Our Guide for Invisalign®
This guide is meant to help you adjust to life with Invisalign® and ensure the success of your treatment. Getting through the first week is a big milestone — you will likely experience some soreness and irritation from your new plastic 🙂 The information below will guide you through the process. Our team is also here to help you through your entire orthodontic journey. You got this!
- During the first 48 hours after starting treatment, we recommend taking Acetaminophen (Tylenol), if no allergy exists. If that isn’t taking the edge off, you can also take Ibuprofen (Advil). Alternating between the two can provide added relief as well!
- You will need to wear your aligners at least 20 hours per day. Delays in treatment progress will occur if aligners are worn for less than 20 hours per day. If this occurs, you will need to wear the current aligners for another day or two before changing to the next set.
- You will change your aligners every 7 days, unless otherwise prescribed.
- Your treatment will likely include multiple stages or sets of aligners. At the beginning of each stage, we provide all of the aligners within that set. We still see Invisalign® patients for appointments about every 3 months. It is critical for both the success of your treatment, as well as the health of your teeth, bone, and gums, that you continue to attend these appointments so that we may monitor your treatment and make adjustments as needed.
- You will notice that some aligner pouches have a large, orange HOLD sticker on them. Do not wear that aligner or any after that number until we have seen you for an appointment and can determine next steps.
- Using the provided Chewies® every time you put in the aligners ensures they fit well and treatment remains on track.
- You will also use the Chewies® for at least two 5-minute sessions every day to help encourage your teeth to move:
- Bite and squeeze as tight as you can for 3 seconds with the Chewies® between your back molars on one side, and repeat tooth-by-tooth across the arch until you reach the 5-minute mark.
- This protocol does more than make sure the aligners fit tightly against your teeth. It stimulates the bone around the teeth and encourages it to remodel, which is required for tooth movement.
- Outside of hitting your 20 hours of daily wear, this is the #1 thing that will ensure you achieve your desired treatment outcome and keep you on track for treatment.
- When you transition to new aligners and confirm that they fit well, throw away the previously worn aligners to avoid any potential confusion or backwards progress.
- If one of your aligners gets lost or broken, change to the next set of aligners and wear them for 2 weeks. Then proceed with weekly changes, as previously prescribed.
- You will also use the Chewies® for at least two 5-minute sessions every day to help encourage your teeth to move:It is common to include elastics (tiny rubber bands) as part of your treatment plan. These allow us to make necessary adjustments to your bite. As a patient, wearing these whenever you have is one of the other primary things you can do to ensure success during your treatment. Not only does it allow you to achieve the best outcome possible, it is something you can do to speed up your treatment.
- If one of your attachments breaks or becomes loose, please contact our office so we may make arrangements to correct the issue. If you arrive for a regular appointment with something broken or loose without having called ahead, the extra time required to correct it may make it necessary to reschedule your appointment.
- You may notice some aligners have a sharp or rough outer edge that can cause irritation. If this occurs, use the provided buffer to gently smooth the rough area on the aligner.
- In general, you may consume all the foods and beverages you are accustomed to; however, aligners must be removed before consuming anything other than water. Before you put your aligners back in, we recommend brushing your teeth and your gums. If that is not possible, rinse with water to help remove any food debris.
- To prevent build-up on your aligners, rinse them with water every time you remove them. If build-up does occur, the aligners can be cleaned with dish soap and a toothbrush.
- It is crucial that you continue your routine dental visits and cleanings with your general dentist during orthodontic treatment. We do not have the equipment in our office to perform routine dental care during your adjustment appointments.
Top 5 things you can do to rock your treatment:
- Attend your regularly scheduled appointments.
- Be diligent with your oral hygiene to keep your teeth healthy.
- Use your Chewies® as recommended above.
- Be compliant with your elastics, if you have them.
- Make sure to #smilelikeyoumeanit 😁.
