Straightening your has never been easier! Invisalign aligners straighten your teeth without the need for traditional metal braces. Millions of people worldwide have transformed their smiles with Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign aligners are:
Virtually invisible - discreet so no one will guess you are having Orthodontic treatment
Removable - take them out to eat, drink, brush and floss - allowing you to keep the lifestyle you have
Personalised - your aligners are designed for you only and fit snugly around your teeth
No nasties - BPA, BPS, latex, epoxy and gluten free; Invisalign aligners are made of medical grade high weight molecular polymers. They have gone through many biocompatible tests and are FDA approved (since 1998) for long term use in the human body
How soon can I start treatment
You may need to visit the practice a few times to; speak with Dr Porter about your treatment, have records taken (we need these in order to get your customised Invisalign aligners made) and fit your Invisalign aligners. We usually anticipate 6 weeks from when we first see you.
How long will I be in treatment
This varies from patient to patient and is based on the malocclussion you have (the position of your teeth when your jaw is closed). On average treatment is 14 to 18 months however you may have straight teeth in as little as 6 months. Dr Porter will advise at your appointment.
How many hours do I need to wear my Invisalign aligners
It's recommended you wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day, yes, even while you sleep! The 2 hrs not accounted for allows for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. We suggest trying to keep to these guidelines as much as you can. Any less and there may be a lag in your treatment and this will extend the finish time.
How often do I change my Invisalign aligners
Usually weekly or fortnightly Dr Porter will advise you.
How often will I need to visit Dr Porter for my Invisalign appointments
This will be dependant on how long your treatment is planned for, if additional treatment is required (teeth not tracking, non compliance of wearing the aligners or something needs to be added to the aligners or your teeth throughout the treatment).
What are chewies and why would I use them
Chewies can help seat your aligners. They are soft plastic cylinders (think a pool noodle but much smaller!) about an inch or 2.5cm long. After you've put in your aligner, you can bite down on a chewie for several minutes. This repeated biting action can help your aligner to better conform to the shape of your teeth.
What do I do if I lose an aligner
Call us immediately. Let us know what aligner you were wearing so we can advise you of what to do next. You may not need to come into the practice but make sure you call us.
What do I do if I break an aligner
Call us immediately. Let us know what aligner you were wearing so we can advise you of what to do next. You may not need to come into the practice but make sure you call us.
Does wearing Invisalign aligners hurt
It may take a couple of days to get used to wearing aligners. They may feel a little strange at first and your tongue may wonder what's happening! You may feel a small amount of 'tightness' for a few days however this will disappear. We won't lie; you may get the odd ulcer and you may give your tongue a workout while you figure out the new feeling of aligneers. If you feel any pain, Panadol should do the trick but please call us if you have any concerns.
Do I have to have a special diet while in treatment
We love this question! You can continue to eat what you usually do. A tip: don't drink hot water with your aligners - unless you feel they need to be shrunk and don't eat anything with them in. Best thing to do - take them out whenever you are about to eat or drink.
Can I take all my aligners with me once I start treatment
We don't recommend it. We will hold on to them and give the right number of aligners to keep you going between visits to us. If you are desparate to take them all - they will become your responsibility to look after. Should you lose them or the dog decides it fancies aligners for a snack, there will be a charge to replace them.
