Invisalign was designed to fit seamlessly into a person’s life as a tooth-straightening method that is more user-friendly, efficient, and attractive than conventional braces. Understandably, interested patients have plenty of questions when it comes to this seemingly too-good-to-be-true method of aligning teeth.
Do I have to wear Invisalign all the time?
If you know about Invisalign, you’re aware that the clear aligners used to straighten your teeth are removable. This spells freedom for any braces-wearer. While Invisalign is removed for cleaning, eating meals and snacks, and drinking any beverages besides water, the aligners must be in place the rest of the time – 20 to 22 hours a day – including while you’re sleeping.
Whether you’re working or playing, you can wear Invisalign (teens, too!). They are an alternative to conventional braces, but they do have a job to do, which is to move your certain teeth at certain times to completely align your smile.
How do the aligners feel?
Everyone has their own level of tolerance for discomfort. When you first wear Invisalign, it will feel weird. After all, you will go from having nothing on your teeth to aligners in your mouth all day long. The perk, though, is that they are smooth and snug on your teeth. No chance of snagging lips or cheeks on brackets and aligners like traditional braces.
Will I look weird?
To yourself, you might look a little odd with Invisalign on your teeth. To others, you’ll probably look like you always have. Invisalign is clear so it is difficult to see – that is one of the goals, after all, to have a discreet teeth-straightening method. Once you get used to the aligners on your teeth, you won’t be self-conscious about them anymore. And once you see how quickly your teeth begin to shift into place, you really won’t be self-conscious anymore.
Will I need attachments?
Invisalign attachments are small “bumps” that are temporarily bonded to the teeth to serve as little anchors for the aligners when they’re in your mouth. While not every Invisalign patient needs attachments, many do. The attachments are tooth-colored so they blend in, but they can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Depending on how your teeth need to shift, you could have square, triangular, circular, or rectangular attachments on your teeth.
Do I need a retainer after Invisalign?
No matter what kind of orthodontic treatment you undergo, whether Invisalign or otherwise, you will need a retainer afterward to stabilize your shifted teeth. Moving the roots and crowns of your teeth from one place to another is a big job, and if you want your newly aligned smile to stay straight, you must wear a retainer. Eventually, your Arlington Invisalign provider will recommend nighttime wear only.
Am I a good candidate for Invisalign?
Only your Arlington, Texas, Invisalign provider can say for certain whether you’re a good candidate for this revolutionary alternative to conventional braces. Contact Dr. Alana Macalik in Arlington, Texas, to schedule a consultation or to learn more.