It has been about 3 months since I started my Invisalign journey, and I’ve been getting a lot of questions about them ever since. Hence I decided to compile all of the most frequently asked questions here, so that I can answer everyone once and for all. Hehehe.
1. What are the aligners made of?
The aligners are made of polyurethane; they are virtually invisible (hence, the name Invisalign) and are custom-made for you.
2. How do the aligners straighten teeth?
Patients are required to change to a different set of aligners every two weeks. Each set will make slight adjustments to your teeth until the course is complete.
Different sets of Invisalign aligners as time goes on.
3. How often do I have to wear the aligners?
It is important for patients to wear their aligners everyday for a minimum of 22 hours. You are advised to only take them out to brush your teeth. Just like how one isn't able to remove their braces, you shouldn't remove your aligners unless necessary.
4. What are the advantages of Invisalign over traditional braces?
Traditional braces require more visits to the dentist for tightening and adjustments, while Invisalign gives you the flexibility to change your aligners on your own every two weeks (You'll only need to visit your dentist once every 4 to 6 weeks!). Traditional braces causes painful ulcers due to irritation from metal brackets or wires, while Invisalign aligners have a smooth and comfortable surface that are less likely to cause any oral injuries.
Unlike braces, Invisalign is invisible so no one will ever know you have them on. That's perfect for me because it means I can continue modelling and acting without any restriction. Because Invisalign is removable, patients can brush, floss and clean their teeth as per normal, and not worry about stains that are usually caused by traditional braces.
Bet you can’t tell I’m wearing my aligners here!
5. How long will the treatment take?
The duration of the treatment varies according to individual. It is based on the severity of your case. On average, it may take about 12-18 months.
6. Is the treatment painful?
You may feel some sort of "pressure" for about 2 days (when you change to a new set of aligners), but that is a sign that your Invisalign is working, because it means that the aligners are pushing your teeth to the desirable position! The soreness is bearable and only temporary.
7. Will it affect my speech?
As with everything, you will get used to it after a while, and any lisp will disappear once your tongue figures out a way to work around the aligners. The alteration of speech will only last for a day or two.
8. Are there any restrictions on what I can eat or drink?
No! That's the beauty of Invisalign :) You can eat and drink anything as long as you remove your aligners before doing so. Just remember to keep track of the time, brush you teeth after you're done with your meal and put the aligners back on. However, Dr Cheng do recommends eating with the aligners on as it has several advantages such as better fitting of the aligners.
9. Can I smoke and drink alcohol with my aligners on?
I guess you can smoke with them on. However, professionals discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discoloured (which defeats the purpose of them being invisible).
As for drinking alcohol, it is recommended to take the aligners off before doing so as you would with other regular drinks. Perhaps, a moderate amount is fine, just make sure to properly brush your teeth and aligners with toothpaste soon after.
10. How much does Invisalign cost?
The cost is determined by the severity of individual cases. It ranges from SGD$4,500 to SGD$9,000 (before GST). There are several ways in which you can pay for the treatment to make it more affordable.
If you’d like to know more about Invisalign and whether you’re a suitable candidate for the treatment, you may head down i.Dental’s Invisalign Open House!
Here are the details!
Date: 4th July 2015
Day: Saturday
Venue: Capital Tower, Level 9 (FTSE Room)
Time: 2pm (Registration at 1.45pm)
Upon registering, you may enjoy a $1 comprehensive smile assessment consisting of consultations (to be booked on the day of open house), photos, X-ray and study model!
See ya there!
