How to Make Sure Your Clear Aligners are Effective

Orthodontic treatment doesn’t just help you get a great smile. It can also help correct bite problems, prevent future problems from developing, make cleaning easier, and do many other things. But to achieve these goals, it’s important to follow all care and usage recommendations.

One popular option for orthodontic care that continues to gain in popularity is Invisalign® clear aligners. This system uses a series of removable, medical-grade plastic aligners.

And while Invisalign aligners work well for most orthodontic issues, there are things you can do to make sure your treatment is a success. In this blog, David Epstein, DDS, and Nikita Vakil, DMD, of The Woodlands Dental Group in The Woodlands, Texas, explain how you can make sure your treatment is effective.

Making the most out of your orthodontic treatment

Invisalign aligners are ideal for both teens and adults with mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. However, you have a big role in the results. To help your treatment go well, you should do the following things:

1. Wear your aligners for 20-22 hours each day

How diligent you are in wearing your aligners is one of the biggest determining factors in the effectiveness of your aligners. Clear plastic aligners gently shift your teeth toward their ideal positions over time.

However, in order to do that, you need to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours each day, which leaves time for you to brush your teeth and eat.

2. Focus on oral hygiene

Aligner trays can trap food particles, and if food particles are not cleared away, you could get plaque and tooth decay. So it’s important that you brush and floss after you eat and before you put your trays in your mouth.

Try to keep a traveling toothbrush kit in your bag, so you can clean your teeth before putting your trays back into your mouth. If you can’t brush your teeth for some reason, try to rinse your mouth with water.

3. Change your trays on time

The Invisalign system is a progressive treatment. Every aligner tray in the system is slightly different than the ones before it. You change out your trays every 1-2 weeks, and each time you put in a new one, the tray shifts your teeth a bit closer to your goal.

Because of this, it’s important to change your trays at the right time. When your provider gives you the green light to progress to the next tray 一 or advises you to wait an additional few days 一 it’s important to do so.

4. Take care of your aligners

Although you only wear each set of aligners for 1-2 weeks, it’s important to take care of them while you’re using them. Here are a few tips for taking care of your aligners:

• Clean your aligner trays daily 
• Carry your aligner case with you and stow your aligners in the case while you eat
• Don’t eat with your aligners on
• Don’t smoke with your trays in place

If you have questions about caring for your aligners, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Epstein or Dr. Vakil at any time.

5. Wear your retainer

Once you finish with your trays, you wear a retainer. Wearing your retainer for the specified length of time can help ensure that you keep your teeth in their correct positions.

Are clear aligners right for you?

Clear aligners aren’t right for everyone, but they could be right for you. Clear aligners tend to be more comfortable than metal braces. You might consider clear aligners if you:

• Have mild to moderate orthodontic concerns
• Are committed to the process
• Are willing to wear your trays 20-22 hours each day

To learn more about clear aligners and to see if they may be able to help you, call 281-367-3085 to book an appointment with The Woodlands Dental Group today.