Dr. Anthony Markiewicz and his dental team are proud to offer a wide range of dental services to patients all across Mundelein & Hawthorn Woods, IL, including the revolutionary Invisalign system. As Invisalign clear braces are quickly becoming a more popular and effective alternative to traditional metal braces, it’s crucial for all of our Invisalign patients to properly adjust to their treatment, thus ensuring a healthy, straight smile!
Below, our dental team has put together a comprehensive list of the most commonly asked questions about Invisalign, giving you a better understanding of what Invisalign treatment is all about:
Q: HOW LONG DOES INVISALIGN TREATMENT TAKE?
A: Treatment time varies from one patient to the next, depending upon the severity of the orthodontic problem being addressed. That said, treatment with Invisalign is often shorter than treatment with traditional braces, and can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months.
Q: HOW MANY HOURS A DAY DO I WEAR MY INVISALIGN ALIGNERS?
A: In order for Invisalign to work as it’s designed, you must wear your aligners for 22 hours each day. You can take your aligners out when eating, drinking, and cleaning your teeth. You may also remove the aligners temporarily for special occasions like school or family photos, as long as you put them right back in afterwards!
Q: WHAT CAN I EAT DURING MY INVISALIGN TREATMENT?
A: Unlike braces, you can eat whatever you like as long as you remove your Invisalign aligners before eating! Before you place the aligners back in your mouth, it’s important to brush your teeth and clean your aligners first.
Q: DOES INVISALIGN AFFECT MY SPEECH?
A: You may notice that your speech sounds slightly different when you first start wearing Invisalign, but don’t worry – Your speech will quickly return to normal once you’re used to talking with the aligners in your mouth.
Q: ARE INVISALIGN ALIGNERS PAINFUL?
A: You can expect to feel some pressure and minor discomfort for a day or two each time you receive a new set of Invisalign aligners. This is a sign that your teeth are moving as they should, shifting into their final position that was carefully planned out by Dr. Markiewicz.
Q: IS IT OKAY TO CHEW GUM WHILE WEARING INVISALIGN?
A: We don’t recommend chewing gum when you have the aligners in, as the gum will stick to the aligners and make a mess!
Q: CAN I SMOKE WHILE WEARING MY INVISALIGN ALIGNERS?
A: We discourage smoking with your Invisalign aligners in, as the smoke can stain or discolor your trays. Invisalign aside, smoking is extremely detrimental to your oral health and overall well-being.
Q: HOW DO I CLEAN MY INVISALIGN TRAYS?
A: Every time you remove your Invisalign trays, it’s crucial to clean them properly. Dry saliva and plaque create a perfect breeding ground for foul-smelling bacteria. Soaking your aligners in denture cleaner, Retainer Brite, or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals are all excellent options for keeping your trays clean and sanitized.
You can also clean your aligners with a clear, antibacterial soft soap. Clear, antibacterial soap is an excellent and inexpensive way to keep your aligners clear, fresh, and free from harmful bacteria. As a side note, it’s not advised to use toothpaste to clean your trays, as this will scratch the plastic and create places for bacteria to live inside your aligners.
Q: CAN TEENS UTILIZE INVISALIGN?
A: Yes! As long as a teen’s adult teeth have come in – including the second molars – Invisalign Teen is a great option over traditional metal braces.
CONTACT YOUR MUNDELEIN & HAWTHORN WOODS, IL ORTHODONTIST TODAY!
With state-of-the-art Invisalign technology and in-depth experience, Dr. Anthony Markiewicz and his dental staff in Mundelein and Hawthorn Woods, IL will provide you with the best tips and tricks to adjust to your new Invisalign treatment. For more information on familiarizing yourself with your new Invisalign clear aligners, or to find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, don’t hesitate to contact us today!
