Dental
The initial few weeks of your invisalign treatment
invisalign is an tried and tested alternative to conventional metal braces. Therefore an ever increasing number of patients all over the world prefer this over other orthodontic appliances. The trend is different in the UK. There are plenty of reasons that fuel popularity of these smart and aesthetically appealing braces. The system makes use of braces that are clear and unobtrusive but also easily removable.
As such the name invisalign is derived from invisalign aligners and the system is very true to its name. These clear plastic aligners prove effective fixing bite problems – overbite and under bit – apart from straightening crooked teeth and fixing other types of malocclusions.
As the first step to the treatment, you visit your orthodontist for a check-up consultation to assess whether the procedure is suitable to cater to your unique needs. If you are deemed fit for the treatment 3D scans and digital x-rays are taken of your mouth. Based on those digital impressions the braces are customised with great care to perfectly fit only in your mouth. Then you go to see the dentist again and get your first set of invisible aligners.
How is it like especially those first few weeks on invisalign treatment? In the following section of the blog post let us explore that experience in plain and simple words.
First and second weeks of the treatment
Throughout the first week of the treatment you should expect your aligners to be very tight. Your invisalign specialist will show how to wear and un-wear those braces. Expect that to be difficult at the beginning. Removing the aligners will become easier with time as those would lose their snugness. The braces are meant to exert pressure on the teeth and make them move. Thus you are likely to feel some discomfort during the first few days of your invisalign journey. The good thing is this soreness goes away on its own usually on the second week of the journey.
It is also normal to develop a sudden lisp in your speech during the first week of switching over to aligners. This problem too gets resolves on its own usually in a week or two as your mouth gets used to the appliances. But you have to keep wearing the braces as instructed. Do not even for once consider to take those off.
Many people complain of sore tongue after starting their invisalign journey. This usually occurs because they subconsciously keep moving the tongue over the appliances. Keep making a conscious effort to avoid doing that and the problem is likely to go away. On the other hand the plastic aligner trays may also rub against portions of your gum to cause irritation. Those edges need to be trimmed. But never try do that trimming yourself as you may damage the sensitive braces. Report the matter to your dentist and let the expert handle the matter.
During the treatment phase it is important to keep both your teeth and the aligner trays clean. This may take a little time as you get used to our very own oral hygiene regimen. First you have to learn to remember to take out the aligners before eating or drinking anything other than plain water. After finishing a meal or a snack you have to brush and floss the teeth before wearing the aligners back. Else there are greater chances of plaque build-up from the food particles stuck between the teeth. Do carry a toothbrush and miniature toothpaste all the time with you. It is also important to clean the aligners. Your dentist will tell you the right way to keep the aligner trays clean.
Usually by the second week the discomfort of wearing the braces for the first time starts wearing off. You get used to removing the aligners from the teeth and wearing back. But if you still experience sufficient pain and discomfort even at the end of the second week of the treatment, you should better contact your expert without delay, suggests a dentist renowned for providing successful treatment with invisalign in Wimbledon.
The third and the fourth week
Usually people switch over to a fresh pair of aligner trays every two weeks. Probability is high that you will start wearing your second set of aligners on 3rd week of the treatment. The initial first day or two will prove very difficult as your teeth try to get adjusted to the new set of aligners. The trays will be quite tight. But again from fourth week onward your teeth will get used to the new set of braces, which means your discomfort will again vanish.
