Invisalign

Thank you for choosing to have your Invisalign treatment with Phillips & Co Cosmetic Dentistry, we hope you enjoy your Journey over the coming weeks.

Below are a few hints and tips on how to look after yourself and your aligners during your Invisalign Journey. Just remember, if you have any queries at all get in touch with us and we’ll only be too happy to help!

General Invisalign Advice

• Wear your aligners 22-23 hours per day, essentially at all times apart from when you are actively eating or drinking (barring drinking cool water).
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your aligners.
• Rinse your aligners when removing them from the packaging, handle one aligner at the time for simplicity and ensure the correct aligner is applied to each arch (Big teeth at the front of the aligner for the upper set, smaller teeth at the front for the lower arch).
• You may insert either the upper or lower aligner first. When inserting each aligner, gently push the aligners over your front teeth. Then apply equal pressure, using your fingertips, to the tops of your back teeth until the aligner snaps into place. Do not bite them into place please.
• Expect some minor discomfort for the first couple of days when wearing a new aligner, if you need to please take simple painkillers for relief (providing you have no allergies or are taking any interacting medications already – if in doubt, seek medical advice first).
• Always keep the most recently used aligners in their packaging once you have completed that stage. If your current aligner is lost or broken, please get in touch and we may recommend that you temporarily go back one stage and use the previous week’s aligners while a replacement is being made or invite you to try in the next week’s aligner if appropriate.
• We bond on your Invisalign Attachments with great care, but not to full strength. The reason being we would prefer them to come away during treatment rather than never be able to fully remove them neatly after your treatment. If they do come away during treatment, do not worry as the Invisalign will still work without them present. Simply let us know and we may plan to reattach them when we next review you.
• We will normally plan to see you every 4-6 weeks during your Invisalign Journey

Removing your aligners and Day-to-Day care

• On one side of your mouth, use your fingertip on the inside of your back molar to carefully ease the aligner from your back teeth. Repeat this process on the other side of your mouth before trying to completely remove the aligner.
• Once the aligner is disengaged from the molars on both sides of your mouth, you should be able to slowly work your way forward gently prying the aligner away from your teeth with your fingertips.
• Immediately rinse your aligner with water, shake off any excess water and store your aligners in the protective case provided with your starter kit.
• To help prevent damage to the aligners, please avoid unnecessary removal where possible.
• Take care when removing your aligners, especially if multiple attachments are being used. Do not use excessive force to bend or twist an aligner to get it off.
• DO NOT use any sharp objects to remove your aligners and please get in touch if your aligners are extremely difficult to remove.
• Clean your aligners prior to each insertion. Use a soft bristle toothbrush with water and a small amount of toothpaste to do this, there is no need for soaking in mouthwashes or denture cleaners as these are too harsh and will damage the aligners.

Download the brochure here