Invisalign® clear aligners

On average, Invisalign treatment takes about 12 to 18 months to complete but can be around six months for patients who only need limited orthodontic treatment for minor issues. Every smile is unique, and at Hess Orthodontics, we personalize Invisalign treatment depending on your needs. However, regularly wearing aligners allows patients to see positive changes in their teeth or bites in as little as six weeks.

It’s never too late to start enjoying a uniform and healthy smile. And it isn’t just for teens! You may be surprised to learn that many of our Invisalign patients are adults and teens looking to benefit from a more natural and confident smile. Since Invisalign is discreet and unobtrusive, it is often an appealing treatment option for busy lifestyles. However, those with more severe misalignments may need braces to straighten teeth more effectively.

While Invisalign may not be the best option for every condition, new technology has made clear aligners more useful than ever. It can still address many issues, including overbites, underbites, gaps, and crooked or crowded teeth.

While it’s great to be able to remove your aligners when eating, you have to be careful about your oral health. You’ll need a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a retainer or denture cleaner. Then follow these simple steps:

• Rinse your aligner under room temperature or lukewarm water (you don’t want it to be too hot or cold).
• Apply some toothpaste to your toothbrush, then brush the aligner inside and out with gentle circular motions.
• After brushing, re-rinse the aligner and inspect it for calcium or tartar build-up, which will appear as a cloudy white film and can be hard to remove with a toothbrush.
• Soak your Invisalign in a retainer/denture cleaner when necessary, carefully following the product’s instructions closely.
• After completing all necessary cleaning steps, you can return your aligner to your mouth or let it dry in its case before resuming use.

A little vigilance will go a long way toward protecting your investment in your smile and oral hygiene! Here are some tips for caring for your Invisalign clear aligners:

• Place your Invisalign aligners in their case anytime they’re not in your mouth.
• Remove your aligners before drinking any liquid besides water, and brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in.
• Mouthwash is another item that can stain your retainers. Use mouthwash before putting your aligners back on.
• Bring three sets of aligners when traveling – your previous, current and next aligner set. For longer trips, you should consider bringing along more sets.
• We recommend brushing your Invisalign every time you take them out to eat, which may not be practical during travel. Just do your best to rinse your mouth and aligners, then brush as soon as possible.