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The cutting-edge teeth straightening technology – Invisalign
Teeth straightening procedures have existed across the ages. In the present times, one of the most advanced and reliable of these procedures is Invisalign. It consists of a series of clear, transparent plastic aligners that slowly but steadily exert pressure on the teeth to move them to their desired location. The aligners practically remain hidden inside the mouth. That is why it is also called invisible braces treatment.
Moreover, a renowned Invisalign provider in London adds, since the aligners are removable, you can take them out any time you want – like while brushing or flossing the teeth or during a meal or snack – to wear it back again. If you want you can also take it out during special occasions like job interview or attending a wedding.
It is a great option to straighten the teeth for people who want to achieve a straighter smile avoiding metal brackets and wires. Unlike the conventional braces made of shiny metal that stick out distinctly from the mouth, invisalign braces remain discreet inside the mouth. It does not make you self-conscious every waking moment, nor comes in the way of your standard lifestyle.
How does it work?
In order to enable invisalign technology to do its work, you need to wear the aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. If you can maintain this requirement, only then the customised aligners will deliver your expected results. The aligners exert the right amount of pressure at the right spot at the right nick of time to move the teeth. The aim is to move the teeth to their desired or ideal location slowly and gradually over a period of time. Unlike what some people believe, the discreet braces treatment is never mean t to move the teeth overnight.
You have to move on to a new set of aligners every two weeks. This keeps your treatment in progress. Teeth straightening with the invisible braces system is not painful although you are bound to experience little discomfort during the first few days after moving on to a fresh pair of aligners.
Wearing the invisalign trays for 20 to 22 hours a day – is that really necessary?
As it has already been touched briefly above, the clear braces treatment procedure is designed in such a way that small shifts of the teeth are spread out over several weeks at a stretch. This ensures minimal discomfort and inconvenience for patients. The procedure is unbelievably efficient in delivering desired and timely results. The approach is effective because of a reason; each new aligner tray is little straighter than the previous one.
However the aligner trays are only functional when they are in physical contact with your teeth. This is the very reason why invisalign trays are recommended to be worn 20 to 22 hours a day. The entire treatment procedure is designed on the assumption that patients will comply with this regulation. If you disobey the rule you are more likely to experience complications in your treatment including discomfort, extended treatment time and even unsatisfactory results.
What happens when you do not comply with the 20 to 22 hours rule?
As already mentioned above, if you fail wearing the tray 20 to 22 hours a day then you better be prepared to face complications. Those complications include the following:
Extended treatment time and delayed result – your treatment time gets automatically extended when you fail to wear the invisible plastic aligners 20 to 22 hours a day. In other words the cosmetic results you expect will be late in arriving. While you receive your series of customised aligners, your invisalign provider tells you the tentative treatment duration (which usually is anywhere between 12 and 18 months). Meanwhile throughout the treatment phase you go for routine and regular checkups. Your invisalign provider monitors the progress of your treatment. If it is found that your teeth are not moving faster enough and that is because you are not complying with the 20 to 22 hour rule, the dentist may tell you to wear the aligner trays longer. In worst case scenario you may have to get an entirely new set of aligner trays if your teeth fall too far behind from shifting to their desired location.
Discomfort – the first few days following a new set of trays are critical. You are invariably bound to feel pressure against certain teeth. This pressure is not similar to pain, rather it is discomfort. But you have to keep on wearing the trays ignoring the constant sensation of discomfort for at least 20 hours a day. You only remove the trays to finish your meals, snacks and drinks in a haste. You can also take the trays out while brushing and flossing the teeth. But you cannot afford to go without the aligner trays for longer period of time. That long gap may allow your teeth relapse or sink back into their initial position. This sinking back obviously is not noticeable in the eyes but you feel moderate level of discomfort and even pain when you wear a pair of new aligners back after a substantial gap. You can avoid this unwanted complexity only by following the 20 to 22 hours compliance.
Now let us explore few tried and tested tips that make it easier for you to comply with the 20 to 22 hour rule.
Tried and effective tips on compliance rule
In order to avoid unnecessary complexity in your treatment keep these easy and effective rules in mind:
- Always wear new aligners before going to bed at night; the aim is to sleep off both discomfort and soreness.
- Invisalign provider in London emphasises, you should never ever try to repair a damaged sligner tray.
- Report your invisalign provider about damaged or lost aligner trays promptly without delay.
Remember that there is no gain without pain. Those periods of mild soreness and discomfort are part and parcel of invisalign teeth straightening treatment. You cannot accept one without the other.
