Clean Invisalign easily, says Framingham, MA dentist

Maintain Invisalign clear braces from Framingham, MA dentist, Marianna Gaitsgory, DMD, easily. Read tips to add to your daily hygiene routine.

Invisalign clear braces are an efficient and discreet orthodontic system designed to straighten teeth without the dietary restrictions, oral discomfort or obtrusive appearance of traditional metal braces. These BPA-free acrylic aligners move teeth into healthier and more aesthetically-pleasing positions and are a breeze to maintain.

What problems can Invisalign treat?

Invisalign braces treat mild to moderate orthodontic problems such as tooth rotation, crossbite, underbite, overbite and open bite. Dr. Marianna Gaitsgory carefully evaluates each Invisalign candidate with an oral exam, x-rays and 3-D imaging. She formulates a treatment plan and sends the information to a special Invisalign lab that custom-makes the aligners.

Keep your aligners clean and safe for best results

During the average treatment time of 9 to 15 months, Invisalign patients wear a series of these custom-made aligners which resemble professional  teeth whitening trays. They keep the appliances in their mouths for 20 to 22 hours per day.

Every 2 weeks or so, patients trade out their current pair for a new one which advances tooth movement according to the treatment plan outlined by Framingham, MA dentist, Dr. Gaitsgory. Patients visit Framingham Premier Dental every 4 to 6 weeks for simple progress checks, but no complex adjustments are necessary.

Plus, wearers have the ability to remove their aligners for meals and special occasions such as weddings and graduations. Because the aligners are not bonded to teeth as metal brackets and wires are, patients need not restrict their healthy diets. Hard and fibrous foods such as nuts and celery present no problems as the appliances are not worn during meals or snacks.

Also important to successful treatment is diligent oral hygiene at home. Patients brush and floss twice daily and perform simple maintenance on their Invisalign aligners. Dr. Gaitsgory and her team suggest these care tips to keep aligners safe and hygienic:

1. When brushing teeth, patients should rinse and brush their aligners gently with a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
2. If it’s not convenient to brush, thoroughly rinse the aligners with warm water,  and replace in the mouth.
3. Store aligners in a closed container to avoid bacterial contamination and damage. Take care not to leave aligners on a sink, cafeteria tray or desk where they can be lost or damaged. Avoid increased costs and increased treatment time.
4. Avoid consumption of staining beverages such as black tea, coffee, red wine and cola. Take aligners out when eating and drinking.
5. Obtain an Invisalign cleaning kit from your Framingham, MA dentist, and soak the appliances in the special Invisalign cleaning crystals. Efferdent or other quality denture soak are good alternatives.

For best results…

Be sure to follow Dr. Gaitsgory’s recommendations regarding Invisalign treatment. Good maintenance, oral hygiene and compliance with wearing the appliances each day produce straight, healthy smiles. Contact Framingham Premier Dental with your questions about Invisalign clear braces.