Treatment time and number of aligners vary with the difficulty of each case. You will receive additional sets of aligners at every visit. Wear the aligners as instructed to avoid inferior or compromised treatment results. 20-22 hours of daily wear is imperative to the success of your treatment and results.
Keys for a Successful Invisalign Treatment
Treatment Time
Treatment Progress
You will change your aligners at home approximately every 7 or 10 days as instructed by Dr. G. Most patients will come for regular appointments approximately every 2-3 months.
What to Expect at your Appointments
We will check to see how your aligners are fitting and make sure that your teeth movements are tracking properly. Please wear your current aligner to your appointment.
Initial Aligner Tightness
When a new aligner is placed, it is typically tight for the first 24-48 hours. After this period, the aligners may “seem” loose, but still need to be worn for the prescribed time. Over-the-counter pain medication can be taken if needed for discomfort. Consider changing to your new aligner in the evening.
Cleaning your Aligners
Aligners can easily be cleaned with a soft bristle toothbrush and liquid dish soap (we recommend Dawn). A few drops of vinegar in water may also help keep them crystal clear. Most over-the-counter denture cleaners are also very effective. Using toothpaste is not recommended as it will scratch the aligners!
Aligners in the Case
While you are eating or brushing your teeth, make sure to keep your aligners in the case. If you wrap them in a napkin while eating, the aligners are very likely to be forgotten or thrown away. Also, if you set the aligner on the counter, pets think they are wonderful chew toys and will likely chew the aligner.
Storing your Previous Aligners
Sometimes it is necessary to go back and use a previous aligner, so DO NOT throw any of the aligners away. Store all used aligners out of the heat, and preferably cleaned and in the original numbered baggie corresponding with the correct aligner.
Attachments
Sometimes an attachment, a small bump of tooth-colored material, is placed on the tooth. The attachments help the aligner “grab” and move the tooth more efficiently. Attachments do not harm the teeth and are polished off at the end of treatment.
Slenderizing
In some treatment cases, it is necessary to contour the enamel between certain teeth for a better result. This painless procedure is done quickly and does not harm the teeth. As treatment continues, the teeth will be moved into a new position, and the contact between your teeth will be restored and more stable.
What if I lose my Aligners
If an aligner is lost or broken, you should contact the office immediately. Normally, you will be instructed to move to the next aligner. If the next aligner doesn’t fit, then wear the previous aligner and contact the office at 281-392-0888 for further instructions.
Invisalign Care Instructions
Spreading the Word about Invisalign
Our goal is to improve your smile while making the process pleasant. Dr. Gutierrez and KCC Orthodontics are achieving excellent results with Invisalign, even in very challenging cases. As we accomplish this, we are confident that you will want to share our office with your friends.
If you would like to share your experience with others, we would love to hear from you.