Invisalign Braces: What Happens After You Finish the Orthodontic Treatment

Braces are the traditional way to straighten misaligned teeth. But they’re not the only option, and one alternative is Invisalign clear aligners—a removable system of trays that realign your teeth without metal brackets or wires.

Invisalign aligners are custom-made for your mouth and can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. They may take longer than traditional braces (about six months instead of a year).

What Causes Misaligned Teeth?

Misaligned teeth can be caused by genetics, oral habits such as thumb sucking and injuries, missing or extra teeth, and crowded or too much space between teeth. Our dentist will recommend Invisalign in Dublin, CA, to correct the misaligned teeth.

What is Invisalign?

Invisible aligners are a clear, removable alternative to traditional metal braces. The clear custom aligners are made of BPA-free plastic material called SmartTrack, which acts as a guide for your teeth’s movement. You wear these invisible aligners for about 22 hours per day but only have to remove them for eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth (you’re free to brush normally).

Because the aligners are removable, you can eat whatever you please without worrying about what will happen if you take out the tray before a meal. Also, because they’re clear and fairly invisible in appearance when worn correctly, they won’t stand out too much against your teeth or make wearing them socially awkward like some other appliances might (think: giant metal mouthguards).

It’s important to note that Invisalign isn’t right for everyone; certain types of jaw issues could prevent someone from being compatible with this type of treatment plan. Consult a dentist near you if you think Invisalign might be right for you but aren’t sure whether it’ll work well with you.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

Invisalign treatment is a series of steps meant to help your teeth shift into their desired positions. Depending on how quickly you want them to move, the process can take between eight and 24 months.

Each visit will involve taking photographs and impressions of your teeth so that new aligners can be created specifically for your mouth. You will wear an aligner over your teeth for two weeks at a time, with each set being replaced every two weeks until the proper alignment is achieved.

You’ll need to see a dentist three times throughout this process to ensure everything has stayed in place after finishing up with Invisalign altogether.

Is Maintenance Required Once Invisalign Treatment Ends?
Yes. Once you have completed treatment, you will need maintenance to support the teeth. Retainers are worn after your aligners are removed to prevent any relapse of the shifting process.

For most people, a retainer must be worn for at least one year after final aligner placement until teeth reach their final position and remain stable over time. If you do not wear it for 18 months or more after treatment completion, there is a chance that your teeth will gradually shift back into their original positions over time (thereby increasing crowding).

Your retention plan includes instructions for how long you need to wear your aligners and also when to transition from one set of aligners to the next.

It’s important that you follow the plan as prescribed by our doctors for your teeth and jawbones to remain fully stable after treatment—and continue looking great!

How to Care for Your Invisalign Aligners?

Brush your teeth before inserting the aligners into your mouth. This will prevent food particles from getting stuck in the space between the teeth and the plastic. You should also rinse them with water after removing them from your mouth to remove any food particles. Store them in a container or case to avoid getting lost or mixed up with other people’s belongings.

Visit a dentist near you regularly for assessment and cleaning. Suppose you don’t keep up with regular preventative care by visiting our office regularly for checkups and cleaning appointments. In that case, there is also an increased risk of gum disease due to plaque buildup along these tooth surfaces from food particles left behind after eating without proper brushing afterward.

Schedule an Appointment

Call or visit Restore Smiles Dental for more information about Invisalign treatment and what you can expect.