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Living With Invisalign®

Starting Invisalign® treatment in Glastonbury, Connecticut, means a big change in your lifestyle. But you do not have to worry! Dr. Richard Risinger and our team here at Risinger Orthodontics have helped countless patients enjoy their clear aligner treatment, and we are proud to share the best tips we can to help you enjoy your treatment too. Keep reading to learn more!

Invisalign Wear and Care Instructions

  • Our patients find that changing their aligners at night helps to minimize discomfort from the new aligner.
  • Please change your aligners every ______ days. Always keep your previous aligner just in case something happens to the one you are currently wearing.
  • To insert an aligner, gently push it over your front teeth, then use your fingertips to apply pressure everywhere else until it snaps into place. To remove it, use your fingernail or fingertip on the inside of the back molar to slowly pull the aligner away from the teeth until it dislodges and can be taken out.
  • To achieve the best possible results from your treatment, please wear your aligners full time (24 hours), except when you are eating of brushing.
  • Chewies should be used each time you put your aligners in, as well as twice per day for five minutes. This helps to ensure your aligners are fully seated and encourages active movement of your teeth.
  • Make sure to brush your aligners with toothpaste and cold water every time you take them out of your mouth — this keeps them clean and tasting fresh! Eversmile or Invisalign cleaning crystals can also be used to clean your aligners if they pick up any stains. Please do not soak your aligners in denture cleaner or mouthwash.
  • It is important to keep your mouth extra clean — the aligner can actually hold plaque and bacteria against your teeth. In addition to brushing after each meal, make sure to floss daily.
  • Always store your aligners in a case when you are not wearing them. This prevents them from being lost or thrown out in a napkin.
  • Most importantly: Please do not ever stop wearing your aligners, or your teeth will begin to move back and your aligners will not fit. We do not want you to lose any of your beautiful progress!

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    Frequently Asked Invisalign Questions

    Q: Will the treatment be painful?
    A: Most people experience very mild soreness for the first day or two after changing into a new aligner. This is totally normal! It is a sign that the aligners are working.

    Q: What do I do if one of my attachments comes off?
    A: It is okay to wait until your next appointment, as long as your aligners are fitting properly. Dr. Rick designs a careful and robust plan so that the loss of an attachment will not delay your treatment.

    Q: What do I do if I lose an aligner or one breaks?
    A: Try to move on to the next aligner. Usually this works out well. If it does not fit properly, go back to the previous aligner and call our office. (Please be aware that if an aligner needs to be reordered, Invisalign charges a $100 replacement fee.)

    Q: What do I do if my aligner has a rough edge?
    A: Try smoothing the aligner with a nail file. Most often, this does the trick! If you are unsuccessful, please give our office a call.

    Q: Is it okay to drink with my aligners in?
    A: Yes, you can drink with your aligners in. However, some colored liquids have been known to cause minor staining of the aligners (for example: coffee, red wine, Gatorade). You may decide to remove your aligners when drinking these.

    Q: Can I eat or chew gum while wearing my aligners?
    A: We recommend taking your aligners out for snacks and at mealtimes. Gum tends to stick to aligners, so we suggest avoiding gum while in treatment.

    Q: What if I get sick and have a hard time keeping my aligners in?
    A: We definitely understand that it can be tough to wear your aligners when you are not feeling well! Please make sure you wear your aligners at least 8 hours per day to maintain your progress. Return to full-time wear as soon as you are feeling up to it.

    Q: Will my aligners affect my speech?
    A: When you first put your aligners in, you may notice that you talk with a bit of a lisp. The best way to get rid of this is to keep talking with your aligners in — you will get used to them very quickly.

    Q: Can I whiten my teeth during my Invisalign treatment?
    A: Yes! Many patients have found that whitening toothpaste is effective during Invisalign treatment. You can also use EverSmile foam to help freshen your aligners and whiten your teeth (it is sold on EverSmile.com and at your local pharmacy).

    Do you have additional questions? Please do not hesitate to call our office! Our orthodontist and team are happy to help. 860-633-8321