Daily wear of Invisalign explained

It is a great feeling when you attend a consultation to straighten your teeth as an adult and are told that your misalignment is minor enough to warrant the use of an invisible aligner rather than a fitted metal brace.

Invisible aligners have somewhat taken the adult orthodontic world by storm and are now one of the most popular treatment options available. If you are deemed suitable for wearing one of these aligners, you will need to know that it is unfortunately not all plain sailing. You will have a lot of responsibilities to ensure that the treatment goes as planned

At Aura Dental, we are always eager to meet with adult patients who want to straighten their teeth and will usually recommend the use of the world-famous aligner, Invisalign St John’s Wood. This aligner is easy to wear and can be accommodated into a busy work schedule, with few appointments and no trips to have it altered or tightened.

But what is involved in the daily wear of Invisalign St John’s Wood, and what will you be responsible for?

Cleaning

First, you must note that Invisalign St John’s Wood is a plastic aligner that can slot over your teeth like an invisible sports guard. It is made from clear plastic, which is durable but not immune to excessive heat or pressure. So when you clean your aligner, be sure to rinse it under cold water and use a toothbrush to remove any tough staining. Do not attempt to put the aligner in the dishwasher or rinse it under hot water, as this can cause it to warp out of shape.

Storage

As this aligner is removable, you may need to take it out when you are out and about. If you’re about to eat lunch with friends or want to remove the aligner to give a presentation, store it in the carry case provided. Once again, simply tossing the aligner into a pocket or bag can cause it to come into contact with hot objects or bend out of shape.

Wear

Our team usually advises wearing the aligners for around 22 hours a day. If you do not stick to this plan, your teeth may revert to their original positions or the realignment process may slow or stop altogether. If you are having difficulty wearing your aligners for the required time, talk to our team, and we may be able to suggest a clear fitted brace instead.

Lost aligners

When you lose one of these aligners, it can be tempting to simply move on to the next one in the series. But this is wrought with issues since even though the aligners may all look similar, they each represent a step in the process. So, if you lose an aligner, be sure to contact our team, and we will be able to have a replacement made for you as soon as possible.

App!

This is not so much a daily consideration but more of a weekly one. When you have an invisible aligner in your mouth, you will usually need to send our team weekly updates using the associated app, which can be downloaded on smartphones. These updates minimise the need for you to come into the surgery and allow our team to track the progress the aligner is making.