People who are considering treatment from their orthodontist in Hampshire with Invisalign will have lots of questions about how it works and how to get the best possible results.
Invisalign, sometimes misspelt as ‘Invisaline’, is a popular method of straightening the teeth with patients of all ages and backgrounds. Here at Winchester Orthodontics, we strive to ensure that each and every one of our patients receives tailor made care from start to finish; with all questions and queries addressed as and when they come up.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is chosen by many after having a consultation with the orthodontist in Hampshire. It is a treatment for improving the appearance of teeth that are misaligned by using clear plastic trays or aligners.
One of the main reasons it is chosen by so many is the fact that Invisalign is a very discreet means of improving the smile. It is not necessarily obvious to outsiders that the patient is having any treatment, which means that people often feel more confident at work, at home and in social situations.
How to get the best from invisible braces
Firstly, we encourage our patients to keep on top of their prescribed plan regarding their aligners. They need to be changed at regular intervals to allow progress to be made regarding the movement of the teeth. It’s simply a case of following the advice given regarding the changing of the trays; and we are happy to answer any questions regarding this.
Invisalign braces have the great advantage of being removable, however, it is important not to be complacent about this. They should be worn for the majority of time every day if the patient wishes to see good results at the end of the treatment period.
We advise against eating or drinking with the aligners in, so patients should remove them for meal times. Doing so could cause them to become damaged or to have bits of food trapped in the trays. There is also a possibility that the teeth could become stained by, for example, drinking coffee or red wine whilst wearing the aligners. The only exception to this is the consumption of water, which is perfectly safe and encouraged whilst the patient is wearing clear braces.
Keeping clean during aligner treatment
We advise patients to be especially vigilant about maintaining good dental hygiene whilst using Invisalign. This is because any food debris can be trapped and pressed into the teeth and gums by the braces, which increases the risk of bacteria forming and a risk of cavities and other issues. Brushing the teeth thoroughly and flossing before re-insertion after meals is very important. The aligners should also be kept clean, and we can give detailed advice on how best to do this.
What about a retainer?
It is important to wear a retainer on completion of treatment with invisible braces. This allows the patient to maintain the results that have been achieved. If this is not done, the teeth can slip back into the original misaligned position over time. Most people are delighted with their new look, so have no issue with ensuring that their new improved smile stays looking as good as it should!