Invisalign: The Frequently Asked Questions Answered

If you’re considering teeth straightening treatment, there’s a possibility you’ve heard of Invisalign. The world’s most popular clear aligner system, Invisalign, is a great alternative to traditional fixed braces, achieving very similar results. 

At Love Teeth, we’re Diamond Invisalign Providers. This means we’re among the top dental practices in the country offering this subtle and convenient, life-enhancing treatment. 

Before you get started with Invisalign, there are a few things you’ll probably want to know, like “how long does treatment take?”, “what can I eat during Invisalign treatment?” and “can I sleep wearing my Invisalign aligner?” 

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Invisalign. 

Why Are My Teeth Misaligned?

If you have crooked, protruding, gappy, or overcrowded teeth, it can get you down. You may wonder why your teeth are grown this way. 

Sometimes, it’s down to genetics. You might have a jaw that’s too small or too big in relation to your teeth. If you sucked your thumb as a child, this could have affected the development of your teeth and jaw. Alternatively, the cause could be infections or injuries at some point in your life. 

Why Straighten Your Smile With Invisalign? 

If you need a good reason to get life-changing teeth straightening treatment, here are some you’ll love: 

• Invisalign is virtually invisible—These subtle aligners hide in plain sight, making your treatment super discreet
• Clear aligners are comfortable, and the soft, light plastic is barely noticeable.
• You can remove your aligner while eating, so you won’t have to worry about getting food trapped in your appliance
• The results are predictable and noticeable—in fact, you’ll love your new smile and the confidence it brings. 

How Does Invisalign Work?

As with other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign works by applying constant gentle pressure across your smile. The bespoke aligners are designed to match the shape of your teeth perfectly. 

Every couple of weeks, we’ll give you a new aligner. Your replacement aligner will differ slightly from the last one. Over the course of your treatment, the slight tooth movements add up to some great results. 

What Can I Expect from My Invisalign Consultation?

If you plan on straightening your teeth with Invisalign, it’s natural to wonder what to expect from your initial consultation. 

We’ll ask you a few questions about your health and lifestyle to work out whether Invisalign is the right option for you. Next, we’ll assess your smile with a digital scanner. This is straightforward, but it will give us a very clear picture of your teeth. 

Using some pretty amazing software, we’ll generate a digital image of how your smile will look after you’ve had treatment. 

Once you’re happy to proceed with the treatment, we’ll discuss the process and finance options. When the lab gets the scans of your teeth, they’ll start making your first aligners, and we’ll let you know when these are ready.

Can I Sleep Wearing My Aligner?

Sleep. There’s nothing quite like it. Next to eating, it’s probably up there in the top handful of most popular activities all humans do. But when straightening your teeth using Invisalign, you may wonder whether it’s okay to wear your aligner to bed. 

It’s actually more than okay. We’d recommend it. Your aligner is lightweight, comfortable, and perfectly safe to sleep in. Not only that, but you’ll barely notice it’s there after a while. 

In fact, you need to wear your aligner as much as possible — ideally for around 22 hours each day. That means you’ll need to wear it to sleep. 

What Can You Eat During Invisalign Treatment?

While fixing your bite issues with Invisalign, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy grabbing a bite to eat as often as you like. Whether you’re all about the sweet or the savoury, salads or sticky toffee pudding, there’s no need to worry about avoiding anything. 

Take your aligner out whenever you eat and pop it back in when you’re done. 

How Do You Keep My Aligner Clean?

Chances are, if you’ve chosen to straighten your teeth using Invisalign, it’s because the aligners are virtually invisible. We want to ensure your aligners stay clear. Here’s how to keep your aligner clean. 

• Clean your aligners at least twice a day – Throughout the day, your aligner will pick up food debris—some of which could cause stains. Clean your aligners and keep your smile fresh. 
• Avoid food and drink that could cause stains – Coffee, red wine, beetroot, spicy food, and dark berries all leave their mark on your teeth. If you want to enjoy anything that stains, brush your teeth right after and clean your aligner. 
• Keep your aligner in a case – When you’re not wearing your aligner, storing it in a case keeps it clean!
• Don’t smoke – Smoking turns your teeth yellow, and it will have the same effect on your aligner. 

Should I Remove My Aligner When Kissing?

It’s an age-old question. You have a new partner, and you’re not sure whether removing your aligner will ruin the spontaneity when kissing. Worry no more. We have the answers. 

Because you’ll barely notice your Invisalign aligners while wearing them, there’s a good chance the lucky person you’re about to kiss won’t notice them, either. Even if they do notice them, they certainly won’t get in the way. 

Are Invisalign Aligners BPA- Free?

Bisphenol A (aka BPA) is a chemical compound used in the production of plastics. Exposure to BPA can cause several health issues, and it’s natural to worry about any plastic items you may put inside your mouth. 

Invisalign aligners do not contain BPA. In fact, the aligners are food safe and biocompatible! Your aligner will be made of medical-grade polyurethane resin. 

Invisalign at Love Teeth

Invisalign is a comfortable, discreet, and simple teeth straightening treatment that could change your life. At Love Teeth, we’re proud of the fact we’re Invisalign Diamond Providers. This means we’re skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable about every aspect of your Invisalign treatment. 

Call us today to schedule your Invisalign consultation.