The Secret to Maintaining Invisalign Results: How to Keep Your Teeth Straight After Treatment

dentist in mask turning on lamp before making check up
Invisalign

Maintaining Invisalign results is essential in keeping your healthy and beautiful smile for years. With regular visits to your dentist, you can check that your Invisalign treatment is optimised and that any slight changes between trays are correctly monitored. This can avert any potential orthodontic relapse or complications from neglecting to monitor.

Staying committed to the upkeep of your Invisalign treatment is essential to the long-term health of your teeth and the success of your treatment. You can maintain the healthy and beautiful smile you achieved with Invisalign for years with proper maintenance.

This blog is designed to provide knowledge and support to those who have completed their Invisalign treatment, helping them to keep their teeth straight and their results intact. It offers a range of topics about post-treatment life with Invisalign, including tips for keeping Invisalign results, foods to avoid for optimum results, and advice on good oral hygiene maintenance. It also provides information on the strategies for retaining Invisalign’s success and what to expect during their follow-up dental visits and gain helpful guidance on ways they can maintain their new smile.

Summary of Article

  • Invisalign treatment is an innovative and minimally invasive orthodontic treatment that gradually uses clear and custom-made aligners to bring teeth into the desired position.
  • Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign does not require bands, wires, or brackets, making it much more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
  • Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing you to clean and floss your teeth more quickly than braces.
  • Invisalign can address complex dental issues more gently and safely than traditional braces.
  • Its clear and transparent design makes Invisalign treatment virtually unnoticeable, meaning you can go about your day-to-day life without worrying about self-consciousness or embarrassment.
dentist drilling teeth

The Invisalign Treatment Process

The Invisalign treatment process is a safe, comfortable, and effective way to give you a beautiful smile. The entire process starts with a consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for treatment. Your dentist will take 3-D impressions of your teeth and use advanced computer software to create a custom treatment plan. The next step is to prepare your Invisalign aligners. These custom-made, clear plastic aligners gradually move your teeth into the desired position. You will move to a new aligner every two weeks until your treatment is completed. Throughout the process, you’ll need to come in every 6 – 8 weeks to check your progress, make any necessary changes, and verify that your straight teeth align correctly. 

Invisalign can be an option for individuals looking to achieve a straight smile and can help quickly address overbites or misaligned jaws. Just wear them 20 – 22 hours per day, and in no time, you’ll notice straighter teeth without all of the metal wires from traditional braces.

How to Maintain Your Invisalign Results

Maintaining Invisalign results means taking the necessary steps to get the desired results from your treatment. You can enjoy the benefits of your ideal smile transformation from start to finish through commitment and care for both teeth and aligners.

After completing your treatment, you must use retainers to keep your teeth in their preferred position. You must visit your dentist regularly and wear your retainers as prescribed, so your teeth do not return to their original position. Regular dental exams will allow your dentist to monitor your progress and check for any areas that require extra attention. In addition to using retainers, practising a good oral hygiene routine is essential to maintain your Invisalign results, like brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day.

The Importance of Wearing Your Retainers

Retainers are dental devices that help retain the newly straightened teeth in their correct position. They help prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions and provide the necessary support to help them stay in place, preventing minor tooth movements. This is especially important if you have suffered from overcrowding of the teeth or if the crooked teeth have shifted due to genetic reasons.

Orthodontic retainers come in several different types and can be tailored to your needs. Here is an overview of the types of retainers and how they work:

  • Essix Retainer: This clear, plastic retainer fits comfortably over your teeth and is nearly invisible. It is great for patients who aren’t comfortable with a metal retainer.
  • Hawley Retainer: This retainer is the most common type and is made of metal wires that form a framework around your teeth. It is durable and customisable for a proper fit.
  • Fixed Retainer or Permanent Retainer: This type is indelibly bonded to the back surface of the front teeth to help keep them in place.
  • Lingual Retainer: As the name suggests, this retainer is placed on the back or “tongue side” of the teeth. This makes it nearly undetectable and great for those who value aesthetics.
  • Removable Retainer: This retainer is easy to put in and take out, and some can be custom-made depending on the patient’s needs.

The Dos and Don'ts of Wearing Retainers

For your retainer to last and work as intended, it is essential to wear and care for it properly.

