Living with crooked, gapped, crowded or misaligned teeth can leave you feeling less confident, and it can even affect your interactions with other people. One of the most convenient ways to correct your bite is with Invisalign in Windermere. Read on to learn how the process works and the best practices for caring for your aligners, so you can achieve the smile of your dreams!
What is Invisalign?
The Invisalign process consists of a series of clear plastic trays that are custom-crafted by an official Invisalign lab. The process starts with your dentist capturing bite impressions that will be used to custom-design your aligners using the latest in digital imaging.
Based on your specific smile needs, the professional will develop a treatment plan, which will include the number of aligners you’ll need and a timeline for how long the treatment process will be.
How Invisalign Works
While traditional braces require a visit every four weeks for an adjustment, Invisalign treatment takes a different approach. The aligners are worn in two-week increments, and after that period, they are exchanged for the next set in the series.
To see the best results, though, the following guidelines should be adhered to:
- The aligners should be worn between 20 and 22 hours each day.
- You’ll need to visit your dentist every six weeks so your progress can be monitored.
- It’s also important to remove your aligners before eating or consuming any beverage other than water.
How to Care for Invisalign Aligners
Along with being aware of the guidelines of the Invisalign process, it’s important to know how to care for your aligners. This will ensure they function properly so you can achieve your desired goals.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Bacteria love to gather in tight, warm spaces. Thus, they will quickly collect inside the Invisalign aligners if not addressed. For that reason, every time you remove your aligners, it’s important to clean them and your teeth thoroughly.
This should include brushing and flossing at least two times a day to limit the growth of bacteria. In addition, you should rinse your aligners each time you remove them. You can soak them using Invisalign cleaning crystals or denture cleaner. Then, after a thorough rinse, you can reinsert them.
Safe Storage
Along with keeping your aligners clean, it’s important to store them correctly. Thus, whenever you’re transporting them, they should be kept in their designated container. It’s also vital they remain in a climate-controlled environment to prevent any warping or cracking.
By following these guidelines, your smile plan will stay on track, and you’ll soon have a dazzling set of teeth for the world to see!
About the Author
Dr. Matthew McKissock earned his dental degree from the University of Florida’s College of Dentistry. A life-long learner, he has also received postgraduate training from the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. Because of his commitment to excellence, Dr. McKissock has also earned the distinction of Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. He creates beautiful smiles with Invisalign aligners, and he can be reached for more information through his website.
