4 Factors to Consider Before Getting Invisalign

Braces for adults surged in popularity in 2021. 25% of all orthodontic patients are adults! With so many available options for orthodontic treatment, there are braces and braces alternatives for everyone.

One popular alternative to braces is Invisalign. Getting Invisalign is less uncomfortable and visibly obvious than getting braces, but it’s not as straightforward as it seems.

Read on for a few things that you should keep in mind before getting Invisalign.

1. You Need to Wear Aligners Full-Time

While you’re going through Invisalign treatment, you’re going to have to wear your aligners almost all of the time. That’s right; you’ll have aligners in your mouth for anywhere from 20-22 hours every day.

For anyone who’s comparing aligners to braces, this might not seem like a big deal, but some people are under the impression that Invisalign is something you can use when it’s convenient for you.

If you tend to be forgetful or impatient, Invisalign might be challenging for you.

2. You’ll Need a Retainer When You’re Done

This is a surprise for many people who get orthodontic work, but even more so with Invisalign. Once you have straight teeth, you’re still going to have to wear a retainer.

For the first few months, you’ll be wearing this retainer full-time (just like your normal aligners). After that, you’ll have to wear it every night if you want to maintain your results.

Invisalign is a long-term commitment.

3. You Have to Be Diligent With Cleaning

It’s true that it’s easier to brush and floss your teeth with Invisalign than it is with traditional braces, but be prepared to brush and floss often.

Every time you remove your aligners to eat, you have to brush your teeth before you put them back in (and ideally floss, but this isn’t as important. Once per day is still acceptable in a pinch).

If you’re unable to brush right away, you must rinse out your mouth with water to remove any debris and then brush as soon as you’re able to do so. You don’t want to trap any grime between the aligners and your teeth.

You also have to be diligent about cleaning the aligners themselves. Many people choose to put the aligners in water during meals and then brush them gently with a toothbrush.

You can also buy aligner cleaning tablets that will disinfect and brighten your aligners while they’re out of your mouth.

4. Invisalign Isn’t for Everyone

This is the toughest thing for people to keep in mind when they have their hearts set on Invisalign. While most people are good Invisalign candidates, there are cases in which other forms of orthodontic treatment will be more effective.

It’s okay to talk to multiple orthodontists, but if several of them are telling you that Invisalign isn’t a good option, you should consider traditional braces instead.

Talk to a local orthodontist to learn more about Invisalign before committing.

Thinking About Getting Invisalign?

If you’re on the fence about getting Invisalign, talk to your dentist or local orthodontist about your options. Invisalign will give you a superstar smile that you’ll love if you’re a good candidate, so what are you waiting for?

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