Keeping Invisalign Clear Aligners Clean
For years, you would need to get metal braces if you wanted a straighter smile. Now, we use Invisalign® clear aligners for many cases! There are some differences between braces and Invisalign®, including the fact that clear aligners are removed for cleaning. How do you keep them in good shape? Here are some tips:
Rinse Your Aligners Every Time You Take Them Out
You remove Invisalign clear aligners every time you eat or drink something that’s not water. We recommend taking the opportunity to rinse your Invisalign. The dried spit and plaque on the clear aligners attract bacteria, so rinsing them throughout the day keeps them cleaner.
Soak Your Invisalign When You’re Not Wearing Them
Rinsing isn’t the only thing you should do when you’re not wearing your aligners. They should be protected from germs in the air, so they should ideally go into their tray with a soaking solution. You can use denture cleaner or the official Invisalign cleaning crystals. Rinse off the aligners before you put them back in your mouth.
Brush Your Teeth Before You Put Your Aligners Back In
You don’t want to wear clean aligners on unbrushed teeth. Food will get smashed right against your teeth. After eating, always brush before putting your Invisalign back in.
Clean Your Aligners With a Toothbrush
You should clean your aligners with a toothbrush and clear antibacterial soap twice a day. While you brush your teeth is a great time for this routine. Why clear soap? Colored soaps can tint the color of the plastic. Toothpaste is too abrasive.
Don’t Use Hot Water
Whether you’re rinsing or cleaning your Invisalign, never use hot water. Hot water can warp the shape of the plastic. Even a slight change in their fit can affect how well the aligners work.
Invisalign at North Richland Hills Dentistry
At our North Richland Hills office, Dr. Desai and the team are committed to high-quality dental care. Invisalign clear aligners are a great alternative to braces and work for a variety of alignment issues. Because they’re removable, it’s easier to keep both your teeth and the aligners clean during your treatment. Interested in learning more about Invisalign? Please contact us today!
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The Differences Between Braces & Invisalign
In our modern world, we have more choices than ever. Just walk into any grocery store and you’ll be confronted by a seemingly endless number of variations of the same product. Things have changed in the dental industry as well as new advancements give rise to more treatment possibilities. When it comes to orthodontics, this is no exception. If you decide to straighten your teeth, you’ll have to decide whether you want to get braces or Invisalign. So what’s the difference and how do you decide? Here’s the scoop on the two main differences:
The Appearance
One of the most notable differences between braces and Invisalign is also the most noticeable. Traditional braces have a much more prominent look due to their use of brackets and wires. Some practices now offer the option of clear brackets and tooth-colored wires to disguise the appearance of braces, but the fact remains that there is an appliance fashioned to the outside of your teeth.
Invisalign, on the other hand, is chosen by many patients specifically because it has a very subtle look. Instead of metal hardware, this treatment uses fitted plastic aligners made from clear plastic material. This means that they blend into your teeth much more seamlessly.
The Convenience
Like briefly mentioned previously, braces are fixed onto the outside of your teeth, which means there’s no taking them off once they’re on. Invisalign aligners, however, can be popped on and off. Because of this, you can continue to brush and floss your teeth like normal when undergoing Invisalign treatment. You can also eat without any food restrictions since there’s no concern of food getting stuck and messing up the orthodontic hardware.
On the flip side, this also means that brace's patients don’t have to remember when to put their orthodontics back on. Invisalign patients must be diligent about keeping their aligners on for the right amount of time—and also not misplacing them when they take them off!
Come In & Consult with Us!
If you still have some questions about how these two orthodontic treatments differ, we invite you to come into North Richland Hills Dentistry for a consultation. Our team will be happy to help you figure out what’s best for your smile! To schedule a consultation, contact us today!
Can Problems with Teeth Give You a Headache?
Sometimes, dealing with the side effects of a dental problem can feel like a headache. Other times, your teeth may be directly responsible for your headache! Today, we want to discuss some of the ways your teeth and mouth can be responsible for your headaches so you can get the answers and treatment you need to feel your best.
Grinding Your Teeth Can Lead to Headaches
Do you grind your teeth at night? In addition to potential damage to your teeth from grinding, nocturnal teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) can lead to headaches during the day. Grinding your teeth at night puts additional strain on your jaw muscles that can cause tension headaches. In order to treat tooth grinding and alleviate the resulting headaches, our team will work to determine the root cause of your teeth grinding. Common causes include stress, bite alignment issues, and sleep apnea.
