What you need to know about Invisalign Sheffield
Most people in 2022 have heard of invisible aligners.
Over the last 10 years, aligners have become more popular, with most adult and teenage patients who want to straighten their teeth seeking them out. Why? Because aligners are custom-fitted and simply slot over your teeth – no brackets, no wires and a tonne of discretion.
Sadly, they are not suitable for everyone, and if you have a more complex case of dental misalignment, you may need to use a clear fitted brace or even a standard orthodontic one.
When you come to see our team at Dee Kay Dental, we will always aim to find the right orthodontic tool for you. But if you have a minor to moderate case of dental misalignment with your front teeth, you will likely be suitable for Invisalign Sheffield. Great!
But what are some of the things we feel patients who are new to Invisalign Sheffield need to know? Read on to find out!
You need to wear them
You may be questioning what we mean by this, but hear us out!
As Invisalign aligners are removable, some of our patients have left their aligners out of their mouths for longer than we would have liked them to, and it has caused problems with the realigning process. For this aligner to work, it needs to be worn for around 22 hours a day or as directed by our team. If you don’t wear your aligners, your teeth can’t be straightened.
You need to clean them
Invisible aligners are not as difficult to clean as standard braces, but for the aligners to stay clear and for your teeth and gums to remain healthy, the aligner will need to be cleaned at least twice a day.
The cleaning process is simple: rinse the aligner under cold water and use a toothbrush to remove debris. There are even soaks that you can use to clean them. Always ensure that the aligner and your teeth are clean before wearing your aligner, as not doing so can increase the chances of tooth decay.
You need to change them
When you wear invisible aligners, you will need to change them about every two weeks to the next one in the series. So, unlike braces that would require an orthodontist to keep the process going, you alone are responsible for this job.
But don’t worry! You will be able to identify when they need to be changed to the next one in the sequence, as they will feel loose.
You need to manage them
Most patients assume that because the aligners are not attached to the teeth, they will not cause discomfort when they are worn. Sadly, this is not the case as the aligners still need to move your teeth. Most of our patients using Invisalign Sheffield report that they have needed to use pain relievers at one point or another. So, aim to manage the discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers.
You need to stay in touch
You will need to stay in touch with our team via the associated app, which you must use to send us photos of your teeth once a week; this will help us determine how the treatment is progressing.