Even if you’re potentially interested in Invisalign, you might feel unsure about getting it. After all, you probably have several concerns about the treatment. It wouldn’t be wise to commit without knowing what’s involved in the smile-straightening process. That said, you may not know how to start learning the procedure’s basics. Thankfully, your Kingwood dentist can help you out! Read on to learn the answers to three of the most critical Invisalign questions.
“How Long Does Invisalign Take?”
In most cases, Invisalign aligners can straighten a patient’s teeth in a year. However, you should know that this number is just the average. How long your own treatment takes will depend on hundreds of different factors.
Let’s say, for example, that you only need Invisalign to correct minor crowding or spacing issues. For small cosmetic problems like that, the aligners will work more quickly than they would otherwise.
On the other hand, you might want your trays to correct a major overbite, underbite, or crossbite. In that case, your treatment time will likely take longer than average.
“Will Invisalign Affect How I Speak?”
Yes, at least initially. More specifically, you’ll likely have a slight lisp as you adjust to your new aligners. Your trays will change the distance between your tongue and the roof of your mouth, meaning they could leave you a bit tongue-tied at first.
Fortunately, this effect goes away pretty quickly. Because your mouth will eventually get used to your trays, it’ll compensate accordingly when you speak. You can even expect to be fully back to normal within a week.
“How Do I Clean My Aligners?”
While you might think aligners need special cleaning supplies, that isn’t true. You can get by with just a soft-bristled toothbrush and plain water. As long as you brush them gently with good toothpaste, you’ll be able to remove any lingering food debris. You could also be extra thorough by making the cleaning water soapy.
Still, cleaning the aligners won’t be too high a priority. Because your trays are changed so frequently, there won’t be much opportunity for plaque and bacteria to build on them.
Hopefully, the answers to the above Invisalign questions gave you a better idea of what treatment is like. If what you’ve read sounds good so far, talk to your dentist about whether aligners are right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Scott Mosby is a dentist based in Kingwood, TX, having earned his DDS from the University of Texas at San Antonio Dental School. For over 25 years, he’s given his patients comprehensive and concise oral healthcare. As such, his specialties are preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency procedures. He’s also a qualified provider of Invisalign. Dr. Mosby currently practices at Kingwood Family Dentistry and is reachable on his website or by phone at (281)-359-6672.