Facts Everyone Should Know Before Choosing a Clear Aligner

When it comes to choosing Invisalign clear aligners, you want all the facts so you can make your decision. Our Winnipeg dentists have you covered with important facts everyone should know before choosing a clear aligner.

What should I know about Invisalign clear aligners?

These removable orthodontic appliances help to straighten your teeth just like braces do, minus the wires and metal. Clear aligners are constructed from a transparent plastic material, making them appear nearly 'invisible' to the casual observer when worn.

Before making your final choice about which orthodontic option to choose, we'd like to share some things you might want to consider. We are passionate about helping our patients make informed decisions, so here are some facts you should know about clear aligners.

Many patients appreciate that clear aligners are a discreet option.

Your dentist will assess your teeth and determine the positions they need to shift into over time, then prescribe a treatment plan. Your custom-made clear aligners will be constructed to fit your teeth precisely.

As you might guess from the name, these aligners are clear and many casual observers will be hard-pressed to notice them on your teeth. For this reason, you may prefer them to metal braces if you are concerned about how your teeth will look while your orthodontic treatment is in progress.

You'll typically start to see progress on dental issues within a few months of when you start treatment.

While each individual's circumstances are unique, patients typically begin to see results from treatment within a few months as their teeth start to straighten and the treatment plan begins to take effect.

With your hard work and efforts to stay on track, combined with an excellent at-home oral hygiene routine and check-in visits with your dentist, you'll be able to see and feel the difference in your mouth.

Do the math on how quickly you’ll need to eat and drink.

For your clear aligners to have the intended effect, you’ll need to wear them for about 22 hours per day.

That means all your eating and drinking will need to fit within an approximately two-hour time slot. While this may seem daunting at first, you may soon see some side benefits. For instance, you can say goodbye to mindless snacking (and the impact it can have on your waistline).

Don’t be surprised if your teeth feel loose.

Because your clear aligners will be gradually straightening your misaligned teeth, your teeth may feel loose when you take your aligners out. Don’t worry - we can assure you this is normal as they move and realign in their new positions.

You’ll level up on brushing.

Each time you take your aligners out to eat or drink, you should brush and floss before placing them back in your mouth.

That’s because food particles can become trapped between your teeth and the aligners, which would be uncomfortable – and bad for your teeth. It can also result in the aligners turning yellow – yuck.

Make sure to properly and thoroughly clean your clear aligners.

Just like your teeth need to be cleaned each time you eat or drink, you’ll need to clean your aligners as well. You shouldn’t use toothpaste to clean them, as it contains abrasive ingredients that can scratch your aligners. Instead, clean them with clear aligner cleaning crystals, denture cleaner, or Retainer Brite.

You may want to remove and place your aligners in private.

Because your aligners fit your teeth so precisely, you may find it challenging to remove them and pop them in again when you’re done eating or drinking. For this reason, you may be more comfortable doing this in a restroom, especially at first.

Don’t count yourself out.

Patients who come to us asking about clear aligners often wonder whether they’d be a candidate. The only way to find out is to ask and visit your dentist for a consultation.

Depending on which clear aligners you’re considering, they can be used to fix a variety of issues, from gapped, crowded or crooked teeth to overbite and crossbite. We would be happy to assess your smile and help you find out if you’re a candidate for treatment with clear aligners.

You may need a retainer following treatment.

Your orthodontic treatment may not be quite finished after your wear the entire series of clear aligners as prescribed by your dentist. Wearing a retainer after the main course of your treatment will help to ensure your straight smile stays in its place.

We’re here to support you.

Though choosing clear aligners may come with its challenges, we’re here to support you 100% through any questions or concerns you may have. You’ll have our dental team just a phone call away to provide answers or advice. And in the end – you’ll have a healthier, straighter smile.