As a Top 1% Invisalign Provider, we obviously believe in the amazing benefits that Invisalign can bring to patients, and we’ve seen dozens of successful cases firsthand.
However, a successful Invisalign treatment is a true partnership between our team and the patient. Our commitment is to offer professional care and treatment and to educate patients about how to maximize each procedure for optimal results. In the case of Invisalign, we find these 10 commandments, written by WebDental and adapted by our team, to be quite useful:
1. Thou Shalt Be of a Responsible Age and Mindset.
People using Invisalign need to be responsible enough to swap one mouth tray for another. That’s why Invisalign is typically not an option for patients who are younger than a teenager.
2. Thou Shalt Not Eat with the Trays in Thy Mouth.
You must remember to remove the trays when eating anythingand to put them back in when finished.
3. Thou Shalt Remove the Trays When Drinking Anything But Water.
In other words, remove the trays when eating or drinking anything except for plain water.
4. Thou Shalt Never Eat Very Hot Foods or Drinks With Invisalign.
Hot foods or drinks could “melt” the plastic aligner a bit, making it fit less well to your mouth and decreasing the efficacy of the tray’s work to straighten your teeth.
5. Thou Shalt Never Drink Coffee, Tea, Colas, or Wine.
Coffee, tea, wine, and colas can stain your teeth, which means they also can stain the plastic trays, leaving them less than invisible.
6. Though Shalt Wear the Invisalign Trays Whilst Sleeping.
The only time you should remove the trays is to brush your teeth, eat and drink. You should wear the aligners a minimum of 22 to 23 hours a day, every day.
7. Thou Shalt Not Chew Gum Whilst Using Invisalign.
You probably can figure out why – the gum could become stuck to the aligners.
8. Thou Shalt Not Smoke Whilst Using Invisalign.
Like coffee, colas, tea, and wine, tobacco can stain the aligners, rendering them visible, and possibly even damaging them from the heat of the cigarette. You also shouldn’t chew tobacco while using the aligners. If you haven’t done so already, quit smoking before starting your Invisalign regimen.
9. Thou Shalt Clean the Aligners as Instructed by Our Team.
Our team will give you clear and complete instructions on how to care properly for the trays. If in a pinch – and only in a pinch – clean the aligners by brushing them and rinsing with lukewarm water.
10. Thou Shalt Visit Our Office Regularly, as Recommended.
You will need to visit our office every four to six weeks. This is much more frequently than the “every six months” timetable you may be familiar with when it comes to seeing a dentist, so be prepared for this frequent schedule.
If you have any lingering questions about Invisalign, or if you would like to schedule a dental exam, please contact our team or make an appointment. Our incredible staff will give you the best dental care possible.