Check us out on YouTube as we talk teeth #watchyourmouthSpanish
Check us out on YouTube as we talk teeth #watchyourmouthSpanish

5 Tips to Make Your Invisalign Treatment More Successful

Today, I’m going to share five tips and tricks that will help make your clear aligner treatment more successful.

Is Clear Aligner Treatment Right for You?

I can absolutely say I’ve treated tons of patients—from my 16-year-old daughter all the way to a 95-year-old man, and everyone in between. Clear aligners are a wonderful treatment option when we want to move teeth, especially in the aesthetic zone.

My daughter had a little bit of crowding and wasn’t quite happy with her teeth. As the daughter of a dentist, you’d think she’d have perfect teeth, but we had to do a little tweaking. Instead of going with conventional braces, we opted for clear aligner therapy. We took intraoral scans, and x-rays, and found everything healthy, except for the crowding and spacing we wanted to fix. Her case took about 20 weeks and 10 trays. We learned a lot from her experience, and I want to share those lessons with you.

Many of my team members have also undergone clear aligner treatment, and we’ve treated a wide range of patients—from teenagers to those in their 90s. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day I end up treating a 100-year-old! However, most of my patients are adults. As we age—into our 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond—crowding and shifting of teeth can become more noticeable, and clear aligners can help get everything lined back up.

Here are five tips to help you succeed with your Invisalign treatment.

Tip #1: Don’t Lose Your Trays!

Clear aligners are not designed for chewing, so you’ll be wearing them for about 23 hours a day, only removing them to eat, brush your teeth, and maintain oral hygiene. But when you do take them out, don’t put them in a napkin! It’s the number one reason people lose their trays. You might place the napkin on the table, someone tries to help clean up, and suddenly your aligners are in the trash. If this happens, don’t panic—we can always make new trays—but it’s a hassle. So, always put your aligners in their case when you take them out.

Tip #2: Change Your Trays at Night

Typically, each tray is worn for two weeks at a time. Pick a specific “tray change day.” Let’s say you start your treatment on a Monday. Two weeks later, on that same Monday, you’ll switch to the next tray. The new tray will be designed to move your teeth, so you’ll feel some pressure the first night.
My advice: always change your trays at night. That way, your teeth can adjust while you sleep, and you’ll wake up feeling less soreness. If you switch trays in the morning, you might spend the day getting used to the pressure, which can be uncomfortable.

Tip #3: Take a Pain Reliever at Night

When you first switch to a new tray, there’s usually some subtle pressure or discomfort, but it’s not unbearable. However, to minimize this discomfort, I recommend taking a pain reliever, like Advil or Tylenol, right after switching trays. That way, you’ll sleep through the adjustment period, and by morning, you’ll be good to go.
If you’re unhappy with how your teeth look—whether in pictures or the mirror—give us a call. We’d love to sit down with you, discuss your options, and even plan out a case to show what realigning your teeth could involve. Plus, Oakley would love to meet you!

Tip #4: Don’t Eat or Drink While Wearing Your Aligners

Avoid eating or drinking (other than water) while wearing your aligners. I’ve had patients come in after drinking red wine, grape juice, or other staining liquids, and the stains seep right between the tray and the teeth. It only takes a couple of sips for the trays to stain, and while you can clean them with a toothbrush, sometimes it’s impossible to remove the discoloration.
So, if you want to enjoy a drink, take your trays out first. Some patients even find that the hassle of removing their trays makes them skip unnecessary snacks, which has led to some weight loss as a bonus!

Tip #5: Keep Your Aligners Away from Pets

Don’t think that just because your furry friend loves you, they’ll respect your aligners. Dogs, and even cats, are attracted to the smell of their owner’s mouth. If you take your trays out and leave them within reach, your pet can destroy them in about five seconds flat. Always keep your aligners out of your pet’s reach when you take them out to clean or eat.

Long Story Short

Braces have come a long way, and metal brackets and wires aren’t the only option anymore. Clear aligner treatment is available to most patients and offers a convenient, discreet way to straighten your teeth.

One of the major advantages of clear aligner treatment is that we plan everything out from the beginning. Unlike traditional braces, where you’d need to visit the orthodontist every two weeks for adjustments, clear aligners don’t require constant checkups. If you’re from out of town, we’ve partnered with the Intercontinental Hotel to make your stay more comfortable. We can plan your case, provide a series of trays, and you can complete most of the treatment from home.

We’ve had patients from all over visit us, and thanks to our partnerships and streamlined process, we’ve made their experience much easier. If you’re considering clear aligners and are wondering if it’s worth traveling to see us, the answer is yes! We’ll create a treatment plan and provide great accommodations during your stay.

en_USEnglish