Like our patients in Bowling Green, Russellville, Portland, and White House, you’re most likely looking forward to getting your first Invisalign clear aligners. At Wiesemann Orthodontics, we often receive questions about monitoring progress while using clear aligner trays.
After all, there’s this satisfaction of concretely seeing your smile turn from crooked and unhealthy to straight and beautiful. As a Platinum Provider of Invisalign clear aligners, we have listed four tips for monitoring your clear aligner progress. We’ll also share the importance of consistency during your treatment.
Take a Good Look At Yourself
We know you’re excited to get your dream smile. But as with metal braces, clear braces, and retainers, Invisalign treatment is not an overnight journey. It can take at least two to three weeks before changes start to show up in your smile — albeit subtly.
Look at a mirror or take selfies from different angles. Whether you have an overbite, underbite, or gapped teeth, here are some changes to look out for in your smile:
- Less space between teeth
- Less overlap between the upper and lower teeth
- Straighter teeth
If you start to notice these changes, it can only mean one thing: Your Invisalign is working as intended. As you go through your treatment journey, we recommend documenting your progress in a journal or a scrapbook — either physical or digital. From there, you can add your selfies and write the date and time of your follow-up appointment. You can even include if it’s your first, second, or third Invisalign clear aligner set.
Because clear aligner treatment often lasts an average of 9 to 18 months, your scrapbook or journal will be filled with memories of your journey with Dr. Ryan Wiesemann and his smile team. It’s more than a virtual or physical memorabilia, but a testament to your determination and commitment.
Visit Dr. Wiesemann for An Appointment
Every four to six weeks, your pearly whites deserve a tune-up in the form of regular appointments — the staple of your Invisalign treatment. During these appointments, Dr. Wiesemann and our team will assess the following:
- The alignment of your teeth
- Overall oral health
- Clear aligner fit
Depending on our feedback, you may be asked to wear a new set of clear aligner trays or continue using your old one. Missing an appointment may result in your teeth reverting to their original positions, delaying your treatment.
Leverage the Power of Technology
Not a creative or pen-and-paper type of person? Thankfully, we live in the digital age. With plenty of progress-tracking apps for clear aligners, choosing the right one is like finding a needle in a haystack.
To make things easier, we recommend the My Invisalign app by Align Technology. On top of tracking clear aligner wear time, it also lets you see your smile’s progress from the palm of your hand.
This motivates you to comply with our instructions and follow through with your clear aligner journey. Besides that, the app makes communicating with Dr. Wiesemann easier, so you can receive adequate support even if you’re not in our Bowling Green, Russellville, Portland, or White House clinic.
Alternatively, you can use your phone’s built-in calendar to set reminders for your next appointment.
Check Your Clear Aligners
Whether it’s your first or second clear aligners, they should feel a little tight on your teeth — applying a gentle pressure sensation that enables teeth movement. It’s temporary, though, so it should go away after a few days.
The longer you wear your Invisalign clear aligners, the looser it gets. This means your teeth have adjusted to the appliance and started to align. For us, that’s a good sign. We’ll also replace your old clear aligners with a new one, so expect to feel that sensation again.
Why Is Consistency Important In My Clear Aligner Progress?
Everyone loves the idea of reaching their goals until they have to put in the work. Like setting any other goal, Invisalign treatment involves consistency and discipline. Because clear aligner trays are not fixed on your teeth, their removability is a double-edged sword.
While you have freedom over your dietary choices, it also means you can leave your aligners unworn for extended periods. As a rule of thumb, your aligners must be in your mouth for 20 to 22 hours.
Recommended by Dr. Wiesemann and other orthodontists, this schedule ensures the optimal progression of your treatment, resulting in consistent teeth alignment and a more beautiful smile after every appointment. Non-compliance, however, leads to delayed treatment and unwanted movement
Your Smile Deserves a Glow-Up
From showing up at appointments to tracking your progress, Invisalign treatment involves a layer of responsibility to achieve your goal of sporting a radiant and healthy smile. Don’t worry, Dr. Wiesemann and our expert team are just a call or a visit away. Schedule an appointment with us and let’s give your smile the radiance it deserves.