Common Questions You May Have About Invisalign Before Deciding It Is Right for You

If your teeth are not properly aligned, but you cringe at the thought of the metal wires and brackets required with traditional orthodontics, then Invisalign may be for you. Patients in the Mesa, Arizona area who visit Dr. Ben Whiting and the team at Whiting Dental are seeing excellent results thanks to Invisalign. Before you decide if Invisalign is right for you, you may want to know the answers to some common questions patients ask. Once you feel Invisalign is right for you, the next step is to find an Invisalign doctor near you!

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign is a highly effective and discreet way to correct many alignment and orthodontic issues with your smile. You will receive a series of clear plastic aligners which are easily slipped over your top, bottom, or both arches of teeth. These aligners are responsible for shifting your teeth gradually into their correct positions. You will move from one aligner to the next every couple of weeks. As you move through your series of aligners, each one will move your teeth further and closer to their correct alignment.

Is Invisalign Painful?

One question patients tend to ask is how much discomfort they can expect as they progress through their aligners. With traditional orthodontics and, specifically, braces, when wires are tightened, or rubber bands added, you can expect a period where you may experience quite a level of discomfort. Comparatively, Invisalign is quite comfortable. Patients do report a period of slight discomfort when moving from one aligner to the next. This is natural as the aligners press against your teeth to begin shifting them into place so you can continue to the next aligner. This discomfort, as mentioned, is very minor and brief.

Does Invisalign Require Any Food Restrictions?

If you have ever known anybody with traditional braces, you will likely have heard all about the foods they cannot eat. There is a list of things people wearing braces must avoid due to the metal brackets and wires in their mouths. A great benefit of Invisalign is there are absolutely no food or drink restrictions! The reason for this is that your Invisalign aligners are so easy to remove and put back on. Simply remove your aligner before eating, rinse your mouth after, and then put it back on your aligner. You can eat all your favorite foods without worry!

How Long Do I Have to Wear My Aligners Each Day?

If you choose Invisalign, it is crucial that you understand and follow the requirement of wearing your aligner for a minimum of 22 hours a day. If you do not wear your aligners for the full 22 hours, your progress rate will be slower than planned. The longer you go without wearing your aligners, the more behind schedule you will be. If you go days without wearing your aligner, your teeth will even regress to the previous alignment.

We hope the answers to the questions above will help you decide if you want to pursue Invisalign.

If you have any other questions about Invisalign or are ready to schedule an appointment with Dr. Whiting at Whiting Dental, please call our Mesa, AZ office today at (480) 870-4400.

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