Your Invisalign Questions Answered
If you have been looking for a “clear bracing” option to straighten your teeth, you would most likely have come across Invisalign in your search. It is after all, one of the most popular alternatives to traditional braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear plastic aligners to gently move crooked or unevenly spaced teeth to their desired positions. It offers a more pleasing aesthetic solution to highly visible metal braces, by providing a discreet method of undergoing the teeth straightening process.
Before you decide on Invisalign as the treatment of choice, let us run through some of the most frequently asked questions regarding how the system works and its benefits.
What Long is the Invisalign Treatment Duration?
Every case is unique and therefore it is often very difficult to specify exactly how long your particular treatment will take. That said, published research suggests that Invisalign may take a shorter time to complete, compared to other treatments. To be sure, you should consult a qualified dentist for an indication of the length of treatment based on their training, expertise and experience with patients they has treated in the past with similar issues and dental conditions.
How Often Do I Need to Change the Aligners?
Unlike traditional braces that involve frequent adjustments at the dentist’s office, Invisalign aligners are removable appliances so you may replace them yourself. The general duration for wearing each set of aligners is two weeks, although it may be longer in certain cases. That said, the practice will typically schedule appointments every four to six weeks to monitor your progress.
How Many Sets of Aligners are Required for the Whole Treatment?
On average, an Invisalign patient requires between 20-30 sets of aligners to complete the treatment, but the number varies between 10-50 in extreme cases.
Can I Remove the Aligners?
Yes. In fact, that is one of the attractive points of using Invisalign. You can remove the aligners when cleaning your teeth or eating – which are not possible with traditional braces that do not come off until you have completed the entire treatment course. You should however keep the aligners in for at least 22 hours per day for optimum results.
Are There any Food Restrictions?
Unlike traditional braces that require a change of eating habits so that you do not harm the apparatus, the removable aligners (plastic trays) allow you to eat as you normally would, without fear of damaging the trays.