Busting Myths & Assumptions
Welcome to the halfway mark! I am currently wearing my 24th tray – the last in my second box. Next week, I’ll visit my friends at the Smiles office to learn what’s next and move forward with a new set of trays.
I may be no expert, but I’m the expert of my own experience. The team at Smiles ARE experts, so today I’ll be answering some questions and busting some myths!
ASSUMPTION ONE - Invisalign is extremely painful.
As my mom likes to say, “we are all snowflakes'“ – and thus have different thresholds for pain. I was told to expect soreness for the first few days.
From my perspective, the very first few days of with Invisalign were uncomfortable and achy, but not extremely painful. With that said, I would suggestion you begin treatment on a week where you can give yourself grace to adjust.
I was advised that I could manage pain with Tylenol or Advil and I only took an Advil the first and second night before bed. As the muscles in the gums loosen and get used to giving way, this was when I found the most soreness. If I were to do it again, I would treat the pain a little more frequently over the 3-4 days to keep myself comfortable because it really was just for a few days in the very beginning for me.
I did a bit of reading and found a tip online that when it’s time to move to the next set of trays, apply the new ones as you go to bed. This has been a game changer for me. Changing trays always feel a little tight, but I am able to sleep through that initial transition.
ASSUMPTION TWO - Invisalign is a better option than braces because you can take them out and give yourself a break on special occasions.
You are instructed to wear your trays for 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, brush, floss, or drink beverages other than water. If you spend more than 2 hours a day without your trays in, you risk deviated from your treatment plan and your teeth won’t move into their correct positions according to the series of trays that have been created.
The app has a tool that allows you to track time when your aligners are out, however I personally have not been that exact.
ASSUMPTION THREE - Traditional braces are easier to maintain.
Because the Invisalign trays can be removed during eating, and your should brush before putting them back on, plaque and food debris will not be getting caught in the braces and causing damage to your teeth. You can eat, floss and brush comfortably in the same way you would normally do, keeping in mind the importance of oral hygiene. With traditional braces, a special tool is used to feed floss through the wires of the braces, which can be quite frustrating and time-intentensive.
ASSUMPTION FOUR - I don’t want to get Invisalign for my teen because they are too young for it.
Invisalign can be offered to youth, in fact ‘Invisalign First’ has been created just for them! These trays allow for baby teeth, missing, and erupting teeth. Invisalign Teen is another option available.
ASSUMPTION FIVE - Invisalign can not correct bite issues.
Invisalign can be use to treat bite issues both simple and complex. In cases of crowding, jaw problems, missing teeth, large gaps, etc., elastics added to the Invisalign can correct these issues.
ASSUMPTION FIVE - I won’t get Invisalign because I will probably lose trays and they would be thousands of dollars to replace.
Because the trays offer gradual movement to the teeth, in most cases if you lose a tray, you can move back to your previous set or forward early to the next. I personally made the common mistake of putting my trays in a napkin at a restaurant and forgetting them there. When I went home, I simply applied the next set and moved on. The app and ability to text the office makes it easy to check with the team for assistance.