At Harman-Tinnel Complete Family Dentistry, we are proud to offer Invisalign Clear Aligners to the Overland Park community to help our patients achieve their dream smile! Our team knows how exciting it is to finally get your Invisalign applied, but we also know it can feel a little nerve-wracking at the same time! It’s okay to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness – that’s totally normal! Choosing to get clear aligners is a big step toward having a better smile, and it’s natural to have different feelings about it.
Invisalign might take a bit to get used to, but our goal is to help make your experience as seamless and positive as possible. We have some practical tips and tricks for you to help create a smooth Invisalign experience. From taking care of your teeth to watching what you eat, here’s a short list of things to help you feel ready for Invisalign.
Keep Your Teeth Super Clean
Even before Dr. Tinnel or Dr. Prinz to get your aligners, it’s important to have really clean teeth. Clean teeth help any attachments stick well, so you won’t have to come in to get an attachment replaced. It’s super important to brush and floss your teeth carefully to create a clean surface for your Invisalign. Another critical step to take before starting your Invisalign treatment is to have any fillings or crowns done. You can’t get fillings or crowns done during treatment because it will prevent your Invisalign aligners from fitting correctly.
To make sure your smile is squeaky clean, and to give Dr. Tinnel and Dr. Prinz plenty of time to complete any fillings or crowns before your Invisalign, make sure you call our office at 913-962-0036, to set up your appointment.
How to Combat Invisalign Discomfort
Right after you get your aligners, you might experience a little soreness. Don’t worry though, this is totally normal. It will take some time for your teeth and gums to adjust to the Invisalign. The discomfort and soreness usually only lasts a few days. After that, your aligners will start to feel pretty normal, and sometimes, you might even forget you’re wearing them!
Since you might feel some discomfort, it’s smart to have an Invisalign care kit ready to use at home and one to use when you’re on the go. Include some over-the-counter pain relievers, your aligner case, a toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, your favorite chapstick and a cold compress in your care kits. This will be especially helpful in the first few days after your appointment as you adjust to your new aligners.
Drink Plenty of Water
When you first get your aligners, you may experience some dry mouth as your body adjusts to the new foreign object on your teeth. The feeling of a foreign object in your mouth can cause gum inflammation and can send your body signals to produce less saliva. Less saliva can make your mouth feel pretty dry, and can even lead to dehydration, so consuming plenty of water is super important for all of our Invisalign patients at Harman-Tinnel.
Plan Your Schedule
It’ll take a few days for your mouth to adjust to the feeling of your new aligners. Think about your plans and try not to schedule important things right after your Invisalign appointment. Avoid events that require a lot of talking or eating for a few days until your mouth starts to feel normal again. After a short period, your aligners will feel totally normal and they won’t affect your day-to-day activities at all!
Take a “Before” Picture
Before you get your Invisalign, take a picture of your smile. Your smile will change as soon as you start treatment. As your teeth move, your face might change a bit too. Even if you’re not thrilled with your current smile, having a “before” picture will really help you see how far you’ve come!
Now that you have some tips and tricks to help you through the Invisalign process, are you ready to start your Invisalign journey at Harman-Tinnel Complete Family Dentistry? If so, call our office today at 913-962-0036 to schedule your complimentary consultation. We can’t wait for you to start your Invisalign treatment journey!
