Are you considering Invisalign as a treatment option? We’ve put together a guide to help answer the most common questions our patients have about beginning this orthodontic treatment with Dr. Shullman in Wellington, FL. Read on to learn more about caring for Invisalign aligners, food restrictions, costs, and more.
How Do I Care For My Invisalign Aligners?
It is easy to care for your Invisalign aligners. First, simply remove your Invisalign aligners when it is time to brush and floss your teeth.
Then, gently brush the aligners while running cool water over them. You can also use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals to refresh the aligners each week.
After carefully cleaning and rinsing the clear aligners, quickly replace the aligners over your teeth. By immediately replacing them, you can easily maintain the 22-hours per day requirement to ensure that your treatment is effective.
Are There Any Food Restrictions With Invisalign?
Invisalign aligners don’t have any of the typical food restrictions you might associate with traditional metal braces. You can enjoy chewy candies, popcorn, and nuts without worrying about breaking any brackets and wires when you use clear aligners.
You only need to remove the aligners when you are eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing your teeth. You can store your aligner trays in a convenient carrying case while you eat. When you finish, brush your teeth, replace the aligners, and continue your day hassle-free.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
The cost of Invisalign depends on how long you need to use it to reach your goals. Treatment plans vary from patient to patient, so cost may depend on the length of treatment and the severity of any issues needing correcting. For an estimated payment plan, check out our online payment calculator.
What Happens After Treatment?
After you complete the Invisalign treatment, you won’t need to wear your aligners anymore. However, you will need to wear a retainer to prevent your teeth from going back to their original positions. It is important to note that you should not use the last aligner in your treatment plan as a retainer.
The clear aligner trays are thinner, so you should only use them for short periods of use. Using the trays for longer than your treatment period can result in discoloration and breakage. When you complete your treatment, you will receive a durable custom retainer to maintain the alignment.
Your final retainer will use a stronger material meant to last you for years to come. In most cases, you will need to wear the retainer daily for at least six months. After the initial six-month period, you will typically only have to wear the retainer while you sleep.
