How Do I Get the Most from My Invisalign Treatment? 

The Invisalign system uses plastic aligners to apply controlled pressure on your teeth. Each set is worn for about 7-10 days and then switched to the next set. Your aligners are customized to perfect numerous orthodontic issues, including: 

• Crowded or overlapping teeth
• Misaligned teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Mild to moderate cases of underbites, overbites, etc. 

Clear aligners are removable to ensure you can eat your favorite foods and clean your teeth with minimal interruptions. However, they must be worn for 20-22 hours daily to stay on track with treatment. You’ll also need to visit your Invisalign provider every 6-8 weeks to monitor your treatment progress. Although each patient is unique, many achieve the desired outcomes within 6-18 months. 

Invisalign is a remarkable orthodontic treatment, but you must observe a few tips to get the most from the treatment. Here are some simple but essential tips to get the most from your treatment. 

• Compliance with treatment: Wearing your aligners as directed is one of the best ways to ensure you stay on track with treatment. Wear the aligners for 20–22 hours daily. Only remove them to eat, drink (except water), and clean your teeth.
• Switch trays on schedule: Changing to the next set at the right time keeps your treatment moving forward. Don’t delay or switch to the next set of aligners too soon.  
• Practice good upkeep: Clean your aligners daily to prevent odor or discoloration. Avoid hot water—it can warp the plastic. Remember to brush and floss your teeth diligently before re-inserting your aligners after every meal. This prevents food debris and plaque from being trapped beneath the aligners. 
• Stick with check-ups: Dr. Bell will schedule check-in visits every 6-8 weeks or as per your unique needs. Don’t delay or put off these visits. They help your dentist track progress and make adjustments if needed.
• Use your case: Never wrap your aligners in a paper towel. It’s one of the common ways to lose your aligners, as they can be easily tossed away as trash. Always store the aligners in their case when not wearing them to avoid loss or damage. 

Once your aligners come off, it’s exciting to reveal your perfectly aligned smile. Unfortunately, one of the common mistakes many patients make is failing to wear a retainer. A retainer helps preserve teeth in their newly aligned positions. Without it, teeth will relapse to their old positions, undoing all the hard work.