Getting braces is like anything new – you don’t really know what to expect until you’re wearing the orthodontics yourself. If you want to get a general idea of what it will be like living with Invisalign, though, the following points will touch on the biggest facets of life, including when and how you live, work, and play.
You Will Not Look Different
Invisalign aligners really are very thin and clear. They’re difficult to see at any time, so you will still look just like yourself in person, online, or in photos. If you need attachments on your teeth – small, composite dots that anchor the trays in place – they make Invisalign slightly more visible because they stick out from your teeth.
Your Speech Might Be Temporarily Altered
You might have a small lisp as you get used to the first set of trays. The clear aligners are slim but they are a physical presence in your mouth that temporarily affects the sounds you make. Just keep talking and any lisp will disappear quickly.
You Can Eat Whatever You Want
Living with braces can feel limiting because there are restrictions about eating certain foods while sporting brackets and wires. Living with Invisalign, however, is much easier. There are no food restrictions. If your tender teeth can handle it, dig into whatever foods you want – just make sure you brush and floss your teeth well before putting teeth and trays back together.
You Could Ruin Your Aligners
Invisalign aligners are clear and hardly noticeable, but if you make a habit of drinking coffee or cola while wearing the trays or if you regularly snack with the aligners in place, eventually they will become discolored and smell bad. Sure, you only wear each pair of aligners for about two weeks, but that’s plenty of time to find yourself with damaged or foul-smelling trays.
You Will Treasure Bedtime
Living with Invisalign means making the treatment work for you. For many patients, that means switching to new trays at bedtime so the worst of the pressure exerted by new trays occurs while you sleep. Invisalign does great work as you rest because the trays aren’t disturbed for a good six to eight hours at a time.
You Must Clean Your Trays
No one wants one more obligation in their life, but cleaning Invisalign aligners isn’t all that demanding. If you are diligent about cleaning your teeth and trays, it will keep your treatment on track. Simply soak the trays as instructed and clean them – and your teeth – as often as possible throughout the day. Ideally, right after meals. This keeps your trays clean and your mouth clean and reduces the likelihood of any cavities developing during Invisalign treatment.
You Will Notice a Change Quickly
Perhaps one of the most exciting things about living with Invisalign is that you realize quickly just how worthwhile this treatment is. You’ll notice a change in the position of your teeth around weeks two to four, and your smile will only get better from there. You’ll feel great about your teeth and yourself. Find out if you’re a good candidate. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Charmaine Johnson at Premier Smile Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
