Life with Invisalign®

The most important variable for the success of your aligner treatment is your compliance to wear the aligners as instructed. Aligners need to be worn at minimum 22 hours per day, without exception. This includes faithful wear of rubber bands, if indicated, during treatment. Your aligners will be changed on a weekly basis, unless otherwise notified by Dr. McKinney.

The most important indicator of your readiness to change into your next aligner is the overall fit, or passiveness, of your aligners. Your aligners should have no visible space seen between the edge of the teeth and the aligner itself when you are ready to change. If a gap exists, aligner chewies should be used faithfully until the aligner fits properly. To use the chewie, bite down and hold in the area where the aligner needs to fit better for about 5 seconds, then release. Repeat this process for 10 minutes at a time, up to 3 times per day, until the gap is reduced.

Your Invisalign treatment will come with multiple sets of aligners. Dr. McKinney will give you specific instructions on when to open and use each new set. Each new set of aligners will slowly move your teeth into a new position, so you could feel added pressure for a few days at this time. Be sure to continue to wear your final aligner until your next appointment with Dr. McKinney.

With aligners, you can have all your favorite foods! Just be sure to take out your aligners before you enjoy them! Never eat or drink anything with aligners in place - clear water only, and always brush your teeth after eating, before continuing wear of aligners. Your aligners should be cleaned regularly with toothpaste and cool water.

If for any reason your next appointment has to be cancelled or changed, continue to wear your last aligner full time until we see you. It is very important that you do not stop wearing them, or your teeth will move out of alignment.