5 tips for getting the most out of your aligner treatment

Well, you finally took the plunge. You booked those aligners and are well on the way to getting a smile makeover. While you may follow all the instructions to a T, there’s always something extra you can do to get the absolute best results.

If you are wondering how you can go the extra mile, read on.

1. Keep track of your treatment schedule

When you receive your smile makeover plan, you will be given a schedule of your treatment. It would tell you how long you would have to wear the aligners and how many aligners you would need to complete the treatment.

Make sure you stick to that schedule. Be aware of when you need to switch to the next set of aligners. Either set a reminder on your phone or mark it on the calendar so that you don’t forget.

Forgetting when to switch to a new set won’t necessarily set you back but it will prolong your results. Stay in touch with your orthodontist to track your progress.

2. Commit to wearing them for the prescribed time

Clear aligners will only work if you wear them for the prescribed time of 20-22 hours each day. You may want to take them out for certain occasions like a party or an interview but remember to put them back on. Try to limit such occasions.

In fact, you wouldn’t really have to take them out for any occasion except when you eat, brush and floss because they are transparent. Nobody will really notice that you have aligners on. So, keep them in for the recommended time and you will be seeing the results on time.

3. Go for IPR if needed

IPR or Interproximal Reduction is an additional procedure that you may need before you use the aligners. This process helps in creating ‘space’ for your teeth to move in their right positions.

Suppose your teeth are crowded and there isn’t enough space for the tooth movement. In that case, the dentist will remove a small amount of enamel between certain teeth. They will determine where exactly space is needed to move the teeth and by how much.

If you do require IPR, get it done. It is a painless process and will help with getting great results at the end of the treatment.

4. Monitor your diet

When you start using the aligners, the mouth will consider it as a foreign object and react to it. Some people may produce extra saliva as the mouth would like to clean out the ‘obstruction’. This may lead to dehydration. So, drink lots and lots of water.

You need to time your meals as well because you can take out aligners for just 2 hours a day. Eat nutritious food that will benefit your oral health.

5. Use a retainer after your treatment

Think the job is done once the last set of aligners come off? Well, not really. Once you are done with aligners, you need to diligently use a retainer. Your newly aligned teeth will need time to settle in the jawbone and soft tissue. A retainer will keep the teeth in their new positions after your aligners come off.

If you are wondering why you need retainers, read this. 

Last but not the least, maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. You must keep your aligners clean at all times. If you skip either of these activities, you would be inviting bacteria, eventually leading to plaque build-up.

To learn more about aligners and smile makeover, contact us at toothsi.