If you’ve just started Invisalign treatment in Liverpool, congratulations! You’ve made a life-changing decision to improve your smile and will join thousands of other people who have had their confidence restored by straightening their teeth.
Or perhaps you haven’t quite decided whether Invisalign is the perfect treatment choice. As with any treatment, you must have all the facts before going ahead - you must be aware of its limitations and advantages. Here are the things you might not know about Invisalign in Liverpool to help you make an informed decision:
See a simulation of your new smile before you start treatment
During your consultation at Kamran Rasul Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dentistry, we will take digital scans of your mouth. From these, we will create a 3D simulation of what your smile could look like post-treatment. These digital scans create a more accurate picture of your teeth than traditional scans. Plus, they make creating your aligners much easier – no messy, uncomfortable impressions necessary!
We’ll also use these scans to plan your treatment, and they’ll create multiple aligners of different sizes. You will change these around every two weeks throughout your treatment - as you switch them, they gradually move your teeth towards the position outlined in your treatment plan.
The change may cause discomfort as your teeth become used to the new aligners. We advise that you change them before bedtime so that you will sleep through the worst of it and take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or paracetamol if necessary.
Your aligners really are almost invisible
One of the most popular things about Invisalign in Liverpool is its appearance – or lack thereof! Many people are self-conscious about needing orthodontic treatment, and whilst traditional metal braces are effective, they aren’t too discreet.
Invisalign is the perfect solution for people of all ages looking to straighten their teeth without anyone noticing. Made of SmartTrack™ medical-grade plastic, the aligners are transparent and almost completely undetectable when worn.
Your aligners are removable
As well as being nearly invisible, your Invisalign aligners are also removable! This means no food stuck between brackets and wires. Plus, you can take them out to brush and floss your teeth.
You can remove your Invisalign aligners for two hours per day to eat, drink, brush, floss, take photos, play sports - or anything else! If you remember to click them right back into place afterwards and store them hygienically in-between wear times, it will be smooth sailing.
You need to wear them for the right amount of time every day
Once you have your Invisalign aligners, you must remember to wear them for at least 22 hours per day. This is a vital way of ensuring your treatment is successful – forgetting to wear them for the right amount of time could delay your results.
You should store your aligners properly when you remove them
You will need to keep your aligners safe (and clean) when you aren’t wearing them. We will give you a plastic case to store your aligners in when you take them out to eat or drink.
As time goes on, you might start forgetting to store them properly. Leaving them lying around can cause bacteria build-up and risk damaging or warping the plastic, so be sure to keep them in their case.
Similarly, plastic aligners are somewhat prone to staining. If you want them to retain their beautifully clear, near-invisible appearance, try to brush your teeth thoroughly after eating and drinking. Rinsing your aligners in-between wear times will also help with this.
Watch what you drink… and eat!
We know it might sound boring, but we recommend sticking to water and water only when your Invisalign aligners are in. Your aligners are crafted precisely to move your teeth in specific ways, and hot liquids like tea and coffee can warp the SmartTrack plastic of your aligners, preventing them from doing their job.
Double down on your oral hygiene routine
If you’ve opted for Invisalign in Liverpool, you must care for your clear aligners as you would your teeth. When you remove them to brush and floss - which you should be doing twice a day without fail - give your aligners a quick brush too. This routine will help to keep them fresh and stain-free.
Brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in, but try to wait 30 minutes after eating, as brushing too quickly can damage your enamel in its weakened state. If brushing isn’t possible, sip water to flush away food particles and prevent them from getting caught in your aligners.
Treatment times can vary from patient to patient
Invisalign braces tend to straighten your teeth in less time than others. Bear in mind that the length of your treatment will always depend on the severity of your misalignment.
The average treatment duration is around one year. Despite this, it could take as little as six months or up to a year to see results from Invisalign.
You might experience some discomfort
Many patients think Invisalign is more comfortable than other orthodontic solutions. The smooth plastic aligners mean you have no chance of catching your gums or tongue on sharp brackets and wires.
Despite this, you may still feel some soreness or pressure when wearing them as they start to move your teeth. Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen are usually sufficient for managing this.
Invisalign as a retainer
You won’t use your Invisalign braces as a retainer once your treatment is complete. However, we will provide you with Invisalign Vivera retainers.
They work similarly to your aligners, consisting of a clear plastic mouthguard. You should wear your retainer every night to prevent your teeth from moving back to their original position.
Where to get Invisalign in Liverpool
You can find our local, state-of-the-art dental practice on Chapel Street, in the heart of Liverpool city centre! We’re now welcoming new patients and would love to help you transform your misaligned smile.
Get in touch with our friendly team to book an appointment.