What to Know About Wearing a Retainer After Invisalign

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After you’re done straightening your teeth and jaw, a retainer helps you keep them straight afterward. Of course, that doesn’t tell you very much about the practical implications of having to wear the device. If you’re interested in clear aligner treatment, we’ll look at what you need to know both during and after it’s completed.

The Three Major Time Blocks

You can break down Invisalign treatment into several key time blocks:

  • 22-hours a day: Ideally, you should wear your clear aligners for as many hours in the day as possible, removing them only to eat, brush, and floss. The more consistent you are, the more you can cut back on your treatment time.
  • 6 months – 2 years: You may only need to wear your clear aligners for a few months, though the more severe cases may have to wear Invisalign in Lighthouse Point, FL for up to two years.
  • 3 – 6 months: After you’re done with Invisalign, you’ll wear a retainer for 3 – 6 months for around 22 hours per day.

Once you’re done with the initial retainer period, you’ll wear your retainer at night, usually for the next six months.

Will I Need a Retainer for the Rest of My Life?

An orthodontist may recommend that you wear your retainer indefinitely. Usually, that means wearing it for a few nights a week, but it may mean wearing it with more consistency.

How Will I Know?

The best way to get real answers rather than general timelines is to talk to a dentist in Lighthouse Point, FL who specializes in the treatment. At FL Dental Spa, our cosmetic dentists know how to brighten your smile, but we also know how to maintain your alignment for the sake of your oral health.

While it may seem daunting to have to keep wearing your retainer, consider that you’re likely not even notice it after a week or two. If you get a device that’s custom-fit to your mouth, you might be shocked at just how much it blends into the background. If you have questions about your options, contact our team today to start taking the next steps!

Can Invisalign Get Stained?

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Invisalign is subtle and discrete. Invisalign arches are made from clear plastic that fit easily over the teeth, so when you smile, Invisalign has minimal effect on your appearance. This is why it’s important to prevent Invisalign from becoming stained. Your dentist in Lighthouse Point, FL, can help. Knowing what causes Invisalign stains and how to avoid them can help you maintain your clear aligners.

Can Invisalign Get Stained?

Invisalign is made from a durable, clear plastic that is designed to be easy to maintain. However, Invisalign can get stained under the right conditions. Eating and drinking staining foods while wearing Invisalign can cause your aligners to become stained over time, just as your teeth would become stained.

What Causes Invisalign Stains?

Foods like gravy, sauces, berries, and other dark-colored foods can stain your Invisalign over time. Dark beverages, including coffee, tea, and wine, can also stain your aligners.

How Can You Prevent Stains On Invisalign?

There are several things you can do to prevent stains on Invisalign. Here are some examples:

  • Don’t wear Invisalign while eating or drinking. Remove Invisalign aligners for each meal. If you’re drinking tea or coffee, remove your aligners and put them in a case. The only thing you can drink while wearing Invisalign is water.
  • Brush your teeth before putting Invisalign back in your mouth. Keep a toothbrush and toothpaste on hand to make this possible.
  • Rinse Invisalign before putting them back in your mouth. Rinsing your Invisalign prevents anything that’s on Invisalign from getting on your teeth. This also helps keep Invisalign clean.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink water to prevent food particles from sticking to your teeth while wearing Invisalign.

Have More Questions About Invisalign in Lighthouse Point, FL? We Can Help

If you have Invisalign clear aligners and would like to know more about their care, contact the professionals at FL Dental Spa. We can help our patients take care of their teeth and their aligners throughout their treatment.

Do you want Invisalign aligners in Lighthouse Point, FL? Call the professionals at FL Dental Spa to make an appointment. We’re happy to help!

How Many Hours a Day Should I Wear Invisalign?

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Invisalign may be a popular way to straighten your teeth, but that doesn’t mean that everyone understands the commitment they’re signing up for. Here, we’ll look at how long you’ll need to wear Invisalign every day and why it matters to your oral health journey.

How Long Do I Wear Invisalign?

Ideally, you’ll wear Invisalign in Lighthouse Point, FL for as close to 24 hours as possible. This means that you’ll take out the clear aligners to eat, brush your teeth, and floss, and that’s all. The standard answer is around 22 hours, depending on how long your routines take.

Why Does It Matter?

In the grand scheme of things, an extra few minutes here and there may not make that much of a difference to your results. However, the much bigger point is establishing the habit of wearing your aligners as often as possible.

Wearing your Invisalign as often as possible doesn’t just ensure that your clear aligners work faster, meaning you can move on faster, but it’s also very good practice if you end up needing to wear a retainer afterward. Depending on how your teeth shift after Invisalign, you may need a retainer for months of even years after the core treatment is complete.

Why Try Invisalign?

Most people will invest in Invisalign because it’s a less invasive way to straighten your teeth. Plus, Invisalign is now more versatile than ever before, meaning it’s powerful to handle moderately severe misalignment issues (whereas before it was better for more mild crowding or gaps).

With Invisalign, it’s not only impossible to see that you’re wearing the straighteners, it’s also possible to eat whatever you want, including gum and corn on the cob. All you need to do is remove the aligners, store them for as long as it takes to eat, and then pop them right back in again. Plus, most people get used to Invisalign fairly quickly, making it possible for the trays to fade into the background as you go about your everyday activities.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Lighthouse Point, FL, contact FL Dental Spa to learn more about how you can get started with Invisalign today!

