Products such as Invisalign and other clear dental aligners are a great alternative to traditional braces. The aligner trays are often less expensive than other orthodontic treatments, and many adults prefer the way they look. However, clear aligner trays don't come without any pain or other issues.
Thankfully, there are many proactive actions you can take to get the most out of your orthodontic treatment, including each of the following:
Commit to the Treatment Without Fail
When you have traditional braces applied to your teeth, you don't have any choice but to leave them in place 24-hours each day. However, with the clear trays, you can always take them out if you choose. While this has some benefits, it also has the major drawback of unnecessarily delaying your overall treatment time.
To keep your treatment program on course, it's vital you make a commitment that you will wear your aligners 22-hours each day as prescribed and will take extra special care of your teeth in every way suggested. In addition, you should expect some pain and make a plan to push through it instead of taking out your plastic aligners when they're supposed to be worn.
Doing these things will keep your alignment schedule and ensure that when it's over, your teeth will look fantastic and be as healthy as possible.
Use Dental Wax on the Sharp Edges of Trays
Just as the brackets and wires that make up traditional braces can be abrasive and rub on your tongue and cheeks, so too can the sharp edges of each new set of aligner trays. Over time, your mouth will get used to the foreign trays and won't form sores so easily. In the meantime, when your aligners are new, you should use dental wax on any sharp edges. This will allow you to wear them more comfortably and carry on with your treatment.
Use a Removal Tool to Make Taking Your Aligner Trays Out
Lastly, when it comes time to remove your aligner trays, the absolute best way is to use a removal tool. The tool has a small hooked end that carefully goes under the tray and allows you to easily break the suction between the tray and your teeth. This makes removing the aligners a lot faster and easier than trying to pry them out with your fingers, and it also protects them from inadvertent damage.
To learn more, contact a company like Stillwater Dental Associates.
Share4 October 2019
Do you remember the last time you looked at your smile and really loved what you saw? A few years ago I started spending more time analyzing my appearance, and I noticed that my teeth were seriously lacking. I knew that I had to do something to improve the situation, so I began focusing on loving my smile by getting some work done. I started talking with a dentist about how he could help, and it was really incredible to see the simple difference that he was able to make. Within a few years, my smile looked and felt completely different, and I was really pleased with the results. Check out this blog for great information on making your smile more beautiful.
