Answers To Common Questions About Invisalign

Having crooked or misaligned teeth can be a major drag on your self-esteem. Unfortunately, many people with this problem may not have a thorough understanding of the treatment options that can be used to correct the alignment of the teeth. In particular, Invisalign is rapidly growing in popularity among those needing this type of treatment, and if you have recently started to consider opting for this type of treatment, you might need to have the following couple of questions answered.

What Should A Patient Expect While Wearing Invisalign Retainers?

It can be common for individuals that need their teeth straightened to be worried about needing to wear highly visible metal braces. However, Invisalign utilizes a series of clear retainers to slowly move the teeth into the correct positions. When you first start wearing these retainers, you may feel some pressure on your teeth until they adjust.

One of the great advantages of Invisalign is that the retainers are removable. As a result, you can easily take them out of your mouth when you are eating or need to speak in a professional setting.

How Long Does Invisalign Take To Correct Problems?

Not surprisingly, many patients want this treatment to be concluded as quickly as possible. However, it is an unfortunate fact that the amount of time needed will vary based on a number of factors. In particular, the condition of the teeth, the desired changes and your compliance with your orthodontist's instructions will play important roles in determining how long you will need to wear the retainers.

To help expedite this process, you should make sure to limit the amount of time that you take the retainers out of your mouth. Also, you will want to ensure that you regularly attend your follow-up visits with your orthodontist. As the teeth shift positions, it will be necessary to update the retainers to ensure they are still effectively moving the teeth. During the follow-up visits, your orthodontist will closely examine the position of your teeth before making slight adjustments to the retainers. These adjusts are made by partially heating the retainer to make it more pliable. After the retainers are adjusted, you will be asked to wear and let the orthodontist know how they feel. If you experience discomfort or the retainers do not fit properly, the orthodontist can adjust them to correct the problem. This process will be repeated until the retainers are able to comfortably fit in your mouth while still being effective at gradually shifting the position of your teeth.