One of the more common treatment choices these days for both our adult and teenage patients is Invisalign. For those of us that have missed the craze and aren't familiar with what Invisalign entails, it's an orthodontic treatment that uses no brackets or wires to move teeth, only clear, removable alignment trays, giving patients the healthy beautiful smile they want without the look of braces.
If you are interested in Invisalign and curious about what you can expect in that first week, we've outlined what the first week of treatment looks like for an Invisalign patient.
Speaking With Invisalign Aligners
In order for treatment to be effective, you must wear your aligners for 20-22 hours each day. Initially, it will take some time to adjust to having these trays in your mouth and you will notice that your speech might be slightly affected when you try to say certain words or you might even have a small lisp. Rest assured, this is completely normal and speaking with aligners in your mouth will just take a little practice.
There Will Be Some Discomfort
The aligners are designed to gently shift your teeth, so the pressure needed to accomplish this will cause some discomfort. The good news is that the discomfort felt in the first week typically subsides as you get used the aligners moving your teeth. Slight discomfort isn't uncommon when you get a new set of aligners during treatment, but the first week is usually the worst of it.
Inserting and Removing Invisalign
Believe it or not properly inserting and removing the aligners can be challenging at first. It won't be long before you do it without even thinking about it, but as you get used to popping them in and out for eating, brushing or any other reason, it will take some thoughtful steps to remove and then insert the trays back into place.
First you want to make sure you have the correct aligners-one for your upper teeth and one for your lower teeth-although it does not matter which tray you insert first. You will push the tray over the front part of your teeth and then, applying equal pressure with fingertips, push on the back part of the trays to snap over your molars. It is important to never bite your aligners into place.
To remove, you will start on one side of your mouth using your fingertip on the inside of your back molar. Pull the tray away, slowly and repeat on the other side. Once the tray is completely removed from the molars, you should be able to gentle remove from your teeth.
Properly Cleaning Your Aligners
Starting a cleaning routine for your Invisalign aligners is key in the first week. Gently brush your aligners every time you brush and floss your teeth. As these trays are in contact with your teeth most of the day, keeping them fresh and clean is instrumental to your oral health, so make it a part of your daily routine.
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation in Las Vegas
If you have any questions about what to expect from Invisalign treatment or Invisalign cost, please don't hesitate to contact the UNLV Orthodontic Clinic. Our team is proud to provide our community with healthier smiles at prices and plans they can afford. If you would like to schedule your initial consultation, please give us a call or request an appointment online. We have two convenient locations in Las Vegas and look forward to meeting you!