One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that it makes the journey to a straighter, healthier smile as comfortable as possible thanks to the removable clear trays. But, what every patient truly wants is to reach the finish line as fast as they can. Thankfully, there are a few ways to speed things along, and they are all very simple! To keep your Invisalign treatment short and sweet, be sure to follow these three tips.
1. Wear Your Trays for 20-22 Hours a Day
Ideally, a patient should only take their Invisalign trays off to eat, clean their teeth, and drink anything other than unflavored water. While this sounds easy on the surface, many patients forget to put their trays back in after a meal, so the hours without them can quickly add up. When the trays aren’t being used, they aren’t moving the teeth, which can elongate treatment!
That’s why it’s recommended that patients don’t use their phones while they eat, as this can cause them to forget that their trays are out. They should finish their meal, clean their trays and teeth, and immediately put them back in. Then they can relax and surf the web a bit before getting back to anything else they have going that day.
2. Bring Your Tray Case Everywhere
Nothing slows down an Invisalign treatment more than losing a tray. Often, this is due to the patient taking it out and putting it uncovered on a table or napkin, which can often lead to it “disappearing” or being forgotten. That’s why a patient should bring their Invisalign carrying case everywhere they go.
When the trays come out, they always go in the case, and the case should be stored in a pocket, purse, or backpack. This saves someone from having to take the time to look for a missing tray, set up an appointment to get a replacement, and wait for the new tray to come.
3. Maintain Your Progress Checks
Over the course of an Invisalign treatment, a patient should regularly visit their orthodontist for brief progress appointments, wherein the doctor will make sure that the teeth are shifting according to plan. These visits also give the orthodontist a chance to make minor adjustments that can speed up the treatment or prevent potential issues from developing that could slow things down. These appointments typically take less than an hour, but they can easily save you months of additional treatment time by catching a problem before it turns into something major.
Patience is a virtue, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do everything you can to make your Invisalign journey as efficient as possible! These three basic tips can save you a lot of time, stress, headaches, and money, all while making the path toward your dream smile as short as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Jeffrey Shirck is a board-certified orthodontist that has served patients in the Columbus area for over a decade. An Elite Invisalign Provider since 2017, he has used the treatment to help many adults and teens straighten their teeth quickly and comfortably, so he knows all the little things people can do to help speed up their treatment. To get more Invisalign tips or see if the treatment would be a good fit for you or your child, contact Shirck Orthodontics today to schedule a FREE in-person consultation.