For many years, the way we used to fix our crooked or misaligned teeth was by wearing braces. However, many people avoided getting braces for different reasons. First of all, they significantly modify your appearance. Some people were even bullied in school for having braces, so receiving them wasn’t very appealing to many others. Also, getting braces meant you would have to make some changes to your lifestyle. You had to change the way you ate, the way you brushed your teeth, and even the way you spoke. As a result of all these things, Invisalign was designed.
What is it?
Invisalign is a system of clear plastic aligners that will straighten your teeth gradually. The way they work is you will receive a set of multiple aligners designed specifically for you by a dentist in Surrey. These will come with instructions for the user. You will spend 2 weeks with each aligner until your teeth have become accustomed and will advance to a new series. At this point, you will move on to the next aligners that will work on further straightening your teeth.
How long will it take?
Normally, Invisalign works faster than regular braces do. The treatment for an average adult lasts approximately one year. However, each case is different and if you wish to know how long it would take for you to straighten your teeth, you should schedule a consultation at a dental clinic near you.
Will I have to make some changes?
Like with any other procedure, if you are considering Invisalign in Surrey, you should know that your lifestyle might change slightly. However, the changes you will have to make are minimal in comparison to those people with braces. First of all, you must maintain excellent oral health. This means brushing your teeth with a soft bristle brush after every meal and flossing daily. Flossing becomes particularly important when you seek treatment because lodged food can cause your aligners to no longer fit properly and slow down the process. Thus, you will have to pay extra attention to this.
Another difference you might find while wearing your aligners is that you might start to speak with a bit of a lisp. This is just while you adapt to having the aligners in your mouth and is temporary. It is completely normal and it’s the result of having a foreign body in your mouth. Just make sure to keep wearing the aligners and sooner than later you will be speaking regularly again.
Does it hurt?
Normally, you will feel some discomfort each time you use a new set of aligners. Your mouth will feel sore because the aligner exerts pressure on your teeth causing them to move. However, this discomfort decreases over a few days, and the longer you wear the aligners, the quicker your discomfort will dissipate.
How to ensure great results
If you are acquiring Invisalign near you, the one thing you have to make sure of is that you wear your aligners for the majority of the day. This is the only way you can ensure great results in the stipulated time. Dentists recommend wearing the aligners 22 hours a day at minimum. That means you should only take them out to eat and to brush your teeth.
Are the results permanent?
Just like with braces, after you complete your treatment you will have to wear a retainer that will be fitted to your already aligned teeth. This retainer will impede your teeth from moving again. Thus, it is ultimately your responsibility to maintain your results. The only thing you will have to do is insert a retainer every night before sleep.