Invisalign Ultimate Guide

• – Wear your aligners all the time!  (20-22 hours a day)  If you fall below the 20 hour mark, your treatment results may be affected. Using the Invisalign App is helpful to track the number of hours you wear your aligners for.
• – You should wear your aligners for additional days to help make up for 1-2 days of insufficient wear.
• – Remove your aligners to brush your teeth, eat, or drink anything other than water to avoid staining or damaging your teeth.
• – Brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in after eating.  If you cannot brush at least swish with water to remove any debris.
• – The best time to switch to a new aligner is at night before you go to sleep.
• – You should always bring the set you are currently wearing to your appointments. We cannot proceed with more aligners unless we verify that the aligners are working and fitting properly.
• – Avoid switching your aligner right before your appointment.  Ideally the aligner you wear to your appointment should be worn for a few days.

• – Place your aligners with finger pressure only.  Do NOT bite the aligner into place.  This will cause your aligner to crack/break.
  – Removing your aligners is simple.  Simply loosen your upper aligner by using your index finger on the tongue side and pull downward.  Once loosened grab aligner and peel away from teeth.  Lower aligners can be loosened by using your thumb on the cheek side of the aligner and pushing upward.
  – Sometimes one side is harder to remove than the other.  If you struggle on one side, try the other!

• – Dental pain, soreness & discomfort are common on the first few days of treatment. You may also experience subtle speech changes, dry mouth, or even extra saliva! These symptoms typically last for a few days and go away once you get used to the aligners.
  – Attachments do feel rough/sharp the first few days.  They smooth down very quickly!
  – Allergic reactions to aligners are extremely rare. If you suspect you’re developing an allergic reaction (lip or facial swelling or redness) please stop wearing your aligners and contact us immediately.

• – You can simply brush your aligners with your toothbrush!
  – You can also soak aligners in Invisalign cleaning crystals or store bought denture cleaning tablets for a deeper clean. Add one tablet to a cup of cold water and soak the aligners for 2-3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterward and use a toothbrush for additional cleaning if necessary.
  – Please avoid soaking your aligners in harsh chemical cleaners or hot water.
• – Keep all aligners inside the box provided; return each aligner to the bag with the correct number.  Keep all previous aligner sets; sometimes your treatment will require us to go back a few sets.
  – Do not wrap your aligners in a paper towel for quick storage.  This is the #1 way patients lose aligners!
• – Keep your aligners away from pets, especially dogs; as they love to chew on them!

• – New aligner pain/discomfort is normal!  This will get better within a few weeks.  It is ok to take pain relivers as needed during this time.
  – Broken attachments are not an emergency.  They can be replaced at your next scheduled office visit.
  – If an area on your aligner feels rough or is bothering you; we recommend  using a nail file to smooth the area!  If the aligner is still causing pain after that please let us know and we can assess it for you.

• – Chewies are small rubber sticks that help your teeth move according to plan, when used consistently
  – Use as directed every day, for 10 minutes a day.
  – Chewies can also be focused on a single tooth is you notice one tooth not fitting as well as the others.

• – If your aligner gets lost or broken:
  – Have you been wearing the aligner for 1-4 days?  Then go back to wearing the previous aligner and contact the office to order a replacement.
  – Have you been wearing the aligner for 5-10 days?  Then go ahead and put in the next aligner!
  – If a replacement is required: it is important to wear the previous aligner.  This will make sure the new set fits properly and your treatment is not delayed further.

Please keep an eye on your teeth throughout treatment. Aligners should fit perfectly on all of your teeth throughout treatment. This is called tracking and should be monitored closely. If you notice one or more teeth not fitting properly use the chewies consistently, and inform the staff at your next visit to our office in Hinsdale to have them evaluate.

Please let us of any issues you’re experiencing or any concerns you may have. We are here to help and make sure you get the most out of your Invisalign treatment.

Dr. Ramzi Daibis & Dr. Tamara Oweis are board-certified orthodontists. They specializes exclusively in braces and Invisalign for children and adults. Band & Wire Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry serves Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Westmont, Downers Grove, Oak Brook, Willowbrook, Burr Ridge, Western Springs, La Grange, La Grange Park and Chicago.