It indeed involves much more than you might have envisioned. Transforming a smile from weird to perfect isn’t a few-days trading. A doctor can’t guarantee that your oral features will improve within days because it takes years every time. Luckily, the intensity of the challenges associated with braces has been trimmed down with invisible braces or Invisalign.
These braces eliminate the need for metal wires or an intensive brushing routine. You can now have as many as you want, without sacrificing your confidence or appearance. Traditional braces were supposed to come with a lot of discomfort. But do these modern braces serve comfort? Well, not exactly.
Invisalign has many cool advantages and looks good compared to other options, especially for adults and older teens. But in the end, it has some essential points associated with it that you must fully understand because the procedure may restrict you from doing something you love.
Here are seven things to consider before commencing Invisalign treatment, as recommended by orthodontists in Portland, OR.
- Say goodbye to lipsticks.
If you are a lipstick lover, please forget them for at least 1 or 2 years. Lipstick, colored lip gloss, or any other lip color can blemish your Invisalign because they are clear plastic aligners. Aligners are easily stained by any color, especially makeup-based colors. However, a lip balm and gloss may not contribute to a big issue.
Still, the concern is persistent with them as they may leave a waxy layer on the Invisalign structure. Until your treatment is confirmed by the dentist, it’s worthwhile not to use lipstick. However, you can wear it, but with precautions. The color may not impact the function of braces, but it tends to worsen the appearance of your face.
- Avoid Smoking
It is nearly impossible to clean your aligners once they get yellowish stains or damage from smoke. It is a universal truth—smoking is injurious to health—and the statement does apply to these braces as well. In addition to harming oral health activities, smoking while wearing aligners can result in permanent discoloration of braces and your teeth as well. Please avoid smoking or take off your aligners before smoking.
- Be patient with the results.
Keep in mind that results are never visible soon after your first visit to the doctor. No matter what those advertisements and marketing campaigns claim, you can’t get straighter teeth in days. So accept it because it will increase your patience levels.
The severity of misaligned teeth or other dental conditions may determine how long the treatment will take. Therefore, you must stick to the routine until advised by the doctor to change it. Keep visiting the orthodontist and avoid getting treatment from multiple doctors at the same time.
- Brush Your Teeth Multiple Times a Day
When you have Invisalign, you may be required to brush your teeth six, or even twelve, times per day. If you don’t want plaque and food particles to affect your teeth during the treatment, then adopt this healthy practice. Brushing multiple times may result in a variety of serious issues, such as bad breath or tooth decay. Purchasing interdental brushes for braces is worthwhile as it is specifically made for cleaning braces.
- Only drink cold water.
Doctor, what beverage can I drink during the treatment? only water. Since aligners are made of plastic, tea and other hot beverages can change their color and shape of them. Additionally, alcoholic or sugary drinks may also contribute to plaque formation within the teeth. So make sure you are preserving the condition of the aligners.
- The cost of Invisalign varies.
The braces cost in Portland is different for every patient. Depending on a particular dental requirement, a dentist may create a unique bill. It is also because these invisible braces are custom-made and may not cost that much for every treatment.
- Retainer After Invisalign Treatment.
Hold on! If you have had the Invisalign treatment, consult your doctor providing braces near me. It has been seen that teeth attempt to return to the same weird positions where they were supposed to be earlier. Hence, you must keep wearing those orthodontic retainers as prescribed by the dentist.
There are a few other things as well that one needs to check for, for example, during the initial few months, doctors might ask you to carry your retainer three to five times per week. After that, you might only need to use your retainer at night. Since every patient is unique, it is advised to talk to your doctor first before proceeding with self-treatment and avoid following a random suggestion.
Final Words
With a large number of tools, technologies, and options available these days, both dentists and orthodontists can help you get invisible braces. But, since orthodontists carry additional years of training in correcting bite issues and straightening teeth, they may recommend you an appropriate treatment based on your condition, requirements, and personal preferences. Till then, you should learn everything there is to know about the procedures and speak with your dentist before finally having them.