Smile With Invisalign

You’ve probably heard of Invisalign. In fact, you’ve probably picked up a lot of general knowledge about it from commercials and secondhand gossip. But are the rumors true? Do you really know the facts about Invisalign? Here are just six things that might surprise you to learn.

#1. They really are invisible

If you’re wearing them properly, Invisalign trays are almost completely undetectable. This is because they’re made of a flexible thermoplastic material that has been custom-fitted for your teeth. In addition to being transparent, they’ll also mold to the shape of your mouth without leaving any tell-tale wrinkles or bulges. Someone might be able to tell that you’re wearing Invisalign if they’re very close to your mouth, but from a regular, everyday distance, no one will suspect a thing.

#2. You can take them off

Invisalign trays aren’t like braces that are permanently stuck to your teeth. While it’s true that you’ll need to wear your trays for 20-22 hours per day if you want to see fast, efficient results, it’s up to you to decide when you want to log those hours. If you don’t like eating with your trays on, you can take them off before mealtimes. If you have a big presentation coming up, you can discreetly remove them before you’re standing at the head of the conference room. With Invisalign, you’re in control.

#3. You’ll get new ones in the mail every 1-2 weeks

You don’t use the same trays for your entire treatment process. Invisalign works by putting a gentle, gradual pressure on your teeth until they’re in alignment, and this means using trays with a narrower and narrower range as your smile is slowly shaped in the direction that it needs to go. Your dentist will help you determine how often that your trays need to be replaced. It’s usually 1-2 weeks.

#4. You can track your usage

Some Invisalign trays come with “compliance indicators” that will turn blue if they aren’t being used enough. If you aren’t managing the full 20-22 hours per day, the compliance indicator will let you know that you need to step it up. Not only is this helpful for busy or absent-minded individuals, but it can also be useful if you’re buying Invisalign for a teenager. You won’t have to worry about them not taking the time requirements seriously; the indicator will tell you if they aren’t being diligent.

#5. They can fix a variety of issues

According to New York Total Dental, Invisalign is commonly touted as an alternative to braces, but they can do a lot more than simply straightening your teeth. For example, they can also fix an underbite or overbite. They can realign teeth that have been knocked out of place by an accident or injury. You can also use Invisalign to correct a gap in your smile. If you’re wondering if Invisalign is right for you, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist.

#6. Not all dentists offer Invisalign services

While it’s becoming increasingly common, Invisalign still isn’t universal. Some dentists haven’t been trained in it and aren’t qualified to offer it. You’ll need to double-check that your local clinic can provide this service for you. If they can’t, ask for a recommendation for someone else nearby, or get online and search for an Invisalign dentist in your area.

These are just a few things you didn’t know about Invisalign. As you can see, it’s a bit more complicated than simply putting transparent trays over your teeth. You’ll want to do your research before committing to Invisalign as a service for your smile.