Invisalign Homecare
Welcome to the Invisalign Family!
Completing your Invisalign treatment is an exciting milestone, but maintaining your results requires ongoing care. Your teeth naturally want to shift back to their original positions, so consistent aftercare is key to preserving your investment and ensuring a healthy, straight smile for years to come.
This guide provides detailed information about the necessary steps and practices for successful Invisalign homecare.
Why Invisalign Home Care Important?
Proper homecare is crucial to ensure you achieve the best possible results with your Invisalign treatment. Following the recommended aftercare instructions helps prevent complications, keeps your aligners in top condition, and ensures your teeth stay healthy throughout the process.
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and sticking to your treatment plan will not only improve your smile but also protect your teeth and gums. Taking care of your aligners and teeth now will lead to a beautiful, long-lasting smile that you’ll be proud of!
Wearing Your Aligners
Daily Wear: Wear your Invisalign aligners for 20-22 hours a day. Only remove for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing, and flossing.
Switching Aligners: Follow the schedule provided for when to switch to the next set of aligners.
Store Properly: Always keep your aligners in their protective case when they’re not in your mouth to avoid loss or damage.
Cleaning Your Aligners
Daily Routine: Rinse your aligners each time you take them out. Brush them gently with a soft toothbrush and clear, anti-bacterial soap or Invisalign cleaning crystals and dental pod (ultrasonic). Avoid toothpaste as it can be abrasive.
Avoid Staining: Keep your aligners clear by avoiding coffee, tea, wine or colored drinks while wearing them. If you consume these beverages, remove the aligners and brush your teeth before putting them back on.
Oral Hygiene
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Brush After Meals: Since you will be putting your aligners back after eating, always brush and floss your teeth to remove food particles and prevent cavities.
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Daily Flossing: Invisalign doesn't cover up your gums, so flossing is essential to avoid gum disease or plaque build-up.
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Regular Dental Check-ups: Maintain your routine dental appointments to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout your Invisalign treatment.
Handling Discomfort
Adjusting to New Aligners: Some discomfort or pressure is normal when switching to a new set of aligners. We recommend Tylenol for discomfort 0 mins prior to changing tray.
Rough Edges: If your aligners have rough spots causing irritation, contact us. You may be able to gently smooth the edge with a nail file and wax provided.
Eating and Drinking
Remove Aligners to Eat: Always take your aligners out before eating to prevent damage.
Drinking Water: You can drink water with your aligners in, but remove them for any other beverages to avoid staining or warping. Never have pop / juice (acid / sugar) with trays. It increases risk of cavities.
Storage and Care
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Traveling with Aligners: Carry your aligner case with you at all times. When traveling, bring your current aligners and the next set to avoid any issues.
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Lost or Damaged Aligners: Contact us immediately if you lose or damage your aligners. You may need to switch to the next set early or get a replacement.
Monitoring Progress
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Track Your Treatment: Use Invisalign app to send photos for Dr. Samarrae to check your progress or tray fit.
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Regular Appointments: Continue attending all scheduled appointments with us to ensure the treatment is progressing as planned.
Aligner Replacement
Handle with Care: Aligners can be prone to cracking if mishandled, so always use gentle pressure or hook when removing or inserting them.
Lost Aligners or Attachments: Please call the office for instructions.
What To Expect After Invisalign Treatment?
Retainers
After completing your Invisalign treatment, you'll need to wear retainers to keep your teeth in their new position. Your orthodontist will guide you on how long to wear them.
Adjustment Period
There might be a short period of adjustment to your new smile. This is completely normal as your teeth and bite settle into place.
Long-Term Care
Continue to practice good oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly to maintain your beautiful smile. Avoid habits like teeth grinding or clenching, which could affect your results.
Smile With Confidence
Now that your treatment is complete, enjoy the benefits of your new, confident smile! Share your progress with friends and family.
Following these homecare tips will help you achieve the possible results from your invisalign treatment. We may provide additional specific guidelines based on your case, so be sure to follow the advice closely.
Need Assistance?
If you have any questions or need support with your Invisalign aftercare, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We're here to ensure your new smile remains healthy, beautiful, and exactly what you envisioned!