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Invisalign is a fantastic way to address various dental concerns, from straightening your smile to changing your bite. However, before you get started on your Invisalign journey it’s important to know what to expect. Think of this blog post as your comprehensive user manual. Below we share our 10 rules for success with Invisalign. Our intent in sharing these is to ensure that you have a positive experience and achieve the desired result. 

Before we dive into the rules, let’s cover some Invisalign basics. During your treatment, you’ll hear a few new terms. These include: 

• Attachments: Small, tooth-colored shapes bonded to your teeth to help the aligners grip. 
• Interproximal Reduction: Or “IPR,” a technique where tiny amounts of enamel are removed between teeth to create space for movement. 
• Trays or Aligners: These are the clear aligners that you’ll receive from your dentist and wear around the clock. 
• Munchies: When you receive your trays, you’ll also be given munchies. This is a small rubber-like tool that will help you ensure your trays are fully in place. 

Now, let’s get to the 10 golden rules for Invisalign success:

1. Wear your aligners as much as possible: This is the most crucial rule. Invisalign works best with consistent wear – think 24/7, removing them only for brushing, and cleaning. Ideally, your aligners should be out for no more than a total elapsed time of 1 hour total throughout the day. The clock starts ticking the moment your trays are out, so aim for minimal out-time. 
2. Use your munchies when inserting the trays. When inserting your trays, use the munchie tool every time. To use this tool, bite down on it repeatedly for at least 10 times on each side (left, right, and front) to ensure the aligners are fully seated against your teeth and engaged with the attachments. This helps the teeth move into the desired position and minimizes any gaps between the aligner and your teeth. 
3. Keep your case handy and use it. When removing your trays, always put them in your carrying case and NEVER use a napkin. We cannot tell you how many times a patient has accidentally thrown away their aligners in a napkin. This simple habit prevents accidental loss or damage. 
4. Keep your old trays until treatment is complete: Don’t discard any of your previous aligners throughout your treatment. If a tray is lost or damaged, you can temporarily revert to the previous set while a replacement is ordered. This prevents your treatment from stalling. 
5. Stick to the schedule: Your treatment plan is carefully designed. Follow the instructed wear schedule precisely for the best results. This is usually two weeks with the first set of aligners and then switching every 7 days after that. The schedule is printed on your aligner packets to help you keep track. It’s also important to switch to the next set of trays at night. This provides a continuous set of hours for the initial movements of those new trays to occur while you sleep.
6. Cleanliness is key but expect some discoloration. While the aligners may look slightly “dirty” or tinged over time, this is normal. We expect to see signs of wear. This means that you’re wearing them! Clean your aligners regularly by using cleaning crystals, an ultrasonic cleaner, or your toothbrush to keep them free of plaque and bacteria. The goal is to avoid film on the inside of the trays.
7. Wear your trays to appointments: Come to your dental visits with your aligners in. This allows us to assess their fit, track your progress, and ensure everything is going according to plan. We’ll be checking how well your teeth are tracking with the aligners, seeing if they are where they should be in your stage of treatment. You will be graded on the fit and tracking of the aligners, from excellent to good to poor. If either the fit or tracking is poor, we may need to reboot. Excellent is the goal, and if you are following the rules, it will be easy to achieve.
8. Embrace the wiggle: It’s normal for your teeth to feel a little loose during treatment. During your first few weeks of treatment, we are activating the biology in your body and telling the cells that you’re going to start moving the teeth. Once this biological process is started, we can pretty much move them anywhere. Spaces may open but don’t be alarmed! Your teeth are in transition. 
9. Trust the process: Invisalign treatment involves significant tooth movement. Your teeth might feel loose, and your bite might seem off at times. Please remember your bite is in transition and will improve at the end of Invisalign treatment.
10. Follow through on the retention: At the end of your Invisalign treatment, you’ll wear a retainer 24/7 for three months. This retainer is a thicker aligner that is setting the teeth into their final and desired position. After this three-month period, you’ll use that retainer only at nighttime to maintain your new smile. 

Invisalign is a powerful tool for achieving a brighter smile. By following these 10 golden rules, you’ll maximize your chances of success and enjoy a smoother, more efficient treatment experience. 

Interested in starting your Invisalign journey? Call our office to schedule a consultation. You can schedule an appointment online, or call us at 813-689-4226.