3 Facts You May Not Know About Invisalign

Are metal braces and wires keeping you from getting the smile of your dreams? If this is your case, you don’t have to put off your dream any longer. Invisalign® aligners can straighten your teeth without the hassle of brackets and wires. And to top if off, the aligners are clear, so no one has to know you’re wearing them.

At Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults, you can get these breakthrough aligners and get the smile you desire. Joseph Z. Yousefian, DMD, MS, PS, is an expert at fitting Invisalign aligners.

What are Invisalign aligners?

With Invisalign aligners — which are made of high-grade plastic — you get a number of sets in the beginning of your treatment. Each set is slightly adjusted, and every week or two, you take out one set and replace it with another. By the time you take off your final set, your teeth should be in the desired alignment. Here are three things you may not know about this cutting-edge treatment.

No. 1: Invisalign trays are gentle on your mouth 

Invisalign trays are made from a flexible, thin, and clear plastic called SmartTracK™, which is easy on gums and mouth tissue. These aligners gently nudge teeth into their perfect places.

You remove the trays when you drink, eat, and brush your teeth. While you can take them out for special events, the longer you wear the trays, the quicker you’ll have your gorgeous smile. It is recommended that you wear your aligners 20-22 hours a day

Every 6-8 weeks, you’ll see Dr. Yousefian for a progress check.

No. 2: Invisalign corrects both alignment and bite issues

If you have complicated dental problems, traditional metal braces may be your best bet. But, if your teeth and bite will respond to gentle and consistent pressure, then Invisalign may work for you. Here are conditions that Invisalign can correct:

• Overbites, where upper teeth overlap bottom teeth
• Underbites, where lower teeth overlap upper teeth
• Open bites, where teeth don’t correctly align when your mouth is closed
• Crossbites, where lower and upper dental arches are misaligned
• Crooked teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth

No. 3: You must be gentle with Invisalign trays

Because Invisalign trays are made of thin plastic, you must be careful with them.

Remove your aligners correctly

Before eating and drinking anything but cool water, you should take out your Invisalign trays so they don’t stain or lose their shape. Coffee, tea, and red wine are particularly prone to staining things.

Removing your aligners can be tricky. Be sure to gently remove them from your back molars first, using your fingertips. Work forward, disengaging the aligners from each tooth. Don’t ever yank out your aligners, which can hurt the trays and your mouth.

Encase your aligners

When your aligners aren’t in your mouth, they should be in a protective case. Try to keep the case in the same place, that way you’ll always know where it is and will be more likely to use it.

Keep your aligners clean

To keep your Invisalign aligners plaque- and odor-free, you must clean them properly and often. Here’s how:

• Rinse your aligners with cool water when you remove them
• With a soft-bristle toothbrush, gently brush your aligners each time you brush your teeth 
• Soak your trays in a denture solution or in Invisalign’s cleaning crystals for 15 minutes daily
• Wash your aligners with antibacterial soap occasionally to prevent bacteria buildup

Don’t clean your aligners with hot water, which can change their shape.

To learn more about Invisalign aligners and to see if they can help you, book an appointment online or over the phone with Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults today.