When it comes to straightening their teeth, many of our patients prefer Invisalign. After all, Invisalign clear aligners help you achieve a straighter, more symmetrical, and more aesthetic smile—and look discreet in the process! They’re subtler than traditional metal braces and require fewer orthodontist visits. Plus, they’re just as effective for correcting minor to mild tooth misalignment.
Most Invisalign treatments are also quicker. Whereas you may have to wear metal braces for one to three years, Invisalign treatments can last as little as six months. In more severe cases, Invisalign can take nine to eighteen months to move teeth into the desired positions.
However, the sooner your treatment is complete, the sooner you can start showing off your new smile. So, even though Invisalign is already an efficient method for straightening your smile, many patients want to accelerate their treatment. There are a few ways to do this.
1. Use AcceleDent
AcceleDent distributes calibrated micro-pulses into your teeth to help them move more efficiently. The vibrations travel through your teeth to your jawbone, stimulating blood flow and cellular activity. It essentially increases the speed at which your jawbone remodels, which means your teeth can move faster.
Invisalign works by applying subtle, precise pressure to each tooth. This pressure causes the bone around the tooth to remodel as the tooth shifts slowly to a new position.
The faster the bone remodelling occurs, the faster your tooth moves. AcceleDent’s SoftPulse technology accelerates this remodelling process. Many patients also find that AcceleDent reduces discomfort during their Invisalign treatment.
Simply by including AcceleDent in your Invisalign treatment plan, your teeth can move up to 50% faster. This means you can switch to the next set of aligners far quicker and, ultimately, finish your entire treatment much sooner.
2. Wear your aligners for at least 22 hours every day
When patients complain that their treatment is taking longer than expected or that they’re not seeing much improvement, it’s usually because they’re not wearing their aligners enough. You need to wear your Invisalign trays for 22 hours a day. Otherwise, you won’t see the desired results, and your treatment will take far longer.
During your Invisalign consultation, you’ll likely be told that your aligners need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours daily. However, you should aim for at least 22 hours every day. Mississauga orthodontists recommend this number for a reason—they’re not pulling it out of thin air!
Your teeth will only move into the proper position because of constant, subtle pressure from the Invisalign aligners. If you’re not wearing them for the required amount of time every day, your teeth will not move (or won’t move at the desired speed).
Remember, you need to remove your aligners to eat, drink, and clean your teeth and trays. Wearing your aligners for 22 hours daily leaves two hours for these activities. If you’re not eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, or cleaning, you need to be wearing your Invisalign.
3. Get attachments
In some cases, SmartForce attachments can speed up treatment by making your Invisalign aligners more precise and effective. Not all patients need (or would benefit from) these attachments. Simpler cases can often be treated effectively without them, so be sure to ask your Mississauga orthodontist for more information.
SmartForce attachments (also known as buttons) are affixed to the surface of some of your teeth with a special dental glue. Since they’re small, tooth-coloured, and fit underneath the aligners, they’re almost impossible to see.
These attachments act as grips for your trays, helping hold them in place and ensuring a perfect fit. They stay on your teeth for the duration of your treatment. Once treatment is complete, the buttons are easily and painlessly removed with professional dental instruments. They do not damage your teeth.
Your Invisalign trays must fit properly for treatment to be effective and efficient. SmartForce accelerates the movement of your teeth by ensuring a better fit, which means that the right amount of pressure is better applied in the right places.
If an attachment becomes loose or falls off during your treatment, do not scrape away the remaining material. Instead, contact your orthodontist. We’ll remove the adhesive and re-attach the buttons during your next visit.
4. Use Invisalign chewies
Every new set of Invisalign trays differs slightly from the current position of your teeth. This is what creates the necessary pressure to guide your teeth into the desired spots. However, this tight fit can also make it harder to get the aligner properly situated. That’s where Invisalign chewies come in.
Invisalign chewies are soft plastic cylinders designed to help your aligner fit better. By gently biting down and chewing on the chewie for several minutes, you remove air bubbles between your teeth and the aligner. This repeated biting action helps the aligner better conform to the shape of your teeth.
An ill-fitting aligner can slow your Invisalign treatment. Consequently, Invisalign chewies can help keep your treatment on schedule. Here’s how to use chewies effectively:
- Typically, you should use chewies with a new aligner, when you’re putting an aligner back in after eating or cleaning your teeth, or if you notice an area of your mouth where the aligner isn’t fitting properly.
- Place the chewie between your teeth and bite down repeatedly for several seconds.
- Move the chewie to a different area of the mouth and bite down for several more seconds.
- Use the chewie for around 5 minutes twice per day.
5. Follow your orthodontist’s instructions
Delays to your Invisalign treatment often occur because a patient has failed to follow their orthodontist’s instructions. You already know the importance of wearing your aligners for at least 20 hours per day (ideally, 22 hours in total). However, there are other things you need to do to ensure an effective and efficient treatment.
For example, you should switch to a new set of aligners every 1 to 2 weeks, or whenever your orthodontist tells you to. This keeps your treatment progressing at the proper rate.
You should not try to speed up treatment by switching your trays early. Not only is this painful, but it can damage your aligners, move your teeth incorrectly, and delay your treatment.
You also need to stick to your appointment schedule. Invisalign requires fewer trips to the orthodontist than traditional braces; however, these checkups are still essential. It’s very important that you visit Bristol Dental Clinic every eight to twelve weeks to meet with your orthodontist. We monitor your progress, and you go home with new trays.
Bristol Dental Clinic: Your Orthodontist in Mississauga
Are you dreaming of a straighter, more perfect smile? Ask your orthodontist about Invisalign! Bristol Dental Clinic offers orthodontic dentistry using Invisalign clear aligners. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
To book an appointment with an orthodontist in Mississauga, call Bristol Dental Clinic at 866-673-2109 or contact us here.
