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What is Invisalign and treatment process- Caring for the Aligners?

February 4, 2019 Orthodontics tools

Invisalign:

Invisalign is the latest technology which can straighten misaligned teeth and no one will notice that they are there. It is much more comfortable than having conventional braces with no worries of breaking wires or brackets. They are removable so you can brush and floss as per usual.

As there is a limit for such a technology, with complicated misalign teeth that cannot be treated effectively with Invisalign, there are traditional braces.

Treatment process:

There are different packages as to how many aligners would be needed for the treatment. This will be assessed at a consultation appointment to determine if you will be suitable for them and which package will best suit you to achieve the desired result.

Once the process has started, you would wear a set of aligners for one to two weeks as prescribed by the dentist. Also, having a check up every six to eight weeks to check on the progress.

When wearing each set of new aligners, you can feel a little pressure or discomfort for the first few days, as this is normal and your teeth will adjust to them.

Caring for the aligners:

Getting the best result, the aligners should be worn 20 to 22 hours a day, they should be taken off when you eat and any drinks that can stain such as coffee, tea or wine. After eating, just brush your teeth and put it back on.

The aligners should be rinsed and brushed gently with your toothbrush every night to keep with fresh and clean.

Brace:

As the same as mentioned above, there should be an assessment for braces and the dentist will discuss the length of treatment. The visits can be every 4-8 weeks depending on the progress of the treatment.

  Types of braces:

• Metal braces/ traditional braces: these have metal brackets and wires, these are the least expensive type, however the most noticeable.
• Ceramic braces: they are the same size and shape as metal braces, however the brackets will be tooth-coloured or clear to blend in with the teeth and the wires also can be tooth-coloured as well.
• Lingual braces: these are the same as the traditional metal braces, however the brackets and wires are placed on the inside of teeth. They are invisible from the outside which is a plus to having them.

Caring for braces:

It is important to know how to take care of them as it will make them more comfortable and effective. Having a good brushing technique is paramount, especially when having braces, as it is much easier to have pieces of food and plaque getting trapped in the brackets and can cause problems such as decay. It is recommended to brush after every meal, so make sure you keep a spare toothbrush and toothpaste handy in your bag.

Along with brushing, flossing is important to as it will help to remove plaque and food that get stuck in between your teeth. If you find it difficult to floss with flossing tape. There are other options such as super floss or interdental brushes, which can be found at the chemist or supermarket.