Invisalign is an incredible alternative to traditional braces that straightens a patient’s teeth using a customized sequence of clear aligners. These devices are designed to fit snugly over the teeth so they can exert the consistent pressure necessary to shift the smile into a healthier alignment, and some patients may have difficulty removing these devices when they begin the treatment. Here’s a brief guide to how Invisalign works as well as a few tips that can make removing your aligners easier.
How Does Invisalign Work?
During Invisalign treatment, a patient must wear their aligners for at least twenty hours every day, so it’s best to only remove your appliances for oral hygiene sessions and when eating or drinking anything but liquid water. Each set of aligners will pick the treatment up where the previous set left off, and the patient will need to switch to the next pair in their sequence every two weeks or so. Invisalign usually takes six to eighteen months to realign a smile.
How Can I Remove My Aligners Easily?
Removing your Invisalign aligners should become increasingly easy as you get more practice, but some patients have trouble with this task when they begin the treatment. A few tips that can make removing your aligners easier include:
- Dry your mouth out: Hold your mouth open for about thirty seconds to let some of the moisture evaporate before removing your aligners. This can make your appliances significantly less slippery.
- Use surgical gloves: These devices can give your fingers extra traction that can make it easier to loosen your aligners.
- Work forward from the back: It’s usually best to begin by loosening your aligners from your back teeth first since this can give you more leverage. Some patients find that it’s easier to work from one side of the aligner to the other while others find it better to work from both sides to the front of the mouth.
- Avoid cold beverages before removal: Cold beverages will cause your aligners to contract slightly, which can make them harder to remove.
Always keep your aligners in a clean protective case when they are not in your mouth. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best ways to keep your realignment process on track.
About the Author
Dr. Craig R. Harder earned his dental degree at Creighton University and has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education coursework. He is certified in Invisalign and is a contributing author for Dental Economics, the world’s leading practice management journal for dentists. His office in Moses Lake offers general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as Invisalign. To learn more about proper aligner care, contact his office online or dial (509) 765-4351.