Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional braces for teenagers and adults who want to improve their smiles discreetly and conveniently. Because Invisalign has received a lot of media attention in recent years, most people are familiar with the so-called “invisible braces” that work to straighten teeth without any metal wires or brackets. But along with the widespread attention this orthodontic treatment option has received, there are also many myths being spread about Invisalign.
That’s why we've put together this list of ten truths about Invisalign in an attempt to clear up the confusion and provide more details about Invisalign and how this treatment works.
Truth 1: The Aligners Only Work When They’re Being Worn
While Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed when eating your meals and brushing and flossing your teeth, they must be on your teeth for 22 hours or more each day in order for the treatment to work as it’s designed.
Truth 2: Invisalign Doesn’t Work for Everyone
Even though Invisalign is a great way for many people to straighten their teeth, this treatment option is not for everyone. Invisalign can treat cases of crooked teeth, minor overbites and underbites and gapped teeth. However, this treatment is not effective at correcting more severe orthodontic problems.
Truth 3: You Must Brush Your Teeth After Eating
One of the few downsides to Invisalign treatment is that you’ll have to brush your teeth after each meal or snack. This helps prevent food debris, plaque, and bacteria from getting trapped between your teeth and the aligners.
Truth 4: You’ll Appreciate How Discreet the Treatment Is
There’s no doubt that you’ll appreciate and even love how discreet the aligners are. For the entire time you’re improving your smile with Invisalign, most people you spend time around won’t even notice the aligners on your teeth. The discrete nature of the aligners is what most Invisalign patients love the most and we’re confident you’ll feel the same!
Truth 5: You Might Lose a Little Weight
Because you’ll have to brush your teeth after eating, you’ll think twice about having a mid-day or late-night snack. This can result in you losing a couple of pounds during your treatment which could be something positive if you’ve been thinking about dieting!
Truth 6: The Aligners are More Comfortable Than Braces
Even though you’ll have some discomfort and sensitivity when you first start wearing Invisalign and when switching to a new set of aligners, treatment with the smooth aligners is more comfortable than treatment using braces. Unlike braces, the aligners don’t have anything present that can poke, rub, and irritate your lips, tongue or inside of your cheeks.
Truth 7: Drinking Coffee & Wine Won’t Be a Priority
While it’s widely known that drinking coffee and red wine stains the teeth, many people don’t know that these two beverages can also leave stains on Invisalign aligners. If you absolutely cannot live without that cup of coffee or glass of wine, you’ll have to remove your aligners before indulging.
Truth 8: Not All Invisalign Providers Can Give You Great Results
Even though there are many orthodontists and dentists offering Invisalign, it takes proper Invisalign training and hands-on experience to provide effective, high quality Invisalign treatment. Dr. Choonara is a Diamond Provider of Invisalign which is a distinction very few orthodontists achieve. This means that he provides Invisalign treatment to more than 150 patients every year, and has unmatched experience and expertise to deliver incredible results.
Truth 9: Your Treatment May Take Longer Than Expected
While Invisalign treatment is often faster than treatment with braces, your end date of treatment is just an estimate. You may need to wear one last set of finishing aligners to fine-tune your new smile so don’t be surprised if your treatment takes a little longer than you expected.
Truth 10: You’ll Need to Wear a Retainer When Your Invisalign Treatment Ends
When you finish wearing your last set of aligners, we’ll make a custom-made retainer for you to wear. This appliance is designed to prevent your teeth from shifting back into their original positions. You may be told to wear your retainer all day long or to wear it just at night when you’re asleep. We’ll tell you more about your retainer once your Invisalign treatment is coming to an end.
Contact Your Local Invisalign Providers Today!
We hope this information helped clear up any misconceptions you had about Invisalign. If you’re interested in becoming an Invisalign patient, please contact our office at (011) 678-8090 or request an appointment online with Dr. Choonara today. We serve patients throughout South Africa, including the areas of Johannesburg, Randburg, Midrand and Sandton. We look forward to meeting you and your family soon!