Your Guide To Invisalign
Waterford, Norwich, & Groton, CT
How Do I Care For My Aligners?
Adopting a consistent oral hygiene routine is the most important thing you can do when caring for your
Invisalign clear aligners. Simply clean and floss your teeth and lightly brush the aligners before replacing them after every meal. Proper oral hygiene prevents food from being lodged behind the aligners and safeguards the teeth from future oral hygiene problems.
Always put your aligners in the case we provide you with at the beginning of your treatment. Our professionals at OASECT will provide you with more detailed advice and guidance on how to take care of your aligners.
How Often Do I Need To Wear My Aligners?
Drs. O’Leary and Hack recommend wearing your Invisalign aligners for a minimum of 22 hours each day. Essentially, you are wearing your aligners all the time, except for when you are eating or drinking.
If you are in any contact sports, such as wrestling or football, you can also remove your aligners during your practices and games, but you need to replace them immediately afterward.
How Long Does Treatment Last?
Typically, Invisalign treatment lasts between 12 and 24 months. However, the length of time you must wear the
aligners will vary depending on the severity of your dental issues. For example, if your teeth are only slightly misaligned, you may not need to wear the aligners as long as someone whose teeth are more seriously misaligned. In general, however, the majority of individuals may anticipate wearing the aligners for at least a year before completing treatment. Upon completion of treatment, you will have a straighter, more uniform smile that you will be excited about!
What Happens After Treatment?
Patients who have finished their Invisalign treatment will need to continue wearing a retainer in order to preserve their new, beautiful smile. However, many patients can get away with merely wearing a clear retainer at night. Our orthodontists will recommend the type of retainer you will need, depending on the specifics of your case.
Patients who have completed their Invisalign treatment should continue to visit Dr. O’ Leary and Dr. Hack for routine exams to ensure that their teeth continue to remain in the correct position. If your teeth begin to shift out of place after your orthodontic treatment, you may need to return to the office for occasional adjustments or touch-ups. However, with proper care and maintenance, the results of Invisalign treatment can last a lifetime.
Is Invisalign Right For Me?
The answer can depend on the details of your particular situation. In most circumstances, Invisalign works well for addressing mild to moderate cases of malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth). Invisalign is a perfect solution for people who lead busy lives, do not want to be restricted in their eating habits or sports, and don’t want to wear conspicuous orthodontic treatment.
Ultimately, consulting with Drs. O’Leary and Hack, who can evaluate your unique circumstance and provide you with expert guidance, is the most effective method to determine if Invisalign is the correct orthodontic treatment option for you.
