Our BC dentists weigh in with some important factors that each patient should carefully consider before choosing Invisalign for their orthodontic treatment.
1. It's a full-time commitment.
Yes, Invisalign aligners are removable. But this treatment option is a still a full-time commitment, just like regular braces are. And when we say full time, that means no less than 22 hours a day, every day, for the entire duration of treatment. The only time you should ever take your aligners out is when you eat, or to brush and floss your teeth.
It can be all to easy to just take a little break during treatment when your teeth are feeling especially sore, or to forget to put the aligners back in. If, after honest consideration, you don’t think you’ll be able to be consistent, Invisalign may not be a good choice for you. On that note...
2. Invisalign may not be right for you.
Invisalign can be a highly effective and convenient option for people who have minor to moderate tooth misalignment. For complex orthodontic problems, however, Invisalign could take a very long time, making braces a better choice.
3. You have to brush after EVERY meal.
And we promise - you’ll want to! As you might guess, it's not a good idea to seal food particles in between your teeth and your aligners. It won’t feel very good, and can result in bad breath over time. But more importantly, it makes it easy for the bacteria that cause tooth decay to grow and thrive. In short, with Invisalign, as with braces, you'll always want to have a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss handy between meals.
4. The aligners can become stained and warped.
Invisalign aligners can get stained and can even warp when exposure to certain drinks. Dark coloured drinks like coffee and pop will cause the aligners to become discoloured, and hot liquids can make the plastic material warp. So, while it's not necessary to take your aligners out to drink your coffee, it may be a good idea.
5. Those extra snacks may not be worth it.
During your Invisalign treatment, you’ll have to be a bit strategic about how and when you eat. If you find yourself craving a snack mid afternoon, remember that after you eat, you'll need to take the extra time to brush and floss your teeth, and to clean your aligners before putting them back in. For the sake of convenience, eating bigger meals less frequently may be fore the best.