Two-thirds of Australian adults aren’t confident in their smiles. Are you one of them?
Everyone deserves a smile that they love to show off. Even if your smile is healthy and clean, many Australians choose to enhance their appearance to increase their confidence—one popular method of straightening your teeth involves Invisalign clear aligners.
This article discusses if Invisalign clear aligners are right for you, things to consider when choosing and how to prepare for Invisalign treatment. Read on to learn more.
Decide if Invisalign is a Good Option for You
Invisalign clear aligners are an increasingly popular form of orthodontic treatment, and for a good reason. Many adults and older teens recognize the benefits of Invisalign clear aligners as a potential alternative to traditional metal braces.
There’s nothing wrong with traditional metal braces, but clear aligners can be a better option for many patients.
Why? They’re more subtle than most other options, as lingual (metal) braces can be painful and tend to be visually noticeable. Like other forms of orthodontic treatments, you can expect some mild discomfort associated with the Invisalign clear aligner treatment process in the early stages of treatment as your teeth begin to move. Still, most people find it more comfortable than any alternatives due to the lack of wires.
Also, you don’t have to modify your diet to get Invisalign. You can continue eating your favourite foods as long as you remove your aligners before your meal and replace them later. Invisalign also works relatively quickly and is now comparable to and often more affordable than traditional braces.
But how do you know if Invisalign clear aligners are the right option for you? Here are a few indicators to help you decide.
You Prioritize Subtlety
People who are good candidates for Invisalign think that subtlety is key. For example, they want to move their teeth without using highly visible metal wires and rubber bands.
Remember that you may still need subtle attachment points when you get Invisalign, but they’re far less visible than the ones you’d have with metal braces. They’re often not visible unless someone is looking at you close-up.
How quickly orthodontic treatment can align a person’s teeth depends on the severity of their dental and facial issues, so an in-person consultation is essential.
Typically, the first consultation a person has with their treating dentist will give them an understanding of what is needed and provide them with a treatment plan. Invisalign clear aligners are typically faster than traditional metal braces as it works slightly differently. Invisalign slowly aligns all teeth simultaneously, unlike metal braces which apply pressure on misaligned teeth. All things being equal, here is a rough estimate of the time for treatment:
- Invisalign often requires 7 to 18 months;
- Metal braces often require 20-24 months.
There’s even a version of Invisalign (Lite) that can be effective in as little as 7-weeks for suitable candidates. Obviously, the length of treatment is determined by the patient’s needs, so all cases require individualised treatment plans and in-person consultation with your treating dentist.
The more crooked your teeth or complex the orthodontic issues, the longer Invisalign will take, so there is a wider timeframe than braces. It is also important to note that one of the challenges with Invisalign is the discipline it requires.
Invisalign must be worn at least 20-22 hours daily to be effective. If this does not happen, treatment will take longer, even in cases that are not very complex.
You’re Responsible
This is key. You must be responsible and use your Invisalign clear aligners to benefit from Invisalign. This is one reason many orthodontists and dentists prefer to give children and young teenagers traditional braces, where compliance can be more challenging.
Once you get in the habit of wearing your Invisalign aligners, it’ll quickly become second nature. After that, it’s simply a matter of habit forming through repetition.
As we mentioned, you must remove your aligners whenever you eat or drink. A discrete Invisalign carry case is provided to ensure you never lose them.
It would be best if you also brushed your teeth as soon as possible after every meal to prevent bacteria from staying in the aligners pressed against your smile.
If all of these things seem easy to you (trust us, you get used to it quickly), then you may be an excellent candidate for Invisalign clear aligners!
Your Teeth Need Mild to Moderate Correction
In 2022, more than 14 million people worldwide elected to have had Invisalign clear aligners. This reflects their growing popularity, and with continual investments in technology, it’s easy to understand why they are becoming ever more popular and more effective than ever at correcting many common orthodontic problems. From crowding to bite-related issues, Invisalign can handle almost any orthodontic concern.
However, serious cases may still require traditional metal braces from an orthodontist instead. The only way you’ll know for sure is by visiting a dentist or orthodontist so they can assess your situation.
Schedule a Consultation
If you think that you’ll be a good candidate for Invisalign, it’s time to work on scheduling an Invisalign appointment.
Your first appointment is going to be a consultation. During this consultation, your treating dentist will review your dental health history and clarify what you’re trying to achieve. Then, the dental health professional will do an x-ray to assess your current orthodontic situation.
They will also discuss whether or not Invisalign is a suitable option for you and tell you how much your treatment will cost in a treatment plan. They’ll also discuss how Invisalign works so you can make sure it’s right for you.
After you’ve decided it’s a good option, they’ll take a digital scan of your mouth and send those scans to Invisalign so they can start working on a treatment plan.
Unlike traditional braces, you may have to wait a couple of weeks to receive your aligners as they are custom-made, so the wait is worthwhile.
Prepare for Your Invisalign Aligners Appointment
After several weeks, you’ll return to the dentist and get your aligners. How should you prepare for this appointment?
First, your dental team will provide the actual aligners, provide instructions on usage and go over what’s required to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment plan.
You’ll want to have something to chew on, at least in the early stages. “Chewies,” as they’re called, will help ease discomfort and help you set your new aligners in place.
During your first few days of treatment, you can expect some mild discomfort as your teeth begin to adjust to re-aligned, so consider preparing soft foods ahead of time.
The dental health professional may need to place attachments during this first appointment. This can take a while, so prepare for a longer appointment of around 60 to 90 minutes.
Keep Invisalign Care in Mind
Invisalign doesn’t require a lot of extra work, but there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, you’ll need to clean your aligners regularly. We recommend doing this while you eat at least once per day. You should always rinse your aligners if cleaning them isn’t an option at the time.
Make sure to store your aligners in a case when possible. This keeps them safe from harm. If you lose your initial Invisalign case, you can purchase any retainer case as a replacement.
It’s Time to Prepare for Invisalign Treatment
Are you ready to prepare for Invisalign treatment?
Getting Invisalign is exciting. You’re well on your way to a superstar smile that you’ll love to show off. The process can be uncomfortable, but the minor discomfort is worth it.
We want to meet you if you’re ready to start Invisalign treatment! Contact us to schedule a consultation today so you can begin your path toward a straighter smile.
