Over the last twenty years or so, Invisalign has risen to become one of the most popular methods of straightening the teeth. The flexibility and beauty of these thin, clear aligners has made them a hit with patients.
However, being a relative newcomer to the field of orthodontics, there’s a lot that you might not know about Invisalign. If you’re interested in learning more about this treatment, here are answers to some of the most common questions that patients have about it.
How Long Will I Have to Wear My Invisalign Each Day?
As you might know, Invisalign aligners are completely removable. They can be taken out at any time for cleaning or before meals, affording patients greater freedom than in the case of other kinds of orthodontics.
That said, however, Invisalign can only work on straightening your teeth while you’re wearing the aligners. That being the case, it’s recommended that you wear them for 20-22 hours a day. This affords you just enough time to eat and clean your trays—you should be wearing your trays when you aren’t doing any of these things.
Will Invisalign Aligners Affect How I Speak?
You could be familiar with the lisp that is often associated with braces treatment, and you might wonder whether Invisalign can cause the same thing.
At first, you might find that it’s a little bit harder to talk while you’re wearing your trays and sounds that require you to press your tongue against the roof of your mouth in particular can be a bit difficult to deal with. However, this is something that can be overcome with practice. Take some time to work on speaking aloud when you first get your trays and eventually it will feel natural.
Will My Invisalign Aligners Be Noticeable?
One of the main selling points of Invisalign is the discreet nature of the clear aligners, something that most patients don’t believe until they see it firsthand. So long as you take care of your aligners and keep them free from stains, it’ll be almost impossible to see them while you’re wearing them.
If you want to learn more about what these thin plastic trays can do, talk to a dentist. They’ll be able to tell you more about whether this procedure could be right for you!
About the Author
Dr. Ira Newman was raised in Queens, and being able to help New Yorkers get straighter, stronger, more beautiful smiles is enormously rewarding for him. He received his dental degree from the Emory University School of Dentistry and has trained at both the Dawson Center for Advanced Dentistry and the Spear Center for Clinical Excellence. He has also served as a clinical instructor in the Department of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry at NYU College of Dentistry.
If you have any questions about Invisalign, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (212) 924-6890.
