Yes! Invisalign requires almost no changes to your lifestyle because it features aligners that are removable and invisible. You will be able to continue eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing just like you always have.
No, just remember to remove your aligners before you eat.
Yes, the aligners were custom-created to fit your teeth perfectly and their appearance disappears when you wear them. If someone comes very very close to examine your smile, they may notice something especially in areas where a patient has large gaps between the teeth. However, for the most part, nobody will notice you are in treatment.
Progress-check appointments are typically scheduled every eight weeks during treatment.
Over 1 million patients worldwide have used Invisalign.
Invisalign treatment is invisible, removable, effective, fast, and comfortable. When compared to traditional treatment with braces, Invisalign has significant advantages.
When you get braces, life changes. Some of these changes are exciting. Others are annoying, though necessary.
When your braces are placed, some aspects of your life will change. You will be on your way to getting a brand new smile and that’s exciting! However, you will also have to make some important changes to accommodate your new appliances.
To get the best results from your treatment, your appliance needs to remain in working order. To maintain your appliance free of damage, avoid foods that can damage the wires and brackets. If you participate in any sports, ask us about a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth and braces. It is also very important that you brush your teeth and braces after every meal.
You may notice that your teeth feel loose after you have your braces placed. Don’t let this bother you, it is completely normal and expected. As your teeth loosen up, the surrounding bone remodels and allows the teeth to move to their new positions. Once your treatment is completed, you will be prescribed a retainer to allow your bone to grow and harden around the teeth’ new position.
It is relatively common for the wires and bands to become loose. If you notice this, call our office so we can evaluate the status of your appliance and make repairs if needed. If any part of your braces comes off, place it in a plastic bag and bring it with you to your appointment.
If a wire is poking you, we recommend pushing it back gently into place using a spoon. You also might be able to alleviate the discomfort by clipping it carefully. Be sure to call us to schedule an appointment so that we can offer you a permanent solution.
To find out more about what you can expect from a life with braces, schedule a consultation to learn more.
To protect your appliance from damage, you must avoid some foods while you are wearing braces as part of your treatment plan. Making this small sacrifice will maximize the effectiveness of your treatment. Below you will find a list of foods that you should avoid.
Foods to avoid with braces:
Foods you CAN eat with braces:
True orthodontic emergencies are rare occurrences and you can lower the chances of experiencing one by wearing a mouth guard if you participate in any sports. While true emergencies are rare, some situations may feel like an emergency and you should learn the strategies you can implement to manage these situations.
First, If your situation is in fact a real emergency, head to the nearest ER. If your teeth, mouth, gums, or jaw have been injured or suffered direct trauma, go directly to the ER. Once there, you can call our practice for additional support and/or follow-up treatment.
Even if it isn’t a true emergency, call us as soon as you can. Calling us will allow our staff to recommend the best course of action. Our team will advise you on the best way to temporarily fix the situation and schedule an appointment so we can get you into the office to repair your appliance permanently.
When a bracket comes completely off your braces, save it, place it in a plastic bag, and bring it with you to your appointment. If you bring it with you, we will likely be able to put it back on for you without the additional cost of replacement.
Dental wax can be a great prevention tool in the case of irritation and can also be used to hold something in place temporarily, we will be happy to provide you with dental wax at your appointments, just ask.
If you experience irritation, the wax is helpful, but there are some additional techniques you can use. Saltwater rinses and over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to manage irritation and soreness. If the pain is ever too much to handle at home, call us immediately.
If you find a loose wire, you can use a sterilized tool, such as tweezers, to push it back into place. If the wire is poking you, you can take a pair of sterilized nail scissors to clip it or put dental wax over it to stop the irritation.