What You Need to Know About Aligners

When researching invisible orthodontic treatments, you’ll quickly come across the Invisalign method. But who is the Invisalign method actually suitable for? Does it affect speech? Are the aligners easy to care for? These are just a few of the many questions patients face. This page is intended to provide you with some initial guidance.
Is the Invisalign method right for me?

The Invisalign method can effectively treat a wide range of misalignments without anyone noticing your treatment—after all, it uses clear plastic aligners, not traditional metal braces. The best way to determine whether this technique is the right treatment option for you is to schedule a personal consultation.

Questions about the Invisalign method:

Question 1: Will my pronunciation be affected by treatment with the Invisalign method?

Answer: As with all orthodontic appliances, you should expect a period of adjustment when using the Invisalign method. However, the vast majority of patients have no problems with pronunciation from the very beginning. If this is not the case for you, though, you’re welcome to schedule an appointment with our experienced speech-language pathologists.

Question 2: What’s the best way to clean my aligners?

Answer: For daily cleaning, we recommend using a soft toothbrush and liquid soap. Never use toothpaste, denture cleaner, or mouthwash, as these cleaning products can cause the plastic aligners to become cloudy. Rinse the aligners thoroughly with water after cleaning. Warning: Boiling or excessively hot water can damage your aligners! Therefore, please be careful about the water temperature.

Question 3: Can I chew gum or eat small snacks while wearing the aligners?

Answer: No, please don’t. Chewing roughens the surface of the rails and makes them dull. Chewing gum also carries the risk of causing the rails to stick together.

Question 4: Can I drink with the aligners in my mouth?

Answer: You may drink beverages at any time, preferably water. However, please make sure that the beverages do not contain sugar. Red wine, black tea, and similar beverages can stain the aligners, so we advise against drinking them. You can, however, remove the aligners without any problem when eating meals.

Question 5: What should you keep in mind when it comes to oral hygiene?

Answer: You should brush your teeth after every meal and before inserting your aligners. We also recommend flossing or using interdental brushes, as well as regular dental hygiene appointments.

Question 6: Does treatment with aligners hurt?

Answer: After having a new set of aligners fitted, you may experience a sensation of pressure or tightness for a few hours, depending on the sensitivity of your teeth; however, pain is extremely rare.

Question 7: How do I get my aligners?

Answer: It’s simple: our reception team is already looking forward to hearing from you!