Congratulations, you are about to begin a journey to create your beautiful smile. The advent of invisible appliances has revolutionised orthodontic treatment. Your aligner trays are designed to slowly move your teeth into their correct position by sequentially adjusting the tooth positions with each aligner.
The success of your treatment is totally dependent on your COOPERATION. It is important you follow all instructions if you want to achieve the best result.
The following are important instructions, so take note and your treatment should run smoothly:
- When you get your first aligner and when you change to a new one, it will feel quite tight, and you might experience mild discomfort for a day or two. Have some Panadol or Nurofen handy just in case.Your orthodontist will show you how to correctly insert and remove the aligners. When placing the aligner, place it on the front teeth first then with your fingers push it into position on the back teeth ~ Never bite it into position as this will damage it. You may need to use firm pressure to do this.To remove, place your fingernails over the edge of the aligner on each side and pull down. Be patient, it may be a bit tricky at first, but you will be an expert in no time! (Hint: some people find using a dry cloth helps them get a good grip on the aligner). As your teeth move, the aligner will become less tight and much easier to remove.
- Generally, each aligner should be worn for two weeks, but your orthodontist will let you know what signs to look for so that you know when it is time to change. Changing too early can increase your treatment time.
- Wear your aligners full-time (minimum 22 hours per day). Any less and your treatment will be prolonged significantly or may fail entirely. Please remember that your cooperation is the key to your success.
- The aligners MUST be removed for eating (to prevent breakages), drinking (other than water ~ to prevent staining), during contact sport (if you are wearing a mouthguard) and of course when you clean your teeth.
- Clean your aligners! The best time is when you are cleaning your teeth. You should use a soft toothbrush, toothpaste and cold water.
- Your aligner tray is fragile. You MUST treat them with care. Store them safely in their cases when they are not in your mouth to avoid breakage or loss.
FAQ
What do I do if my aligner is not fitting?
Go back to the previous aligner and keep trying over the next 48 hours. Try different ways of inserting too such as front first, back first, one side first, etc.
If you still cannot wear your aligner call us to arrange the first available appointment, bring in all your aligners for your orthodontist to assess the situation.
What if I break or lose an aligner?
See if you can place the following aligner in if you have it, and make the next available appointment to see your orthodontist for advice. Sometimes a replacement aligner will be required at an additional cost!
Treating the aligners carefully will ensure a trouble free treatment. The aligners are warranted by the manufacturer for wear and tear.