When first getting your retainer, it is recommended to wear it for 12-22 hours each day for the first few weeks. Doing this helps your teeth adjust to the new shape more quickly. Once the adjustment is complete, you can wear the retainer for 12- 14 hours daily.

To care for the retainer, avoiding eating and drinking while wearing it is essential, as food particles can get stuck in the device. After eating, cleaning the retainer with a toothbrush and cold water is also necessary. Additionally, please store your retainer in its case when not in use. To maintain it in its original condition, do not wrap it in a napkin or tissue and do not leave it in direct sunlight. Please do not put it in hot water or near any heat source to avoid ruining it.

The success of wearing retainers depends on how you care for them and use them. Here is an overview of common mistakes to avoid when wearing retainers:

  1. Not wearing the retainer for the recommended amount of time. Many people think taking the retainer off after a few hours is okay, but wearing it consistently as your dentist instructed is essential.
  2. Not cleaning and storing the retainer properly. Food and bacteria can accumulate on the retainer over time, so cleaning it regularly and keeping it in a case to prevent damage is essential.
  3. Not replacing broken or damaged retainers. Retainers can break or become damaged over time, so it’s crucial to replace them as soon as possible.
  4. Not communicate with your dentist if you find the retainer uncomfortable or do not fit properly. Regular check-ups with your dentist can help monitor that the retainer is working correctly and not causing discomfort.

The Importance of Regular Dental Visits

Dental check-ups are essential for maintaining Invisalign results. With routine visits, you and your dentist can work together to maximise the positive effects of your orthodontic treatment. This will let your dentist assess how well you’re progressing and make any adjustments needed so that you can keep smiling confidently.

After your initial fitting appointment, you won’t need to return for a regular dental schedule, just periodic visits so your dentist can check how well those invisible braces work. Your dentist will thoroughly check that each tray is fitting correctly, so you can continue with confidence knowing your smile transformation is going as planned. Also, your experienced dentist can provide additional tips for keeping Invisalign results and strategies for retaining Invisalign success.

The Importance of Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene habits are essential before, during, and after Invisalign treatment for desired results and a fuller smile. Proper oral hygiene can help keep your gums, mouth, and teeth healthy, maximise the effectiveness of Invisalign treatment, and prolong the longevity of your confident smile. Here are some good oral hygiene tips for keeping Invisalign results:

  • Brush twice a day for two minutes with toothpaste that contains fluoride.
  • Floss once daily, specifically between your teeth and your Invisalign trays.
  • Clean your aligner trays daily with a soft toothbrush or the Invisalign cleaning kit.
  • Use mouthwash to rinse and flush away debris after brushing and flossing.

You can have flawless and lasting results by following these strategies for retaining Invisalign success. Good oral hygiene will also help maintain oral health and enhance teeth’ texture, consistency, and colour.

The Impact of Bad Habits on Invisalign Results

If you’ve been given Invisalign treatment to achieve straight teeth, you’ll want to take extra care of your aligners to ensure you get the most out of them. Here are some everyday habits that can negatively impact your Invisalign results:

  1. Wearing your Invisalign trays without brushing first: To keep your aligners free from bacteria and plaque, always brush and floss your teeth before putting on your trays.
  2. Leaving the trays laid out: When you take them out, store them in their protective case to keep them from getting dirty or damaged.
  3. Changing your aligners late: Your dentist will give you specific directions for when to switch to the next set of trays. If you do not follow this schedule, the amount of time you wear each tray will be incorrect, and your teeth may not move as far in the time frame planned for your treatment.
  4. Forgetting to remove your aligners when eating or drinking: Food particles can get stuck in your trays and cause staining. Also, some foods and drinks, such as coffee and tea, can cause discolouration of your aligners.
  5. Exposing your aligners to heat: Be careful not to leave them in the sun or hot water, and avoid storing them in areas that are too hot.
  6. Using harsh cleansers on your aligners: You should only use the cleaning supplies provided by your dentist or recommended by Invisalign. Other cleaners can damage the trays and possibly cause permanent staining.

