Aligner technique: Invisalign
Orthodontic treatment with aligners
Treatments with aligners (transparent aligners) allow for discreet smile enhancement with minimal stress.
The dental alignment is done thanks to successive aligners, which are removed during meals.
The treatment therefore depends entirely on you, and your motivation to wear the aligners.
What does the treatment consist of?
First of all, we will scan your initial occlusion, to submit it to a virtual treatment plan: this is the « Clin Check » which allows you to visualize the main steps of your treatment. New scans will be necessary during the treatment, to reassess the progress of the treatment.
The appointment for the installation of the aligners
The first session is the longest: the doctor tries out the aligners and glues on some teeth « pieces » or “buttons” of the color of your teeth which allow :
to improve the retention of the aligners
to promote dental movements
to hang rubber bands
Pain may appear in the first few days following the installation, of two types:
– dental, due to the movement of the teeth initiated by the aligners.
– injuries, pieces stuck on your teeth can lead to “mouth ulcers” by friction.
To alleviate these discomforts, we will prescribe paracetamol and hyalugel®.
Excessive salivation or too little salivation may bother you and this can last up to 1 week. We advise you to moisturize your lips during 1 week at a rate of 3 times / day and to drink more often.
Inserting the aligners on your teeth
The aligners are numbered in ascending order: check the number of the aligner before inserting it in the mouth.
Wash your hands well before handling them.
Insert one aligner after the other.
Gently push the aligner over the teeth. Then apply even pressure with your fingertips over your molars until you feel that the aligner is well inserted at the bottom.
Never crunch on your aligners to put them in place, it will damage them and you will risk deforming them.
Use « chewies » to help the aligners fit into the bottom.
Removal of aligners
The aligners are removed only at mealtime and for brushing.
Using your fingers, start on the side of the molars and pull up the aligner on each side gently.
Rinse the aligners with cold water, remove excess water and dry them before storing them in their box.
Do not apply too much force to remove the aligners, as this may deform them or loosen the pieces used for treatment.
Hygiene and care
Dental hygiene
Remove your aligners for eating and drinking, except for drinking water.
Brush your teeth after every meal or snack before putting your aligners back in.
Daily care
Clean your aligners before each insertion with a toothbrush, cold water and toothpaste or a pH neutral soap.
If you store them in their box before eating, clean and dry them.
If you find that they are staining, you can occasionally soak them in diluted white vinegar.
The aligners are either in your mouth or in their box.
The treatment process
Your Cooperation
To ensure that your orthodontic aligner treatment progresses smoothly, it is very important that you understand each step of your treatment.
The aligners must be worn 22 hours a day, day and night, except when eating and brushing.
Dental pain is possible with each change of aligner, during the first 2 hours of wear. We advise you to change aligners in the evening because the night allows the adaptation without being aware of this tension.
Don’t miss your appointments, which are held every 6 to 12 weeks, to ensure that your treatment goes smoothly.
Change of aligners
The aligners are designed to move your teeth gradually, so it is very important to wear the aligners in the right order and for the prescribed length of time which is 8 to 20 days as prescribed by Dr Medio.
Elastic and stripping
As with any orthodontic treatment, whether with brackets or aligners, the use of elastics may be required; these will be explained according to Dr Medio’s prescription.
The alignment of the teeth and the stability of the treatment may require a slight interproximal reduction: this is called « stripping ». It allows to polish the interdental spaces, to support the correction of the encumbrance and the dental movements.
Emergencies
If an aligner breaks or you lose it, move on to the next aligner. Under no circumstances should treatment be interrupted.
If a piece or button comes off, let us know by e-mail (info@orthodontie-bordeaux.com) or by phone : 05 56 111 888, we will advise whether or not it is necessary to make an appointment quickly.