When Should I Consider a Dental Implant to Replace My Missing Tooth?

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A missing tooth can be a source of many troubles. If you’re missing a permanent tooth, you may feel self-conscious or unwilling to smile at others. You may also have difficulty talking or chewing your food.

The dentist in Lighthouse Point, FL, can help. If you’re missing a permanent tooth, the best way to address the problem may be to get a dental implant. The dental professionals at FL Dental Spa can help! We provide treatment for dental implants.

What Is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth that can be used to replace a missing permanent tooth. Dental implants are installed in the jaw through surgery.

Implants are installed over three visits to the dentist. During the first visit, the implant is placed in the jaw. During the second visit, the abutment is put in place. During the third visit, the dental crown is installed.

Why Should You Replace a Missing Permanent Tooth?

A missing permanent tooth is a problem in many ways. The gap between your teeth can cause other permanent teeth to shift in place, which can cause problems with your bite.

Who Is A Good Candidate for a Dental Implant?

You’re a good candidate for a dental implant if you have a healthy jaw with good bone density. Your dentist will evaluate your jawbone to determine whether you’re a good candidate. You’ll also need good oral health and hygiene habits to ensure that the dental implant installation will be successful.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

There are many benefits to dental implants.

  • Restore your confidence: Many people feel self-conscious without all their teeth. Installing a dental implant can fix this problem.
  • Make chewing and talking easier: If your missing tooth is impacting how you chew and talk, then installing dental implants can fix it.
  • Easy to maintain: Dental implants are a lot like natural teeth. They’re easy to maintain!

Need Dental Implants? Contact Us

Do you need dental implants in Lighthouse Point, FL? If so, the dental professionals at FL Dental Spa are here to help. Call today.

Are Dental Implants Better than Dental Bridges?

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Are you missing a tooth? If so, you need help from a dentist in Lighthouse Point, FL. The dental professionals at FL Dental Spa can help.

We provide dental implant services to patients who are missing their permanent teeth. Installing a dental implant is good for your jaw, good for your tooth alignment, and good for your self-confidence. Here’s what to know about dental implants and how they compare to dental bridges.

What’s a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth your dentist surgically installs in your jaw. Dental implants are as close to natural teeth as they can get. If you’re a person with good oral health and a healthy jaw, a dental implant may be a great option for you.

Benefits of Dental Implants

There are many benefits to dental implants.

  • Stimulate the jaw bone. Dental implants function like teeth, stimulating the jaw each time you chew. This helps retain volume and density in your jawbone.
  • Looks natural. Your dental implant will have a customized dental crown to fit the space provided. Your dental implant will also be color-matched to your other teeth, so it will look like it belongs.
  • Easy to maintain. Dental implants function like natural teeth, so they’re maintained like natural teeth as well.

What’s a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is an artificial tooth attached to the surrounding teeth with dental crowns. Dental bridges require the dentist to shave down healthy tooth enamel to make room for the crowns.

Why Get a Dental Implant?

Many patients choose to get dental implants because they like the appearance of dental implants. Some people get dental implants because they want an artificial tooth that will reinforce a healthy jaw.

Whether you want to make your smile whole again, or you want an artificial tooth that’s easy to maintain, a dental implant is a great option.

Need a Dental Implant? Contact Us

The professionals at FL Dental Spa offer dental implant installation services in Lighthouse Point, FL. If you think you could benefit from a dental implant, we’re here to help. Call today to make an appointment.

What No One Tells You About Invisalign®

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If you’re thinking about Invisalign® for your teeth alignment issues, you should book an appointment with your dentist in Lighthouse Point, FL. We’ll be able to tell you all about the pros and cons of Invisalign®, including some things that you may not hear from others. Here are some things that no one else tells you about Invisalign®:

Outcome Partially Relies on You

Unlike traditional braces, with Invisalign®, your treatment progress and outcome partially depends on you. With regular braces, the patient can’t remove them and has no control over them. With Invisalign®, since they’re removable, you partially control how long treatment will take and how optimal the treatment is. So, with the convenience of Invisalign® comes increased responsibility.

You’ll Need More Appointments

Invisalign® uses a series of aligners that adapt to your teeth’s new position in order to consistently shift them into the desired alignment. As such, you’ll need more appointments with Invisalign® than you would if you had regular braces. But the appointments won’t last long, and you’ll be able to easily fit them into your regular school, work or play schedule.

Aligners Can Get Stained

One of the biggest attractions about Invisalign® is their near invisibility. But few people will tell you ahead of time that these aligners can get stained. So a stained aligner will be a lot more noticeable. It just won’t look good. We recommend that you drink only water and non-staining beverages and foods while wearing Invisalign®. This means no tobacco use, too. Try to avoid berries, curries, coffee and tea, among others. Your dentist will give you a detailed list.

Hang on to Your Old Aligner

When you graduate to the next level of treatment and get a new aligner, don’t be too quick about getting rid of your previous aligner. Keep it in a storage container and hang onto it, because if anything happens to your new aligner—you lose it, or break it—you’ll have a backup aligner that will prevent your teeth from regressing into their original position.

Are you ready to tryInvisalign® in Lighthouse Point, FL? Contact us today to book a consultation and to learn more about this revolutionary advancement in teeth alignment adjustments.