Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions
Your Invisalign should be worn 20-22 hours per day. If you have a day that you’re unable to wear it this much, then just make up the time the rest of the days you’re in that specific aligner.
Those “bumps” are Invisalign attachments that are customized for you to achieve the tooth movements and final position we want! They are placed on specific areas of teeth and have specific sizes and shapes all customized to you and your tooth movement needs. We use a translucent material, so the color of your teeth is what shows through. They’re barely noticeable and MUCH better than having braces on all of your teeth!
You can only drink PLAIN water with your Invisalign in. No exceptions!
When you remove your aligners for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing, your Invisalign aligners should be kept in your black case that came in your Invisalign Welcome Kit.
The Invisalign aligners should be cleaned with either dish soap or hand soap and a designated Invisalign cleaning toothbrush. DO NOT use toothpaste to clean the Invisalign because toothpaste has abrasives and will scratch the Invisalign. The scratches in the Invisalign is what will absorb stains and bacteria. In addition, Cleaning Crystals came in your Invisalign Welcome Kit. They can be used to make your aligners extra clean, but won’t be needed routinely. If you accidently drink something with your aligners in and they are stained, you can use the Cleaning Crystals. Just dissolve the crystals in a cup/bowl of warm water and place your Invisalign aligners in the solution for 15-30 minutes.
Aligners should be changed when there is no space between the aligner and the edges of your teeth, and they have felt like they aren’t putting any pressure on your teeth for 3-5 days (7-10 days total for each aligner for the majority).
When you switch into your new aligner keep the one you just finished, but that’s the only one you need to keep. For example, when you switch to aligner three, keep number two but dispose of number one.
Yes, absolutely! This is the best time to wear them because of how human biology/physiology works and is the only way to be able to wear them for 20-22 hours/day.
Of course, no matter how careful we are, things can happen. It’s not an emergency or a big deal at all! If this happens, just move on to the next set of upper and lower aligners. Then just wear the new set for the rest of the time you were going to be in the previous set, and then for the designated time for that new set.
Yes! Download the MyInvisalign App, which can be found by scanning the QR code on your aligner bags. This app will help with everything from remembering which day to switch aligners to sharing before and after photos and videos with family and friends.
Aligner chewies are used to aid in seating the Invisalign aligners completely. They should be used at least twice daily, especially in the first two to three days in a new aligner. In order to use the aligner chewies bite down on them for 5 minutes in order to help your aligner ‘sit’ better, so it fits more securely against your teeth. New aligners may not fit tightly at first and using chewies to provide extra pressure can help straighten your teeth faster.