Invisalign problems Archives

Did I ruin my Invisalign trays by boiling them?

September 7, 2021 by Brian Sartin

Help! I think I just made a big mistake. I have been using Invisalign for at least a couple months now. I just received my next set of aligners and have had them in for two days. I am supposed to keep this set for another four weeks. I didn’t like the way they were looking because they had this yellow color and therefore didn’t look invisible at all. I’m not sure why? So I decided to clean them by boiling them. But now the trays don’t fit. What do I need to to?

– Ben in New York

Ben,

Well, now isn’t the time to tell you not to boil your Invisalign aligners. But thank you for your question. Hopefully it will deter others from attempting something similar. It is not safe to place the aligners into the dishwasher or boiling water. Warm water should be fine for rinsing them. But the best way to clean your aligners is with a clean toothbrush and water. Some toothpastes can be quite abrasive and may cause damage to the aligners as well.

To be optimistic, at least the aligners will be replaced in a few weeks. But you need to contact your dentist to see if your most recent set can be used. It is likely that the damaged set will need to be reordered. But you may be able to move onto the next set, depending on the progress and the position of your teeth. Get in touch with your cosmetic dentist to find out his or her specific recommendations. And it goes without saying, don’t do it again. Also, discuss other cleaning alternatives for future use.

Does Invisalign interfere with kissing?

September 3, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I’m so excited to get going with Invisalign and the dentist has nothing but great things to say about it. But I’m embarrassed to ask my dentist certain questions. Will I still be able to kiss while wearing Invisalign? Maybe it’s a dumb question, but it is very important to me.

– Kaitlyn in Alabama

Kaitlyn,

Invisalign boasts one of the highest satisfaction rankings by patients. Your dentist probably told you how it works in half the time as traditional metal braces, is much more comfortable, and the best part is obviously it’s invisible. Now your question is a good one. Many dentists will tell you that no one will notice you are wearing Invisalign from a conversational distance. But kissing is obviously a little bit closer, to say the least. Your partner will be able to see them when going in for a smooch, but that is about it.

Invisalign clear aligners fit snugly over your teeth. They aren’t loose and shouldn’t be flopping around, even during kissing. That is, as long as the person you are kissing doesn’t generally kiss your teeth. LOL! Anyway, if you are self conscious for some reason about kissing with Invisalign, you can simply remove the aligners. The aligners simply pop in and out and are recommended to be removed for eating, brushing teeth, and if you feel better, for kissing too. Just remember that it is best to keep the aligners in for as much time as possible each day so that you achieve the desired results.

Do I Have to Get Buttons With My Invisalign Treatment?

August 17, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My orthodontist just drew up a plan for me to get Invisalign. I’m not really worried about any of it except for the buttons he said I needed. A friend of mine has them as well and constantly complains about the awkwardness and irritation caused by them, but I also know people who didn’t get any at all. Should I get a second opinion or just tell my dentist that I don’t want the buttons when he does my Invisalign?

Thanks,

Julie in Kansas

Dear Julie,

Your teeth are as unique to you as your fingerprints are. No two sets are exactly alike. In fact, there’s an entire specialty field in dentistry called “forensic odontology” devoted entirely to solving crimes and identifying victims based solely on teeth and impressions left from bite marks. As unsettling as that may sound, it just goes to show you that your treatment won’t be identical to your friends, nor will it be identical to the patient seen before you or the patient seen after you, because each of you have teeth in slightly different positions and it will always be so.

Buttons or attachments in Invisalign treatment serve a purpose. Sometimes, teeth are aligned in such a way that the aligners either can’t shift them into proper position or it will extend the length of your treatment. So, to ensure swift and proper results, your cosmetic dentist or orthodontist may need to place buttons.

Most patients don’t experience any issue with them at all. They’re tiny nodules that are adhered to the top of your tooth, just above the top of the Invisalign aligner and they hold elastic bands which will help move your teeth. Sometimes people feel discomfort as the teeth are pulled into proper positions. This is normal and can be alleviated with over the counter medications like ibuprofen. If one protrudes or irritates your gums, mention it to your orthodontist as he may be able to make slight adjustments that will make a world of difference.