Optimizing Your Treatment Time With Invisalign

If you are planning to have your teeth straightened using the Invisalign system, you have selected a great option. Invisalign is an innovative orthodontic system that aligns the teeth with clear, customized plastic mouth trays. 

The trays are designed from an impression of your mouth. Several sets of trays are used to progressively straighten the teeth. Each set is applied for a few weeks and then exchanged for the next prescribed set in the treatment plan. After the final set has been worn as directed, the teeth should be in a straighter configuration.

Still, there are measures that you should take to ensure that you optimize your treatment time with the Invisalign system. Here are a few of them.

Don't Leave the Aligners Out of Your Mouth for More Than a Couple of Hours Daily

In order for the Invisalign system to work properly, the aligners should be worn for the majority of the day. They should even remain in place as you sleep.

However, you can remove the trays to eat and clean your teeth. Still, once you have eaten and brushed, the aligners should be placed back in the mouth. If they are left out of the mouth for more than a couple of hours daily, they are unlikely to produce the intended results as efficiently or effectively.

Progress to the Next Set of Aligners in a Timely Fashion

It is important to switch out aligners as directed to continue the progression of your alignment process. In some cases, your dentist may suggest that you wear a certain aligner for several additional days to ensure that its positive effects are optimized.

Nevertheless, you should never try to speed up your treatment by progressing through the aligners faster than your dentist has prescribed. The teeth will not re-position properly.

Clean Your Aligners

Your Invisalign aligners should be cleaned regularly with water and an antimicrobial cleaning agent. Antibacterial soap can be used as a cleanser as long as you rinse the aligners thoroughly after cleaning.

However, toothpaste should not be used to clean the trays. The abrasiveness of the paste can form tiny scratches in the surface of the plastic, promoting the accumulation of bacteria on the appliance.

Continue to Brush and Floss Regularly

The aligners do cover the teeth, forming a barrier against some of the acids in foods and drinks. However, they also hold plaque against the surfaces of your teeth. Thus, it is important to brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth clean beneath your aligning trays. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Invisalign system, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.