What to Expect With Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign treatment is designed to provide patients with a straighter smile without the need for traditional metal braces that are noticeable and can be uncomfortable to wear. If you’re interested in undertaking this treatment, Dental on Clarendon explains what patients can expect throughout the course of their treatment.

Before Treatment

A dentist must first examine your teeth to determine if you’re eligible for Invisalign treatment. This treatment is best suited for adults and older teenagers who have overall good oral health but want to make their teeth straighter and better aligned.

If you’re eligible for Invisalign, your dentist will take an impression of your smile. Aligner trays will then be designed based off this impression. These trays will be ready for you to use within a few weeks of the impression being taken.

During Treatment

The Invisalign aligner trays have to be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours each day. Each tray must be worn for two weeks before you start using the next one. These trays come in plastic bags with a number on them to indicate what order you should use them in. Each subsequent tray is slightly straighter than the one used before it.

Some patients may experience discomfort during the first few hours after they start using a new tray, but generally they should fit comfortably on your teeth. These trays will slowly move your teeth into a more aligned position through micro-movements.

The length of the treatment will depend on how much the teeth have to be moved to achieve the desired alignment. If a patient doesn’t use the correct trays at the suggested times, they may experience discomfort and hinder the progress of their treatment, making it take longer to complete.

After Treatment

Once Invisalign treatment has been completed, you’ll be fitted for retainers that are intended to maintain your new smile. If you don’t wear your new retainers as instructed, the teeth can drift back to their original unaligned positions and you could lose the smile that you spent a lot of time and money on. Your dentist will tell you when you need to wear your retainers. They should be worn frequently for a period of months before you start wearing them onlyat night.

Enquire Today to Learn More

If you want to take the first step to a straighter and more beautiful smile, contact Dental on Clarendon. Call us on (03) 9690 3285 to schedule an appointment with our South Melbourne dentist and learn more about what Invisalign treatment will involve.