The marketing department at Invisalign and the staff at your dentist in Edmonton can tell you everything they want to tell you about Invisalign, but what do they know, really? They aren’t going to be the ones wearing those clear and removable aligners for at least 20 hours a day for the next year, are they? (Actually, maybe some of them have worn Invisalign’s aligners in the past, but that’s besides the point.)
To give you a true understanding of what wearing Invisalign in Edmonton might be like for you — the good, the annoying, and the awkward — we collected some tips and comments we’ve heard from some of our patients. With this, we’ll give you the benefit of their experience.
Your treatment plan may include attachments
Invisalign straightens your teeth using aligners that slip over your teeth. Successive sets of aligners worn two weeks or so at a time gradually move your teeth into the correct positions. In some cases, your dentist in Edmonton will place clips or ridges onto your teeth for the aligners to click onto to stay in place. Ask your dentist at the outset of your treatment plan how many posts, clips, or ridges your plan will include.
You should wear the aligners 22 hours a day… and that’s a lot
To accomplish your treatment plan on schedule, your aligners should only be out of your mouth for two hours (120 minutes) a day. That’ll include all the time you’re eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing every day. You should keep close track of that time in order to stay on track. You’ll be surprised about how quickly those 120 minute a day disappear.
Invisalign isn’t a diet plan, but…
You have to clean your Invisalign aligners every time you eat before putting the aligners back in your mouth. That’s not hard, but it takes time and it can be a bit of a nuisance after a while. You also have to take your aligners out every time you eat… then clean them. Put those things together and you may find you’re eating fewer snacks than usual. It may all add up to a few lost pounds.
Lipstick is gonna be a nuisance
If you wear tinted lip gloss and colored lipstick, there will be no avoiding getting those lip gloss and lipstick colours all over your aligners. That’ll look ugly, and get sticky and waxy substances all over your aligners. You may want to forego coloured lipstick and lipglass for a few months.
You’ll need your fingernails
The aligners provided as part of your treatment with Invisalign near you fit snugly and sleekly against your teeth — and there’s no handle. So what? It means you’ll need your fingernails to get them off easily. So if you’re someone who trims your fingernails short, don’t go too short. If you’re someone who manicures and polishes up your nails with special finishes, those finishes are going to get chipped. It’s worth it, but it’s something to keep in mind.
About kissing…
Yes, you can kiss while wearing Invisalign aligners. But, you’ll be kissing… while wearing… Invisalign aligners. They’re going to be in the way. You’re going to feel them. It’s do-able, but it’ll feel awkward and weird. It may even be a buzzkill. Worth it? Totally. But you should know it ahead of time. Save some of your 120 minutes a day for aligner-free kissing if you can! Or get over it. But don’t say we didn’t warn you. But, again… worth it.
What do you think? Even with this behind the scenes and honest glimpse into life with Invisalign from your dentist in Edmonton, are you up for it? If you’re curious about getting Invisalign near you and committed to following your treatment plan despite the challenges that might come up, contact a dentist near you to get started.
