Q. How often do I wear my Invisalign aligners?
A. You must wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours daily. You may remove them for eating, drinking and regular oral hygiene.
Q. Are there restrictions to what I can eat during Invisalign treatment?
A. No. Unlike braces, you may eat whatever you like as long as you remove the aligners before eating. Prior to placing the aligners back on, it is important to brush your teeth or rinse with water after you eat.
Q. Will Invisalign affect my speech?
A. Like any orthodontic treatment, there is a short adjustment period. The more you speak with the aligners on, the quicker you will adjust.
Q. Is there any discomfort with Invisalign® treatment?
A. There will be some pressure and minor discomfort for a day or two after each initial insertion. This is a sign that your teeth are moving sequentially into their final position. Generally there is less discomfort and soreness with Invisalign compared to traditional braces because less activation is required with a weekly aligner change compared to a monthly adjustment required with metal or ceramic braces.
Q. Can I chew gum with Invisalign?
A. It is recommended that you remove your aligners prior to chewing gum as the gum will stick to the aligners. With traditional braces you must avoid chewing gum and eating anything that is sticky.
Q. Can I smoke with Invisalign?
A. We discourage smoking with aligners as the cigarette smoke will tend to discolor them and because smoking can decrease gum health and lead to periodontal disease or to slower tooth movement.
Q. How do I keep my Invisalign clean?
A. Brushing them with a toothbrush and water will keep them fresh and clean. Since a new aligner is placed every 3-7 days, keeping the aligners clean should not be an issue as long as you have proper oral hygiene.
Q. How often do I see an orthodontist while wearing Invisalign®?
A. Regular office visits are every eight to ten weeks. This will ensure that your Invisalign treatment is progressing as planned and that no negative side effects are occurring. We have two convenient locations in Pikeville and Paintsville to monitor your progress and to ensure that you are achieving the results you desire.
Q. Do I need retainers when I am done with Invisalign?
A. All orthodontic patients are instructed to wear their retainers at night indefinitely. Sleeping with your retainers in at night will ensure a healthy bite and maintain the new position of your teeth. The retainers that our Pikeville and Paintsville offices provide are similar to the Invisalign aligners that are used during active treatment.
Q. How long does Invisalign treatment take?
A. Treatment time varies depending on the severity of the misaligned teeth. Treatment time can be shorter than traditional braces, between 12 and 18 months is the most common treatment duration.
Q. Does Invisalign work for kids?
A. Yes it does. Newer technological advancements in the Invisalign software and in materials now allows our orthodontists to treat patients as young as seven years old using the Invisalign treatment technique. Traditional appliances for kids that include headgear, herbst bite corrector, and palatal expander can often be avoided thanks to the latest incredible advancements in the Invisalign product. Schedule a free consultation in our Pikeville or Paintsville office to see how orthodontic treatment with Invisalign can benefit you!