a Bolton orthodontist will prepare you to anticipate a little soreness and tenderness in your mouth after beginning your Invisalign treatment. However, the discomfort should not nearly feel like dental pain. If this is your story, visit your dentist for a comprehensive examination that may expose underlying oral complications.
Which Week Does Invisalign Fit the Worst?
The first week of getting Invisalign braces can be difficult. For one, it may feel bulky because of the foreign appliance in your mouth. The discomfort is also evident because the aligners are applying pressure on your teeth to start shifting them. However, this discomfort should only last a few days to a week. After that, your mouth will get used to having Invisalign for the next couple of weeks.
Still, you will have to undergo another first week of discomfort when you replace your initial clear aligners. Ideally, you will need a new tray of invisible braces every six weeks. Therefore, your mouth will experience discomfort every first week of new invisible braces.
How to Survive the First Week of Invisalign?
Once you have committed to orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, there is no going back. The trick is to find tips that will help you survive the first week without regretting your entire decision. Some of the tricks we recommend that can help you survive and enjoy your first week with this line are:
- Remove them when you eat – it is a requirement that you remove your clear braces every time you eat. It is the primary reason why Invisalign braces are removable. Aside from reducing discomfort when you chew food, removing your clear aligner will protect them from damage.
- Wear your aligners throughout – every orthodontist recommends wearing Invisalign braces for between 20 to 22 hours. Ideally, you should only be removing your clear liners when you want to eat. Besides, the longer you wear your aligners, the more you get used to the feeling of having them. Keep track of your wear time so you do not forget to put back on your aligners after removing them to eat.
- Sing and speak normally – the more you use your mouth with Invisalign in place, the quicker you will get used to your new appliances. Do not shy away from singing or speaking simply because it feels uncomfortable. In fact, singing at home will prepare you for speaking publicly without discomfort.
- Apply orthodontic wax – it will help protect your tongue from the abrasiveness of the edges of your trays. This way, as you speak you won’t risk hurting your tongue.
- Maintain a clean mouth – the last thing you need in a lingering oral infection during the first week of your orthodontic treatment. Cleaning your mouth and invisible braces will also contribute to your ease and comfort during the first week and the entire treatment period.