Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
Gaining self-assurance at work, on date nights, in pictures, or in the classroom can be as simple as straightening your teeth. Invisalign® may be the answer if you are self-conscious about your teeth without having to get metal braces. Our Okemos cosmetic dentist, Dr. Christine Tenaglia of Tenaglia Smiles, provides more instructions for swapping out your Invisalign aligners.
How does Invisalign work?
Our Lansing cosmetic dentist that offers Invisalign will begin by developing a customized treatment plan by first taking digital scans of your upper and lower teeth. Once your records are complete, they will be sent to a lab that makes your custom Invisalign trays.
You will receive multiple sets of trays that are made according to your treatment plan. When ready, patients return to the office to try out their initial set of trays. We’ll give you complete guidelines for how to use and maintain them.
You must wear Invisalign for approximately 22 hours per day for it to be effective and to stay on track with your progress. You should only remove trays when eating or cleaning your teeth. Patients should return to Dr. Tenaglia for checkups every few weeks to monitor their progress and receive their new set of trays. You can expect the best results from your Invisalign treatment if you maintain a regular schedule of tray cleanings and other oral hygiene procedures throughout your treatment.
How do I care for the Invisalign trays?
In addition to swapping out your trays every few weeks, Okemos Invisalign providers suggest several other measures to improve your dental hygiene and the progress you’ve made with your Invisalign treatment.
- Mark Your Calendar – Keep a calendar for when the trays need to be swapped out and when you need to schedule appointments.
- Start New Trays at Night – The discomfort from new trays is to be expected. Therefore, we can assume that they are effective. Putting on fresh trays at night can help alleviate some of the discomforts you may feel during the day. We suggest taking over-the-counter pain relievers for the first few days after switching to a new set of trays.
- Manage Your Diet – We advise against eating snacks frequently throughout the day because you will need to remove your trays. Instead, try to keep your trays on throughout the day and stick to three main meals. If your doctor or dietitian has placed dietary restrictions on you, you must adhere to them.
- Drink Water – Staying hydrated is especially important, but stick to water, especially between meals. Otherwise, you should remove your aligners to drink anything else.
- Store Them When Not in Use – When not in use, the trays should be stored inside their protective case. Keeping the trays in a case will keep you from losing or damaging them.
How long is the treatment period for Invisalign?
It can take about a year to complete the treatment if you follow our care instructions and wear the trays for the recommended 22 hours per day. The time it takes to straighten your teeth will vary depending on your unique situation and the severity of the problem. However, our Invisalign dentist in Lansing will explain the duration of your treatment, what you can expect, and help you schedule the procedure.
Invisalign Providers in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
A crooked or misaligned smile can make you feel self-conscious about the way you look, especially when you’re involved in a social situation, such as an interview or a first date. Fortunately, Invisalign clear aligner trays can discreetly straighten your smile and help restore your self-confidence. So, to get started on your journey to a straight smile, contact our Okemos cosmetic dental office, Tenaglia Smiles, by calling (517) 347-6733 or contacting us online to schedule an appointment.