The struggles with dental misalignments, or malocclusions, have been with us for a lot longer than you think, going as far back as the Ancient Egyptians around 3700 BCE. Mummified remains in many digs reveal the use of metal bands around teeth to keep them in place, and over the centuries, keeping them aligned has taken on several forms.
Clear aligners have become the modern popular choice, offering results without the visible signs of braces that the traditional types often come with. Invisalign® is easily the most popular type, and during the process and after it’s finished, you’re going to want to find ways to keep those teeth in great shape.
To get Invisalign treatments and find ways to keep teeth straight in the East Village, Manhattan, New York, area, Dr. Adam Nusblatt and his team at Nusblatt Dental are here to help.
Like traditional braces that use metal wires and brackets to slowly move teeth into place, Invisalign works to accomplish the same thing, only using less-constrictive, form-fitted aligner trays made from a specialized thermoplastic. The trays slowly shift teeth into the desired position as each set is used and replaced every couple of weeks.
Using this method can help to manage mild-to-moderate issues with dental misalignments, including crooked teeth, gapped teeth, overcrowding, underbite, overbite, and crossbite. If you’ve had treatments to move teeth back into place in the past, this method can also help to align them again.
While both metal braces and Invisalign are still popular ways to straighten teeth, the latter is more comfortable to wear, easier to use and remove, and frequently goes unnoticed when helping to get teeth aligned. The system also helps when it comes to eating and keeping the trays clean, as they can be removed and replaced.
Even when the Invisalign process has finished putting teeth back into position, the retainers you wear afterward are clear, offering the same benefits while you wear them for shorter periods of time to maintain results.
While you’re undergoing this Invisalign process, and even when you’re using the Vivera™ retainers after it’s finished, here are some practical tips to maximize their effectiveness:
Things like making sure you wear aligners for the 20-22 hours recommended and replacing and removing them only when necessary (when eating and cleaning) are essential in making them as effective as possible in straightening teeth.
When taking aligners out and putting them in, be sure to do it safely to reduce discomfort and prevent damage to the trays. Handle them one aligner at a time, ensure they’re going on the correct jaw, and avoid biting them into position.
Keep both your teeth and the aligners clean at all times, using a soft brush, rinsing and drying with each use, and using a small dose of toothpaste on the aligners.
Despite how much you have to keep your Invisalign trays in during the day, be sure to remove them for brushing, flossing, and rising at your normal times each day.
Keep aligners in the trays we provide so they’re dry, clean, and safe when they’re not in your mouth. Store older aligners as instructed by your dentist.
Get to your dental appointments regularly to both get the new aligner trays and to have the progress of the process examined. This also gives you the time to have any questions and concerns addressed.
Invisalign can make a big difference in your smile, and taking proper care of your aligners is an important facet of getting the results you want. Make an appointment with Dr. Nusblatt and his team to get Invisalign or address concerns about it once treatment is underway.
