What should I expect during treatment?
Wearing clear aligners is usually painless, but there will be brief periods—lasting days rather than weeks—when the new aligners might cause some discomfort.
- People may notice your teeth and ask, “What are you wearing on your teeth?”
- Your bite might feel different at times as your teeth move into new positions.
- You could experience a slight lisp at first as you adjust to speaking with the aligner.
- You might have small bumps, called "attachments'' or "buttons," on the aligner to assist in moving your teeth.
Will the aligners cause pain? How comfortable are they?
It is quite normal to feel some tenderness or sensitivity during the initial days of wearing a new aligner. However, as you continue to wear them, they become more comfortable. Sores and irritation can happen but are uncommon.
The aligners might temporarily impact your speech, but most people adjust quickly, and it is rare for speech to be affected for a long period. You might also notice a temporary increase in saliva or dryness in your mouth.
Are the aligners difficult to maintain? How do I clean them?
No, the aligners are quite easy to keep clean. However, it's important to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease, decalcification (permanent markings on the teeth), or gum inflammation.
Most aligners can be cleaned using a toothbrush and cool water. It is also recommended to use a non-abrasive toothpaste. Cleaning instructions are provided on every bag of new aligners.
I’ve noticed people with bumps on their aligners – what are they?
Depending on your treatment plan, it might be necessary to temporarily attach these bumps to your teeth. They are made of a tooth-colored composite material and help with more challenging tooth movements. When you’re not wearing your aligners, they might feel a bit awkward, but don't worry—they're easy to remove and are only used when absolutely necessary.
How long will my treatment take?
The duration of your treatment depends entirely on the goals you set with your doctor and the amount of correction needed. Sometimes, treatment time may exceed initial estimates. Factors such as poor compliance, missed appointments, excessive bone growth, poor oral hygiene, and broken appliances can extend treatment time, increase costs, and affect the quality of your results.
Treatment time can also vary significantly based on individual health and physiology. Much of orthodontic tooth movement depends on metabolism and bone remodeling. Additionally, the rate of tooth movement is not always linear and depends on the type of movement being performed. For these reasons, treatment times are estimates based on your doctor's clinical examination and experience.
What is the recommended daily wear schedule?
You should wear the aligners for 22 hours a day, removing them only for meals and for brushing and flossing before reinserting them. If you do not wear the aligners for the full 22 hours, the corrective process can be interrupted and may even begin to reverse within a few hours. It can then take several days to get back on track. Consistently wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day is crucial to achieving your treatment goals.
Do I have to wear the aligners forever? What happens when my treatment is finished?
While you will wear the treatment aligners for a specific period based on your treatment goals, you may need to wear retainers for an extended period to maintain the results. The duration of retainer use depends on the stability of your treatment outcome.