Invisalign invisible aligners Archives

My Invisalign dentist is rude!

September 15, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I went to a new dentist to get Invisalign invisible braces. They had a new patient special going and the deal was too good to pass up. Well I stuck with him for a couple months, but I have never met someone so rude, especially when I am paying someone. With all the dentists in my area, there really is no reason for me to want to keep going. Well, I’m on aligner #5 and the tray didn’t fit right. He went off about how I need to follow the instructions and be compliant, and wouldn’t even let me get a word in. Needless to say, he was supposed to have re-ordered my tray #5 so I have been waiting to hear back. But it’s been two weeks and now they are telling me I need new impressions. That’s the last straw for me. Please tell me I can switch to another Invisalign dentist without too much of a headache.

– Hannah in New York

Hannah,

Sorry to hear you have had a negative experience with your current dentist. There are no shortage of Invisalign providers, so you should have no problem finding another reputable dentist in your area. When a patient is unhappy or is moving out of state, Invisalign dentists can be switched. It does involve coordinating with the current dentist to fill out a form. When it has been signed by all parties, the Invisalign treatment plan should be easily moved to your new desired practice. It’s the fees that may be tricky. There is a good chance you already paid the initial dentist, so you will need to figure out a refund. Or maybe you can pay for only the services rendered. It all depends on how the dentist has it broken out and their payment policies. Fingers crossed that the transition is smooth.

Does coffee stain Invisalign?

September 14, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am very interested in learning more information about Invisalign invisible braces. It sounds like patients just love them. I really am attracted to the fact that no one will know I’m wearing them. But here’s the thing. I am a heavy coffee drinker. I don’t think I can give it up. Will this defeat the purpose and stain the trays yellow or brown?

– Maria in Nevada

Maria,

Coffee does stain teeth and so naturally that is assumed that it will stain Invisalign aligners. You could quit! Just joking. You don’t have to quit to get a beautiful, straight smile.

But what you may not have realized is that you need to remove Invisalign trays whenever you are eating or drinking. Coffee that is hot will damage the aligners. It may also cause damage to your teeth below the aligner because the liquid could become trapped on your teeth, underneath the aligner. The coffee, sugar that is likely added, and high acidity of coffee just sitting on your teeth can cause increased decay. If for some reason you are in a situation where you cannot remove the aligners while having a cup of coffee, you could drink through a straw. Yet, there is still a possibility that it will stain the aligners and they will still end up being exposed to heat.

Ideally, coffee drinking should be limited or only drink it when you are not wearing your aligners. Also, it is a good habit to brush and floss right after a cup. The safest way to keep your teeth healthy and Invisalign aligners looking their best is to remove them, enjoy your food or drink, clean your teeth, then pop them back in.

Darn it! How do I get gum off of my Invisalign trays?

September 12, 2021 by Brian Sartin

Help! My gum addiction is becoming a big problem ever since I got Invisalign. The dentist warned me not to do it. But the other day, I totally popped in a piece of gum without even thinking about it. Gum chewing has been a habit of mine for years. So I didn’t realize it until it was too late. Both Invisalign trays are covered in it. I used a toothbrush to get a bulk of it off. But there are a few stubborn spots remaining. How big of an issue is it if it doesn’t come off? Are they safe to wear?

– Tanya in Minnesota

Tanya,

Unfortunately, removing gum from Invisalign trays can be a tedious process. You don’t need to hear, “I told you so!” from the dentist. But it may end up that you need their assistance to get it off.

For starters, try a denture brush. The soft bristles of a toothbrush won’t get it all. But a denture brush is more resilient. Or you could try the old wive’s tale of using peanut butter to remove gum. Try placing peanut butter on the Invisalign aligner and let it soak in for several minutes. The oil helps to loosen gum and this technique used with a brush may take care of it. If that doesn’t work, try popping them in the freezer. Every 20 minutes this process can be repeated. The freezing of the gum may help it to flake off of the trays.

If none of these tricks work, it is probably time to call your dentist. They have much more powerful cleaning agents and tools available at the office. Hopefully, that will remove it.

There are some Invisalign patients that swear by sugar-free gums. But, as you know and have now seen firsthand, gum chewing is not recommended. If you cannot break the gum chewing habit and you wear them most of the time, you may be able to enjoy a piece of gum when removing the trays on occasion. Always be sure to clean your teeth after eating or chewing any gum so you don’t promote decay.

Are Lingual Braces or Invisalign Better for Adults?

August 26, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I’m trying to choose between finding an Invisalign dentist or one who does lingual braces. I’m 43 now and had braces when I was in my 20s, so my teeth aren’t too bad, but I’d like to correct the little bits that have shifted and make them even again. At the same time, I don’t want to have braces that are obvious. I’m a business professional and I don’t want to look like a teenager with a face full of metal. With the research I have done, it seems like both Invisalign and lingual braces are an option for someone with teeth like mine. Is there a benefit to using one type of orthodontics over the other?

Thanks,

Marjorie in Washington, DC

Dear Marjorie,

Based on your description, you probably are a candidate for both. People tend to turn to lingual braces when they worry that they’ll forget to change their aligners or that they’ll lose them. Lingual braces can sometimes tackle cases that Invisalign can’t, but the aligners do a very good job, even on challenging cases.

A lot of adults have trouble with lingual braces because their tongue is drawn to them. They have difficulty speaking and it can be uncomfortable. Being a professional, where it sounds like you may have to attend meetings, speak publicly and such, you can remove the aligners entirely beforehand if you prefer. You can also remove the aligners for cleaning, which is a huge benefit for oral hygiene. Some people have a lot of trouble brushing and flossing with braces, which inevitably leads to gingivitis, advanced gum disease, or decay. Some doctors also cite damage to enamel as a problem with traditional braces. The main reason this becomes a problem is when hygiene isn’t kept up.

If you really are a candidate for both options, you’ll probably prefer the versatility and speed of Invisalign, though you likely won’t have to do any kind of orthodontic treatment for long because you’ve already had it and are refining what’s already been done. Everyone’s mouth and challenges in treatment are different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach with orthodontics. Start with a consultation and verify what your options are and be sure to mention that you’re open to suggestions depending on what your ultimate goals are. When deciding between these two options, though, you’ll likely be happier going through Invisalign treatment.