Is there much discomfort with Invisalign treatment?

Your teeth and gums may feel sore when each aligner is initially placed, but usually less sore than with traditional braces. This soreness will dissipate with each passing day the trays are worn. In some cases, an over-the-counter NSAID (ibuprophen) may be necessary to help with the soreness for the first two days. As with any orthodontic treatment, home hygiene is very important. Brushing and flossing twice a day will prevent the buildup of gum inflammation, and help keep pain to a minimum.


Can patients use aligners for bleaching teeth while active tooth movement is occurring?

Tooth whitening gels can be placed in the aligners so that teeth can be whitened as they are straightened. Your dentist will instruct you on proper technique and cleaning procedures so that no soft tissues (gums or lips) will be injured and so the trays will not be damaged. While over-the-counter products will work, it is recommended that you only use what your dentist approves to make sure the gel is compatible with the aligners and that the proper concentration of gel is used.


How does Invisalign work?

The Invisalign orthodontic system use clear plastic trays (called aligners) to shift the position of the teeth in your mouth. In most cases, the trays can provide the same treatment as traditional metal braces, but with more comfort and more discreetly. The process begins when your dentist takes a special type of impression of your mouth. Models are then poured in the impression, giving an exact duplicate model of your teeth. A series of Invisalign trays are made from these models, each one slightly different. Your dentist willl give these aligners to you in the proper sequence to move your teeth a little at a time until the final smile is attained. You would wear each set of tray for 4-6 weeks. They would be tight at first, but as the teeth shift the trays will loosen. When this happens, it is time to get the next set of trays from your dentist. To make sure treatment moves along at the proper pace, the aligners should be worn all day and night. They should only be removed when eating. A completed case usually consists of 10 sets of trays, so the average treatment time is about a year. After treatment is completed, a final set of trays or a set of orthodontic retainers would be fabricated for you to wear to bed three or four times per week. As long as these are used properly, you should see no relapse of your straightened teeth.