Invisalign clear aligners are all the rage these days. Discreet and comfortable, they do an excellent job of straightening your smile without metal components. Whether you have your first aligner set in hand or are still considering treatment, you might be wondering how you will be able to monitor your progress with clear aligners.
As a long-standing orthodontic clinic in Rehoboth Beach, Johnson Orthodontics has all the answers to your questions! Here’s a comprehensive guide on tracking your Invisalign progress.
Why Should I Track My Progress with Clear Aligners?
Aside from the satisfaction it brings, tracking your progress with your Invisalign clear aligners will help you build better aligner maintenance and develop better oral care habits.
Whether it’s minimizing the consumption of sugary beverages, sticking to a cleaning schedule, or complying with Dr. Jonathan Johnson’s recommended wear time of 22 hours a day, these habits contribute to your clear aligner treatment’s success.
Monitoring your progress also lets our expert smile team know if your treatment is going smoothly or if additional adjustments are needed to ensure your teeth are moving into the correct positions. This makes it easier for us to identify any problems with your treatment.
How Do I Track My Progress With Clear Aligners?
From taking selfies to using apps and tools, there are many ways to monitor your progress with your Invisalign. Here are some of them:
Mind the Changes In Your Smile: While your smile won’t be aligned overnight, there’s no shame in looking at yourself in the mirror or taking a selfie. As you progress through your Invisalign treatment — which can last between 9 to 15 months — consider answering the following questions:
- Have the large gaps between your teeth started to close?
- Has your smile become straighter?
- Have your teeth shifted?
- Do your upper or lower teeth overlap when biting?
Keep in mind that changes can be subtle during the first few weeks of treatment, so don’t fret if you don’t see them right away.
Journal or Create a Scrapbook: Be it digital or physical, journals and scrapbooks add a splash of creativity to your progress-tracking endeavors. It shows how far your smile has come since the first week of treatment.
Take photos of your smile from different angles, write a short caption of your Invisalign journey, and include the dates of replacement. However you design it, your journal or scrapbook will be a great memento of your clear aligner journey with us.
Install Apps: Too busy for scrapbooking? Not a problem! These days, there are apps for everything, including tracking your progress with clear aligners. One example is the My Invisalign app. Here, you can keep tabs on your Invisalign wear times, share photos and videos of your progress, and customize the calendar to make remembering appointments a breeze.
Progress-tracking apps like My Invisalign offer the convenience you need to stay on top of your treatment from the convenience of your mobile phone.
Assess the Fit of Your Clear Aligners: Clear aligner trays should fit snugly on your teeth in the first week of treatment. If your clear aligners become loose by the second week, you’ll know that your teeth are moving into alignment.
Set An Appointment With Dr. Johnson: It’s important we ensure your treatment is progressing as planned, so be sure to keep any scheduled appointments. Regular appointments allow us to assess your teeth’s movement, adjust the overall fit of your clear aligners, and customize a new set just for you.
Why Are My Teeth Not Moving?
Not Following the Recommended Wear Time: Invisalign clear aligners are designed for (almost) all-day use. We understand that the pressure on your teeth takes some getting used to, but not wearing your aligners as directed renders them ineffective. This prolongs your treatment time and causes your teeth to shift back to their original positions.
To help you stick to the 22-hour rule, we recommend you install an app such as My Invisalign to track your wear times.
Your Invisalign Is Damaged or Missing: Remember, the longer you’re not wearing your clear aligners, the longer it takes to achieve your smile goals. So, if you misplace or break your aligners, call our office, and we’ll make sure you get a replacement.
To protect your clear aligners from loss or damage, here are a few tips:
- Keep aligners inside their case whenever they’re not in your mouth (i.e., when eating or brushing your teeth).
- Avoid drinking hot beverages, and don’t rinse your aligners in hot water. This will prevent warping.
- Always remove your aligners before eating and don’t drink colored or sugary drinks while wearing your aligners. This will help avoid discoloration and cracking.
- Handle your Invisalign aligners with care when brushing them or taking them off to prevent breakage.
Your Invisalign Doesn’t Fit You: An ill-fitting clear aligner will not serve you well. Contact the team at Johnson Orthodontics immediately for advice if an aligner does not fit properly.
Make Your Dream Smile a Reality
Monitoring your clear aligner progress comes with the formation of new habits, such as learning to care for your aligners and keeping regular appointments with Dr. Johnson. The more consistent you are with tracking your progress, the easier and faster it is to get your ideal smile. If you are interested in learning more about Invisalign or want to check on your treatment progress, call the team at Johnson Orthodontics, and we’ll take care of your smile needs!