When you’re setting out on a new endeavor, it’s a good idea to know what to expect. This is especially true when it comes to starting a long-term process like clear aligners (such as Invisalign or Spark Aligners). Our team at Dudley Smiles is here to give you a run down and let you know what you can expect when you begin treatment with clear aligners.
First Steps
Just like breaking in a new pair of shoes or driving a new car, there are adjustments to be made with clear aligners. It’s true that every person’s smile and treatment are slightly different—but there are a lot of common experiences that patients encounter:
- Consistent Wear Time: To properly align teeth, Invisalign trays should be worn for 20 to 22 hours every single day. Some patients think they can get away with skipping time wearing their aligners, but inconsistent wear can seriously delay treatment progress.
- A Feeling of Pressure: Feeling excess tightness can present some discomfort at first, but it’s a common experience with a new set of aligners as they begin to move your teeth.
- Speech Adjustments: Changes in speech are to be expected when you have aligners in. These can be subtle or significant, depending on the person. But you should be able to practice your speech and adjust with relative ease.
- Switching Aligner Trays: Every 1-2 weeks, you’ll switch to a new set of aligners provided by Dr. Dudley. This change might feel minor, but you’ll still notice it at first due to initial tightness.
- Regular Removal: Aligners should always be removed and cleaned after every meal, as well as prior to brushing and flossing. This routine will quickly become second nature as you do it more and more.
- Going to Check-Ups: In-office appointments with our Dudley Smiles team shouldn’t be seen as optional—these are actually very important for monitoring treatment progress and addressing any issues that may arise. Do your very best to adhere to this schedule, and let us know how we can best accommodate you!
Tips for Success
Now that you know some of the main adjustments to expect from treatment, you might be wondering if we have some further advice for using Invisalign—and we do! Here are a few fail-safe tips from Dr. Dudley to help make your orthodontic treatment the best it can be:
- Keep a Case: Keeping track of your aligners is a big aspect of successful Invisalign treatment! This can be hard for some patients, especially teenagers who are in school. We recommend carrying a durable, brightly colored or personalized case to make it easy to spot. You may hear us say, “If it’s not in your face, it’s in your case.”
- Travel with a Plan: If you’re traveling, pack your current aligners, the next set, and your travel case. Be sure to have a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss on hand, too.
- Start Aligners at Night: It can be helpful to start a new set of aligner trays in the evening, so that you can sleep through the initial adjustment period instead of tackling it during the work or school day.
- Stick to Soft Foods Initially: It can be expected to experience some degree of soreness when you first start your new set of Invisalign, so we suggest being gentle on your teeth by eating softer foods.
- Watch for Staining: The plastic your aligners are made of can be sensitive to staining, which can occur if you drink beverages like coffee, tea, or red wine while wearing them. For this reason, be smart about only drinking water if you have your trays in.
- Use a Chewie: A “chewie” is what we call a cylindrical piece of rubber that can help with gently pressing your aligners into place to ensure they fit snugly. Consider keeping some of these in your case or with your other orthodontic supplies for convenience.
- Give it Time: We may live in an age of instant gratification, but orthodontic treatments don’t work overnight. Invisalign is a commitment, and you have to stay on board with your treatment plan even when you may not feel like it! One helpful tool is to take pictures every week or so to keep a visual record of your progress. You may not see it right away, but as the months pass, you’ll be stunned by the transformation taking place!
Into the Swing of Things
The great news is that you’re in amazing hands when it comes to having support—Dr. Dudley and our entire Dudley Smiles team are here to be your biggest cheerleaders and provide you with all the help you need! We can’t wait to see you in our Issaquah office soon.