Just Started Invisalign® Treatment? Here’s How to Get Great Results

There’s more to Invisalign® treatment than just slipping in your aligners when it’s convenient for you. For clear aligners to work properly, you’ll need to wear them almost continually, and switch out your trays as your teeth shift into place. With help from an experienced dentist, you can track the progress of your teeth as they straighten out. 

At the practice of Dr. Padmaja Yalamanchili in Fairfax, Virginia, Dr. Yalamanchili offers Invisalign treatment for adults and teens, for a straighter, more even smile without metal brackets and wires.   

How to achieve great results with Invisalign

In recent years, clear aligners like Invisalign have come to stand toe-to-toe with traditional dental braces. They can correct many of the same orthodontic issues, including gaps, crowding, and bite issues. However, you’ll need to follow instructions to achieve the best possible results. 

Consult an experienced dentist 

Not all dentist offices knowledgeably offer Invisalign or other types of clear aligners. You want a dentist that has experience with every step of the process, from start to finish. Orthodontics is a field that requires foresight, especially when you’re planning the trajectory of someone’s smile. 

Wear them as recommended 

Braces are affixed to your teeth, which means you cannot remove them. This is inconvenient, but it allows them to apply constant pressure on your teeth at all times, shifting them faster. You can remove your clear aligner trays to eat, drink, and perform dental hygiene, but you need to wear them for at least 20-22 hours out of 24 for best results.

Change aligners according to schedule 

As your teeth begin to shift, you’ll need to change trays to continue applying pressure in the right direction. Clear aligners are manufactured to shift along with your teeth, so you only need to switch trays instead of tightening the wires and brackets. 

Track progress with your dentist 

While Invisalign doesn’t require adjustment or removal by a dentist, you still need to keep your provider updated. Dr. Yalamanchili will compare your progress to the scans she took at the beginning. If your teeth are shifting in unexpected ways, she can adjust your aligners to correct the problem. 

Wear a nighttime retainer

Once your teeth are straight, you’re free as can be — almost. Just as your teeth can shift into place, they can shift out of place as well. This is why it’s recommended that you wear a retainer to hold them in place while you sleep to prevent them from drifting back to their original position. 

Interested in straightening your smile with Invisalign? Learn more about clear aligners and find out whether they’re right for you by calling 703-213-5312, or book a consultation online.