What You Should Know If You Are Thinking About Getting Invisalign

If you are in need of some orthodontic work and are weighing your options, you may be pondering the possibility of getting Invisalign. Invisalign is an option that can help you get straighter and better aligned teeth, much like traditional braces can offer. The difference, of course, is that Invisalign is not actually attached to your teeth and you can use them without most people even noticing they are there. Learn more of the basic facts about Invisalign and how this product may be able to help you with your orthodontic needs. Then, you can best decide if Invisalign is the right choice for you. 

You Do Need to Wear Invisalign for at Least 22 Hours a Day

One of the facts that you should keep in mind about Invisalign is that while they are removable, you do still need to wear the devices at least 22 hours per day for them to be effective. You will also need to take them out when you are eating and drinking. This means, essentially, that the only time you should not be wearing your Invisalign trays is when you are eating, drinking, and brushing/flossing your teeth. 

If you do not wear your Invisalign trays on this schedule, you will not get the desired results from those trays. This will basically make the time you did spend wearing them pointless. So, be sure you wear them at all times other than the aforementioned exceptions. 

Your Aligners Are Customized to You

No two sets of teeth are exactly alike. Because of this, your Invisalign trays will be custom fit to your mouth. Your dentist and orthodontist will take several scans and molds of your mouth and teeth. Then, they will create a model for how they are going to get your teeth from the starting point to the straightened and aligned end result. After this, your orthodontist will create your Invisalign trays.

Your Aligners Will Change Every Few Weeks

The process of moving and straightening teeth is a gradual one. While braces need to be tightened periodically, Invisalign trays need to be changed out every two weeks or so. The idea is that the initial trays will begin moving your teeth to their final position and then the subsequent trays will continue to push them into the correct place. 

You cannot force teeth to shift all at once as this can cause irreparable damage to the teeth and gums, but a slow and gradual shift is possible, and is what orthodontic products like Invisalign endeavor to accomplish. 

Now that you know some of the important facts about Invisalign, you can contact your orthodontist to get the process started as soon as possible.