What to Expect in the First Four Weeks with Invisalign Treatment

Teeth misalignment can affect your diet and oral hygiene and make you feel unhealthy and unattractive. You can straighten your smile with orthodontic treatments, whether you have an overbite, underbite, crossbite, improper teeth gaps, or overcrowding. While traditional braces are the most popular way to align teeth, many people now opt for Invisalign aligners. Advanced Dental of Westport offers Invisalign in Westport.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment for correcting tooth misalignments. Invisalign is a brand name for a clear aligner manufacturer. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign uses a series of removable clear aligners. The aligners are customized to fit over your teeth, gradually pressuring them to desired positions.

Invisalign aligners contain transparent, flexible, patented thermoplastic material known as SmartTrack. It makes them less noticeable than metal braces. Typically, Invisalign trays should be worn for at least 20 – 22 hours daily. However, they have only proven effective for minor to average orthodontic imperfections. Complex misalignments need a more extensive solution, like traditional metal braces.

If you’re considering Invisalign near you, you should begin by booking a consultation with our dentist. The dentist will examine your mouth and take x-rays. If you’re eligible, they will take impressions of your mouth and other details to create your custom-made aligners. This process takes about two weeks. Once the aligners are ready, the dentist or orthodontist will invite you for the fitting appointment.

They will test your aligners and give you a few instructions about using them. They can include:

• Do not eat, drink, or chew gum with your aligners on. Clean your mouth before wearing the aligner back.
• Wear the aligners for at least 20 -22 hours daily
• Clean your aligners daily. Avoid abrasive products or hot water.
• Use a new pair of aligners every two weeks.

What to expect in the next four weeks of Invisalign Treatment

Below is what to expect in the next four weeks of your Invisalign treatment:

Week One and Two

• Weird feeling. Since you’re not used to wearing a foreign substance in your mouth, you’ll likely feel a bit strange about the whole experience.
• The aligners will feel tight. As far as the fit is concerned, the aligners should fit very snugly over your teeth. However, they will loosen up with time. It might feel challenging to wear and remove them at first.
• Minor tenderness or discomfort. Since the aligners shift the teeth to a new position, they are constantly and gently pushing, which can cause minor oral soreness, tenderness, or sensitivity. It’s a great sign that your aligners are working. Fortunately, the discomfort should reduce after the first week. To manage the discomfort, opt for a soft and non-spicy diet. Notify the dentist if the pain is severe or you develop sores.
• It might feel weird to speak. You will also likely feel weird about speaking or laughing with Invisalign aligners. You should be able to talk naturally once you’re used to having them in your mouth. To adjust more quickly, be sure to speak, read aloud, and sing as much as possible.
• You’re likely to snack less. Since you must wear the aligners for at least 20 – 22 hours daily and remove them when eating or drinking, you’ll be more mindful about snacking. The initial soreness can also cause you to sneak less.

Week Three and Four

After the first two weeks, you should be used to having and speaking with the aligners. However, you will start wearing a new set of aligners. Since each pair of aligners push the teeth further, they should fit snugly. Therefore, you’ll likely experience a little discomfort, especially in the first two days. You should continue wearing the aligners for 20 – 22 hours daily. Remember also to clean them daily and remove them when eating or drinking. Notify the dentist near you if you experience any severe or worrying symptoms.

Schedule an Appointment Today with our dentist in Westport, CT

Do you have questions about Invisalign treatment? Book a dentist appointment at Advanced Dental of Westport, CT, for more information.