Jaw Issues & Headaches
A misaligned bite can cause ripple effects throughout your head and mouth. When your bite is off, the muscles in your jaw need to work harder to help you chew and talk. This results in muscle strain along with popping, clicking, and locking in the jaw. Even worse, this can cause pain to radiate throughout your head and cause headaches. To treat alignment issues, Dr. Desai may turn to orthodontic options or a custom oral appliance that gently shifts the position of your jaw while you sleep.
Toothaches & Headaches
Toothaches resulting from cavities and infections can also lead to headache pain. However, headaches caused by tooth decay are typically just on one side of the head and can be eased by treating the damaged tooth through root canal therapy, fillings, or through other means.
Contact Us for Treatment Options
If you’ve been living with regular headaches, our team wants to help. The first step in treating your headaches will be to determine the root cause. Then, we will work together to come up with a treatment plan that gives you the relief you need. To ask our team any questions or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!
Are Invisalign or Braces Better?
For patients interested in a straighter smile, the decision between Invisalign and traditional metal braces can be a difficult one. The two treatments have many differences and it can be tough to determine which one is the best fit for you. If you’re interested in orthodontic treatment, a consultation with Dr. Desai can recommend the better option depending on the type of treatment you need, your personal goals, and your budget.
What Kind of Orthodontic Treatment Do You Need?
Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that uses a new aligner every two weeks to gradually straighten your teeth. Invisalign can treat issues like misalignment, gaps, and overcrowding. However, more severe issues may require traditional metal braces for effective treatment. Our team can tell you which treatment is the best fit for you depending on the scope of the work you need.
What Are Your Goals?
If your goal is for your orthodontic treatment to be as subtle and convenient as possible, you may opt for Invisalign. Unlike traditional metal braces with their brackets and wires, Invisalign aligners are invisible. You can also remove Invisalign while you eat, allowing you to continue to enjoy your favorite foods and drinks during your orthodontic treatment.
What Is Your Budget?
Once we determine the scope of your orthodontic treatment, our team will have a better estimate of the cost. Typically, traditional metal braces are the more affordable option. We offer multiple payment and financing options to help you fit orthodontic treatment into your budget.
During your consultation for orthodontic treatment, our team will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan that meets your goals, fits your budget, and delivers you the smile of your dreams. To ask us any questions about orthodontic treatment or to schedule your consultation, contact our office today!
Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
Are you considering straightening your smile with Invisalign® clear aligners? If you're wondering if this is the right treatment for you, Dr. Desai and the North Richland Hills Dentistry team want to help you. We've taken a look at the pros and cons of Invisalign so you can make an informed decision. Schedule a consultation with us to go over your orthodontics options and get started on a treatment plan.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign offers wearers so many benefits, and that's why we love it so much at North Richland Hills Dentistry! For patients with mild to moderate spacing, alignment, or bite issues, Invisalign can help them get the smile of their dreams. Invisalign moves teeth gradually and gently, so it's comfortable. The smooth plastic trays don't cut or irritate cheeks or gums, either, like metal braces tend to do. The trays are completely removable, so forget about giving up your favorite foods. You don't have to! Just pop the trays out to eat, drink, brush, or floss, and then pop them back in when you're done. Hands down the best part of Invisalign, though? The "invis" part! Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible, so no one needs to know you're wearing them unless you want to tell!
What Are the Downsides?
Invisalign isn't for people needing to make drastic changes to the spacing or alignment of their teeth, or big changes to their bite. That's best left to metal braces. When you remove the Invisalign aligners to eat or drink, you need to be very diligent about brushing and flossing before you put your aligners back in. Otherwise, you risk trapping food particles against your teeth and allowing bacteria to form, causing decay and cavities. You also need to be diligent about wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours each day. If you don't stick to this, you won't get the results you're hoping for from your treatment.
To discuss whether Invisalign is right for you, call North Richland Hills Dentistry to schedule an Invisalign consultation. Dr. Desai will discuss your needs and lifestyle and help you make the best decision for your smile. Ready to live life behind your best smile? Get started now!