You are after a great looking smile and you know straightening teeth is the most reliable way to achieve this, or, you are worried about your dental health because cleaning crooked teeth is not being effective in keeping teeth plaque-free, not to mention the frustration involved. You decide it is time to consider orthodontic treatment. You are presented with a myriad of teeth straightening tools to choose from, from traditional metal wire-based braces to virtually invisible aligner-like trays Invisalign Weybridge.
At Weybridge Orthodontics, we encourage patients to make an informed decision when it comes to any dental treatment plan, including orthodontics. We believe that this promotes a patient’s inclination to fully invest and have faith in their chosen treatment plan. Without this pillar of faith, they are more likely to falter in following all instructions regarding their treatment plan, which is especially important when choosing Invisalign Weybridge.
We answer some of the top questions put to us by patients in our consultations in the hope that you gain a better understanding of what is required when considering the clear aligner-like teeth straightening system that has become a global phenomenon.
What patients want to know about Invisalign Weybridge
- Do I really have to wear the trays for 22 hours a day?
Yes, there is no getting around the minimum period prescribed by our dentist for having the trays sit on teeth (some patients may find that they are only required to wear the trays for 20 hours).
Patients could not be put off by this requirement. It must be remembered that the orthodontic device must be given time to do its job effectively (and give you that glowing smile) this can only be achieved while the device is in the mouth,
- Do I have to give up smoking?
We strongly encourage this. The last thing a patient would want is to find their trays have become stained or discoloured due to nicotine use.
- Do I have to give up any foods?
By being removable, one of the advantages of these aligner-like trays is that patients can basically eat what they like. Although, we usually encourage patients to avoid those foods that are generally a danger to teeth, like hard and sticky foods, particularly sweets.
- How do I clean my aligner trays?
It is vitally important to pay attention to our aftercare instructions when it comes to tray hygiene. Aligner trays are usually brushed with a suitable toothbrush (the wrong type may scratch or damage the trays) and rinsed with warm water and a specially formulated solution (crystals or tablets) designed for Invisalign. This is an important step that should be implemented after eating and before re-inserting trays into the mouth.
- Why is there an adjustment period?
It must be remembered that the trays are not a natural part of the mouth and will need getting used to. The more a patient wears the trays, the shorter the adjustment period will be. We can provide patients with tips and techniques to make this process easier.
Getting started with Invisalign is easy – simply schedule a consultation with our well-experienced dentist at Weybridge Orthodontics and we will assess your suitability and provide you with all the information you need to know.