Invisalign® Instructions
Wear Instructions for Invisalign
The duration of your treatment is determined by the severity of your particular case, which in turn determines the number of aligners you will need to achieve the intended results. There may be as many as 48 or as few as 12. The aligners will be distributed to you in sets of three or four at each visit; more if needed as scheduling allows. Each aligner is to be worn at least two weeks. They can be worn longer than two weeks, but never less than two weeks! Wearing the aligner for a shorter time or skipping an aligner will compromise the intended results. Dr. Pearson will schedule regular appointments - usually once every eight weeks or so. It is important to keep these follow-up appointments so that she can be sure the treatment is progressing as planned.
Because Invisalign ONLY works while you are wearing the aligners, we recommend that you wear your aligners full-time, day and night (approximately 22 hours per day). Take them out to eat and brush and floss your teeth - or as otherwise directed. Unlike traditional orthodontics, you can usually eat and drink whatever you desire because you remove your aligners. Limit the consumption of foods which contain sugar to no more than three times per day and be sure to brush after snacks and meals before replacing your aligners.
Like all orthodontic treatments, aligners may temporarily affect your speech, and you may have a slight lisp for a day or two. However, as your tongue gets used to having aligners in your mouth, any lisp or minor speech impediment caused by the aligners should disappear.
Most people experience tooth soreness for a few days after starting each new stage. This is normal. It is a sign that the Invisalign aligners are working - sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination. This soreness should gradually go away a couple of days after you insert the new aligner in the series. If it doesn't you should promptly call our office.
Care Instructions for Invisalign
Because Invisalign ONLY works while you are wearing the aligners, we recommend that you wear your aligners full-time, day and night (approximately 22 hours per day). Take them out to eat and brush and floss your teeth-or as otherwise directed. Unlike traditional orthodontics, you can usually eat and drink whatever you desire, because you remove your aligners. Limit the consumption of foods which contain sugar to no more than 3 times per day and be sure to brush after snacks and meals before replacing your aligners.
Never leave your aligners in your car or anywhere they may be exposed to severe temperature variants. Either hot or cold exposure can distort the aligners and cause them to not fit properly.
Rinsing and brushing the aligners with toothpaste and tepid (cool - not hot or cold) water is usually all that is needed to keep the aligners clean. You may wish to soak them in a mouthwash solution during mealtime. Make sure that if they are not in your mouth, the aligners are in the case provided for storage. That way they will not likely be thrown away or disposed of accidentally.
If you would happen to lose or break an aligner and you have not completed the full two weeks of wear, call the office immediately and we will have Invisalign send a replacement.