What to Expect During Your Invisalign Journey

Thinking about getting Invisalign? It's a cool way to straighten your teeth without metal braces. You wear clear plastic aligners that slowly move your teeth. The whole process has a few steps. Knowing what to expect can make your Invisalign journey easier. Let's take a look at what will happen.

Step 1: Your First Talk and Plan

First, you'll go see an orthodontist or a dentist in SW Calgary who provides Invisalign. They will look at your teeth. They want to see if Invisalign is a good option for you. They will ask you what you want to fix about your smile.

They will take pictures of your teeth. They might also take X-rays. Sometimes, they use a special scanner to make a 3D image of your teeth. This helps them plan your treatment.

Using these images, the dentist will create a treatment plan just for you. This plan shows how your teeth will move over time. You might even get to see a video that shows how your smile will look at the end. This first step helps you know what to expect and how long your treatment might take.

Step 2: Getting Your Aligners

Once your plan is ready, a company will make your custom aligners. These are clear plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth. You will get a series of aligners. Each set will move your teeth a little bit at a time.

When your aligners are ready, you'll go back to the dentist. They will give you your first few sets. They will show you how to put them in and take them out. It might feel a little weird at first. They will also tell you how long you need to wear each set. Usually, it's about one to two weeks. You need to wear them for about 20 to 22 hours a day for them to work well.

You'll also get instructions on how to clean your aligners. It's important to keep them clean. You can usually just rinse them with water or use a special cleaning solution.

Step 3: Wearing Your Aligners

Now the journey really begins! You'll wear your first set of aligners for the amount of time your dentist told you. It might feel a little tight when you first put in a new set. This is because they are pushing your teeth. This feeling usually goes away after a day or two.

You need to wear your aligners almost all the time, even when you sleep. The only times you should take them out are when you eat and when you brush and floss your teeth.

It's important to take your aligners out before you eat or drink anything other than plain water. Food and drinks can stain the aligners. Also, eating with them in can damage them.

Brush and floss your teeth after every meal before you put your aligners back in. This helps keep food and plaque from getting trapped between your teeth and the aligners.

Step 4: Regular Checkups

You will have regular checkup appointments with your dentist during your Invisalign treatment. These appointments are usually every 6 to 8 weeks. The dentist will check how your teeth are moving. They will give you your next sets of aligners.

These appointments are important. They make sure your treatment is going as planned. If your teeth aren't moving the way they should, the dentist can make adjustments to your plan.

Don't skip these appointments! They help you stay on track to get the smile you want.

Step 5: Attachments (Sometimes)

Some people need small, tooth-colored bumps attached to their teeth during Invisalign treatment. These are called attachments. They help the aligners grip your teeth better and apply the right amount of pressure to move them.

If you need attachments, the dentist will put them on your teeth at one of your appointments. They are usually easy to put on and take off. They will be removed when your treatment is finished.

Step 6: Finishing Your Treatment

You'll know you're getting close to the end of your treatment when you've worn all your sets of aligners. Your teeth should be straight! Your dentist will take new pictures and X-rays to see the final results.

Step 7: Retainers

After your teeth are straight, you'll need to wear a retainer. A retainer is a custom-made appliance that helps keep your teeth in their new positions. If you don't wear a retainer, your teeth can slowly start to shift back to where they were before.

You will likely need to wear your retainer full-time at first. Then, your dentist will tell you how often you need to wear it. It might be just at night. Wearing your retainer is a very important part of your Invisalign journey. It helps protect your new smile.

What Else to Expect

• Speech: Your speech might sound a little different when you first start wearing your aligners. This usually goes away quickly as you get used to them.

• Soreness: As mentioned before, your teeth might feel a little sore when you switch to a new set of aligners. This is normal and should go away in a day or two.

• Cleaning: You'll need to clean your aligners regularly to keep them clear and free of bacteria.

• Patience: Straightening teeth takes time. Be patient and follow your dentist's instructions. The end result will be worth it!

Your Invisalign journey is a process with clear steps. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident and prepared. Stick with it, follow your dentist's advice, and you'll be smiling with straight teeth before you know it!