How Often Do You Need to Wear Invisalign Aligners?
Clear aligners only move your teeth while you are wearing them. For treatment to progress as planned, they generally need to be worn for most of the day and night.
The aligners are removed when eating and drinking anything other than water, as well as when brushing and flossing. Your dental provider will give you specific instructions for daily wear.
Consistently wearing your aligners as directed is one of the most important parts of successful Invisalign treatment.
What Are Invisalign Attachments?
Some tooth movements require additional help from small tooth-coloured shapes called attachments. These are temporarily bonded to selected teeth and give the aligners a better surface to push or pull against.
The number, shape, and location of attachments depend on the movements required. Not everyone needs the same attachments, and some patients may not need them at all.
Attachments are removed when they are no longer required.
Eating and Caring for Your Teeth With Invisalign
One advantage of removable aligners is that there are fewer restrictions on what you can eat compared with fixed braces. Simply remove your aligners before eating and put them back in after you have finished and cleaned your teeth as directed.
Because the aligners are removable, you can continue brushing and flossing your teeth without working around brackets and wires.
The aligners themselves also need regular cleaning. Your dental team can explain how to clean and store them without damaging or distorting the material.
What Happens After Invisalign Treatment?
Keeping your teeth in their new positions is an important part of orthodontic treatment. Teeth naturally have a tendency to shift over time, even after they have been successfully straightened.
Retainers are generally recommended after Invisalign treatment to help maintain your results. Your provider will explain what type of retainer you need and how often it should be worn.
Following your retention plan helps protect the time and effort you have invested in straightening your teeth.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
Invisalign can be an effective option for many teenagers and adults, but suitability depends on more than simply wanting straighter teeth.
Your bite, the movements your teeth require, your oral health, and your ability to wear the aligners consistently all need to be considered.
An assessment can determine whether Invisalign is appropriate or whether another orthodontic approach would provide a more predictable result.
Find Out if Invisalign Is Right for Your Smile
Clear aligner treatment can straighten teeth without traditional brackets and wires, but the right orthodontic treatment depends on your teeth, bite, and treatment goals.
Contact our dental team to schedule an Invisalign assessment and learn whether clear aligners may be an appropriate option for you.
