What to Expect When Getting Started with Invisalign

Move over, metal braces. Invisalign®, which straightens your teeth using clear plastic aligners instead of the wires and brackets of the past, gives you a more discreet way to improve your smile. To date, more than 12 million people have chosen this option over metal braces. 

If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, you might be wondering about the pros and cons. This teeth-straightening option definitely delivers serious upside. But it can take some getting used to. 

To help, Gemini Master-Patel, DMD, and our team built this guide. We don’t just want to get you started with Invisalign from our Riverside Dental offices in Yonkers and Thornwood, New York. We also want to help you navigate the adjustment period. 

So, here are a few things you can expect when you start Invisalign. 

Discomfort that should fade 

In the first few days of wearing your aligners, your teeth will likely feel sore. They’re not used to moving. Although your aligners guide your teeth into place gently and gradually, many people have some discomfort at the start of the process. You might notice this most when you’re eating.

Don’t worry. That initial discomfort is a sign that Invisalign is working. And it should fade within a few days. 

You might also have a couple of days of discomfort when you swap to your next set of aligners. As you progress through your treatment, though, most people report that the pain of a new set of aligners lessens. 

Also, you should know that this sensation isn’t unique to Invisalign. People with traditional braces report discomfort when they first start treatment and each time their braces are adjusted. 

Flexibility in when you wear your aligners

You only need to wear your aligners 20–22 hours a day (although the more you wear them, the better they’ll work). 

This means that as you adjust to life with Invisalign, you have some flexibility. If you feel awkward talking in your aligners, for example, you can take them out for a work presentation, date, or any other occasion you want. 

You also remove your Invisalign aligners to eat, so you don’t need to worry about making any modifications there. 

Your (mostly) normal oral care routine

More good news: Because you can remove your Invisalign aligners, you simply pop them out and brush and floss normally. This delivers a big advantage over metal braces, which can make brushing and flossing a challenge. 

You will need to add a step to your oral hygiene routine, though. You need to clean your aligners too. This just means brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water. Dr. Master-Patel and our team can give you more thorough aligner care instructions when we send you home with your first set. 

Invisalign takes some getting used to, but the adjustment is generally much easier than with metal braces. If you want to find out if these aligners could be right for you, call our office nearest you or book your appointment online today.