Thinking about taking advantage of the “no-show” clear, Invisalign aligners to straighten your teeth and achieve that beautiful smile you’ve always desired? We’ve been providing Invisalign treatment to patients of Mack and Cincinnati for more than a decade. As an orthodontic specialist, patients trust Dr. Martinez to successfully treat with Invisalign, braces and other orthodontic appliances successfully.
It’s important to note that Invisalign isn’t right for everyone, and Dr. Martinez will complete a thorough examination to ensure it’s an effective treatment option for you. Here are 10 things to keep in mind about Invisalign:
1. The 22-Hour Rule
This is the key to success when it comes to Invisalign treatments. Aligner trays must be worn at least 22 hours of EVERY 24-hour day. If you only take them out to eat and clean them at the same time you brush your teeth, you’ll be on your way to a successful treatment.
2. Speech Adjustment
Even though others may not actually see or notice Invisalign, your friends and family may still notice a little difference in the way you speak with your aligners in. You might develop a small lisp in your speech until you have a chance to wear them and adjust to having them in your mouth.
3. Invisalign Isn’t For Everyone
When you come in to our Cincinnati office for your free, new patient consultation, Dr. Martinez will evaluate your individual orthodontic needs to determine if Invisalign is the right treatment for you. If you have complex orthodontic challenges, traditional braces may be a better option for you.
4. Invest In A Travel Toothbrush Kit
One of the new routines you will have to get used to is taking out your aligners when you eat, then brushing before replacing them. It will be important that you have clean teeth and clean aligners each time you put your aligners back in to avoid bacteria buildup which can lead to plaque. Pack a toothbrush and toothpaste in a kit and take it everywhere you go. Keep an extra kit in your car, purse or backpack as a backup.
5. Beware of Staining Foods
Just like your teeth, there are some foods and drinks that can stain your aligners. Drinks like red wine, coffee and tea have harsh acids and can color your clear aligners. Some candies and even some spices, like turmeric, can lead to aligner staining. Drink water anytime, but be sure you remove your aligners before drinking certain beverages.
6. The Alternative Benefit
Even if you weren’t planning to diet, you may find your time with Invisalign the beginning of a healthier you. Since you have to remove your Invisalign aligners, clean them and brush each time you eat something, you may be more inclined to skip that late-night treat stop at Aroma’s Java and Gelato in Mack or that mid-day snack at the Cincinnati QT.
7. Enjoy The Comfort
With Invisalign, you not only straighten your teeth without most people knowing, you will also experience more comfort than with traditional braces. While there is still some discomfort when you change to a new set of aligners, you won’t have the pain often associated with the tightening of brackets and wires on traditional braces. You also don’t have the potential for metal wires poking your cheeks or rubber bands to deal with.
8. Clean With Care
Dr. Martinez recommends a mild detergent for cleaning the aligners on a daily basis to his Cincinnati patients. For a deeper cleaning, you can try a weekly cleaning regime of denture cleaning tablets. While it’s tempting to use toothpaste to clean your aligners, most toothpastes contain abrasives that can scratch your aligners and make them look yellowed.
9. Be A Patient Patient
Even though Invisalign treatments usually take less time than traditional braces, it still may take a year or longer for the Invisalign transformation to happen. Remember, Dr. Martinez will give you his best estimate on how fast your teeth will respond to the aligner treatment, but sometimes it may take a little longer to perfect your perfect smile.
10. No Regrets
Our Cincinnati and Mack area patients have no regrets about their Invisalign orthodontic experience. Just know that no matter the inconveniences, new routines and eating adjustments, it will be worth the final product - a new beautiful smile that will leave you with confidence.
Get Started with Invisalign Today!
If you have any questions about Invisalign, or our other orthodontic treatment, we’d be happy to assist. Contact us today by calling our Cincinnati office today at (513) 598-9800 to make your first appointment. We look forward to meeting you soon!