One of the most exciting outcomes of an Invisalign treatment is being able to break bad habits that may have been causing harm to your teeth and gums. Here are the steps you should follow:

  1. Determine the habit you want to break: The first step to breaking a habit with Invisalign is to identify the habit you want to stop. This could include nail biting, grinding teeth, or other practices affecting oral health.
  2. Attend a consultation with your dentist: Before beginning your Invisalign treatment, you must visit your dentist to discuss the habit you want to break and how Invisalign can help.
  3. Wear the aligners as directed: To get the best results from Invisalign, you should wear the aligners as your dentist requires. This could include wearing them for 20-22 hours a day or shorter periods.
  4. Change your aligners as directed: As you progress through your Invisalign treatment, you must change your aligners. Changing your aligners is essential to keep the treatment going and to stay on track with breaking bad habits.
  5. Complete the treatment: Once you have completed your Invisalign treatment and have broken your bad habit, you can enjoy the beautiful results of your smile journey.

Tips for Eating with Invisalign

Eating can have a significant impact on your Invisalign results. It is vital to maintain a healthy diet while wearing Invisalign. Eating sugary or acidic food and beverages can damage your aligners, leaving them brittle and difficult to clean. This can increase the number of bacteria on your aligners, damaging your teeth and gums.

Chewing food, especially crunchy and sticky ones, is also not recommended with Invisalign, as it can cause the aligners to bend or break. It can also lead to over-wearing, which means your aligners must be replaced more often, resulting in additional costs.

Taking your Invisalign aligners out is crucial before you eat or drink anything. After you have finished eating or drinking, brush your teeth and use a soft bristle toothbrush to brush your aligners gently. Use a mild denture cleaner or Invisalign cleaning tablets to clean your aligners.

How to Clean Your Invisalign Aligners

It is essential to keep Invisalign aligners clean for the most effective, comfortable, and hygienic use. Properly cleaning Invisalign aligners helps to:

  1. Reduce the buildup of bacteria that may cause bad breath and make your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. Regular brushing and rinsing with a mouthwash explicitly designed for Invisalign will help keep your aligners clean and your breath fresh.
  2. Preserve the longevity of your aligners. It is essential to remove any plaque or tartar buildup that may build up on your aligners.
  3. Maintain the clarity of the Invisalign aligners. Keeping your aligners clean can help you maintain a clear appearance and make them look as new as possible throughout your treatment.
  4. Enhance your comfort. Clean aligners will have a smoother surface, which can reduce sliding and any discomfort that may be caused due to the braces rubbing against your gums or the inside of your mouth.

Cleanliness is essential when it comes to properly caring for your Invisalign aligners. Here’s an overview of the steps to maintain them:

  • Gently brush your aligner daily with a toothbrush and toothpaste. This removes any buildup of bacteria, plaque, and food particles and prevents them from staining.
  • Rinse the aligner with cold water, then place the aligner in a cup of Invisalign cleaning crystals overnight. The crystals will remove any remaining particles and neutralise odours.
  • Before putting it back in your mouth, rinse the aligner with cold water.
  • You should also use a minor dose of denture cleaner on your aligner if your aligner is becoming stiff or doesn’t fit well any more.
  • To prevent discolouration of your aligner, avoid drinking or eating with the aligner in your mouth, and avoid certain beverages and foods such as tea, coffee and red wine.
  • Finally, you should never use hot water, hot air or objects to clean your aligner. Doing so can cause irreversible damage to your aligner.

When to Contact Your Dentist

The key to maintaining your Invisalign results is following your orthodontist’s advice. How often should you contact your orthodontist to ensure you get the most out of your treatment?

Check in with your orthodontist every six months to maintain your Invisalign results. At these regular appointments, your orthodontist can examine your mouth and teeth, review X-rays and panoramic scans, and make sure your treatment is progressing as planned.

If you’re not on track for when you should be wearing your Invisalign trays, your orthodontist may suggest that you wear them more often or longer. These instructions should be followed for better possible results with your Invisalign treatment.

It’s also important to contact your orthodontist right away if you experience any problems or discomfort with your Invisalign trays. Do not delay. Your orthodontist can make the necessary adjustments as your treatment continues without interruption and moves forward.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your Invisalign results is incredibly important for your overall dental health. Regular check-ups with your dentist and good oral hygiene can keep your straightened teeth strong and healthy. Don’t waste your hard work and commitment; keep your Invisalign results with regular oral dental appointments and proper care.

Our team of professional dentists are experienced in post-Invisalign care. We can provide you with the tailored treatment you need and strategies for Retaining Invisalign Success.

Book your appointment with Burwood Dental Care today and get the confidence boost of a beautiful smile. Contact us for more information about our Invisalign dental services.

 

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