Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire IL
Patients who suffer from crooked, overlapped, or gapped teeth often speak with their dentist about possible treatments to improve their smile. Traditional metal braces were the norm, but with advancements in orthodontic treatments, Invisalign is now the more common selection for a straight smile. The pursuit of a straight smile with Invisalign invokes questions about the process, which is why the family dentists in Lincolnshire at Lake Forest Smiles share 10 facts for Invisalign wearers. That way, when you make your decision about Invisalign, you will have critical information about what to expect during treatment.
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Invisalign Aligners Only Work When You Wear Them
For your treatment to progress regularly and end in the prescribed treatment timeframe, you must wear your Invisalign trays a minimum of 22 hours per day. You may remove the aligners to eat, brush your teeth, or clean your aligners of food debris.
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Temporary Speech Changes May Occur
Invisalign aligners are clear, so others may not notice that you are wearing them. However, when you first use the trays, you could experience challenges with speaking. You may develop a slight lisp that may be noticeable to others; however, you should begin speaking as usual after a little time. To help you feel more confident when speaking while wearing your aligners, practice in private by reading aloud or singing.
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Patient Qualification is Necessary
The professional Lake Bluff dentists examine each patient who expresses the desire to straighten their smile to determine possible treatments. Depending on your situation, you may not qualify for Invisalign treatment but could best suit traditional orthodontic treatments such as braces.
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Excellent Oral Hygiene is Key
During treatment, you must keep your aligner trays clean. Remove your trays before eating, brush your teeth, and clean the aligners before replacing them limits bacteria in your mouth. The friendly Lake Forest dentists recommend keeping a kit handy in your desk or car, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss for cleaning.
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Some Foods and Beverages Can Stain Your Aligners
High acid levels in drinks like red wine, coffee, and tea can stain your aligners, making your teeth appear discolored. Also, certain foods such as turmeric or other spices could cause staining as well. Therefore, drink only water while wearing your aligners. When consuming sugary, carbonated, or acidic beverages, remove the aligners to avoid staining.
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You May Notice Dietary Changes
Grabbing a quick mid-morning or afternoon snack may become a thing of the past. Many patients outweigh the benefit of eating and drinking versus the inconvenience of removing the aligners and brushing their teeth before replacing the aligners. The inconvenience factor may deter your desire for snacks you probably should skip anyway.
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Invisalign is Less Painful Than Traditional Braces
Traditional metal braces often poke you in the cheek with wires or rub your cheeks raw on the inside from the brackets. With Invisalign, you may only experience discomfort when switching to a new set of aligners. Over the counter pain medications can relieve your discomfort.
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Avoid Aligner Damage
Only use recommended cleaners to soak or wash your aligners. Some patients express that a weekly cleaning of the aligners using denture cleaning tablets keeps them clean and clear. Toothpaste may contain abrasives that could cause scratches to the aligner or cause it to turn yellow. It is advised that you clean your aligners daily.
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Patience is a Virtue
Invisalign treatment will not produce a perfect smile overnight. The Invisalign treatment process moves your teeth in small increments to preserve tooth, root, and gum structures. However, some teeth move faster and easier than others. Therefore, extending the treatment or adding another tray for the best results may be necessary.
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Professional Treatment and Quality Results
The caring Lake Forest Invisalign providers near you want you to get quality results as soon as possible. However, cutting corners during your treatment is not an option for our team nor you. We know with professional treatment and a little patience, you can transform your smile.
Invisalign Dentist in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire
A straight smile can boost your confidence and improve your overall self-esteem. The leading Invisalign dentists in Lake Forest understand the importance of a straight smile and offer a discount for Invisalign treatments until December 31, 2020. Depending on your needs, you could enjoy $300 off an Express Case with 14 or fewer aligners or $500 off a Comprehensive Case with 15 or more aligners. Call Lake Forest Smiles today at (847) 234-4800 or contact us online to schedule your appointment for your straight smile. Our certified Invisalign providers in Lake Forest are waiting for you!
