Roughly nine in 10 people worldwide have teeth that are slightly misaligned. For many of them, misalignment is caused by wisdom teeth emerging into a mouth that’s already packed with teeth. The result is teeth pushing up against one another, competing for space.
Lucky for them, modern dental care has come up with a variety of options to correct each person’s teeth and bite. Some are more permanent, like braces. Others, like Invisalign, offer more customization and versatility.
If you’re looking for Invisalign near me, here are some tips that can help with the treatment.
Find the Right Orthodontist
The very first step is to find the best orthodontist services in your area and set up a consultation with them. You want to find someone qualified who is going to stick around throughout your entire treatment.
Search for an orthodontist who has experience working with Invisalign and can cater to your specific needs.
You can look at online reviews to see what past patients have said about an orthodontist’s services. Some of the most important comments may touch on:
- Cleanliness
- Professionalism
- Wait times
- Staff friendliness
- Billing concerns
- Problems with treatments or procedures
You may also want to find a location that offers affordable Invisalign financing plans if you’re concerned about affording treatment.
Commit to Wearing Your Aligners Daily
Invisalign clear aligners are different than braces in that you won’t have them semi-permanently bonded to your teeth. However, they will require you to wear them throughout the day, unlike with a normal retainer.
For the best results, expect to wear your aligners for about 20 hours every day. Removing them for extended periods of time could delay your progress.
The only times you should take them off are when you’re eating, brushing, or flossing your teeth. After meals, you’ll want to clean your teeth thoroughly before replacing the aligners.
Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene
The problem with wearing aligners all day is that it’s easy for bacteria and food particles to get trapped. Trapped bacteria can lead to dental issues that can slow down your treatment and erode your teeth and gums.
As such, you’ll want to brush your teeth after every meal before registering your aligners. Floss daily to remove plaque between your teeth. It’s also important to clean your aligners every night to keep them clear and prevent food buildup inside of them.
Add regular cleanings with your dentist when you visit them for checkups.
Change Aligners as Recommended
Even though patients wear Invisalign aligners most of the day, they do have an expiration date. Your orthodontist should instruct you to change your aligners every one to two weeks.
Each set is made to gradually move your teeth. Replacing them too early can cause unnecessary strain. Too late, and you delay the treatment progression.
Some patients may qualify for accelerated Invisalign treatments. However, it all depends on your teeth and what your orthodontist recommends.
Use “Chewies” for Good Aligner Fit
Many orthodontists consider Chewies as an essential part of the Invisalign treatment. These are small, cylindrical foam tools that can help improve the fit of your aligners.
New aligners often won’t fit snugly against your teeth right away. Biting down on chewies for a few minutes every day can help them fit better and provide the right amount of pressure on your teeth.
You can think of them as fine-tuning instruments you can use at home. They’re easy to carry around, and you may find your treatment works much quicker and more smoothly with their use.
Monitor Your Treatment
Monitoring your treatment isn’t a necessary part of the treatment process, but it can help raise your confidence and address any of your concerns.
Take photos of your smile at the very beginning of your treatment. Capture new ones at regular intervals, such as when you switch to a new set of aligners. Many patients find it encouraging to see the progress, even if they dislike the routine of wearing aligners every day.
By the time you’re halfway through your treatment, your teeth will have moved enough for you to notice a distinct difference. The total length of the treatment may take as little as six months for minor adjustments. Major ones may require upwards of two years.
Follow-Up With Your Orthodontist
Follow-up appointments are crucial throughout the Invisalign treatment process. Even though you won’t need to see your orthodontist often, they’ll need to assess your progress. More specifically, they will check that your teeth are shifting as planned and if they should make any adjustments.
Never skip your appointments. Even if you think you’ll save money by avoiding visits, you may cause costly delays or corrections later on. It’s also important to stay in touch with your orthodontist if you feel any kind of pain or odd sensations in your teeth.
Use a Retainer When Treatment Ends
Even when your Invisalign treatment is over, you’ll still need to rely on retainers to maintain your new smile. Without a retainer, your teeth can gradually shift back to their original position. In a matter of months, your teeth can undo much of the progress you’ve made.
A retainer holds your teeth in place after treatment. The good thing about them is that you only need to wear them at night while you sleep. They’re much easier to incorporate into your routine than aligners.
Your orthodontist can help make a retainer for you to use at home. There are also plenty of over-the-counter options to make your own.
Find Invisalign Near Me
A quick online search for “Invisalign near me” will show you all your local orthodontists who offer their services. That’s the easy part of this process. The hard part is keeping up with the new routine, making all your office visits, and accepting retainers when it’s all done.
Sing Orthodontics has two Texas locations in Round Rock and Lakeway for anyone seeking dental care. Our services will cover your family from ages 7 and up.
Contact us and check out one of our locations to set up your first Invisalign consultation.
