Low-Maintenance Orthodontic Care
After you start your treatment, our Chatham dentist will initially provide you with several sets of clear aligners that you wear each day. Typically, you will wear an aligner for approximately two weeks before swapping it out for the next aligner in the program. The aligners will apply low-force pressure to your teeth, gradually moving them into the desired position.
There are no metal brackets or other orthodontic appliances attached to your teeth; instead, you will be in charge of ensuring you wear the aligners for at least 22 hours each day. You should wear your Invisalign® or SureSmile® aligners while you sleep, attend school, or go to work. Although your aligners are removable, you need to resist the temptation to take them out unnecessarily. You should only remove your aligners when you’re eating or when you’re brushing and flossing your teeth each day. You can also take your aligners out for infrequent special occasions like weddings.
With Invisalign® and SureSmile®, there are fewer visits to the dentist during treatment because there are typically no needed adjustments. Simply exchange one set of aligners for the next set at the recommended interval, which is usually every two weeks. You will be asked to come in occasionally, however, so Dr. Vaccaro can monitor your progress as well as keep an eye on your oral health. It’s crucial to stay on top of your regular dental care while undergoing the treatment because your teeth are still susceptible to decay and other damage, even underneath your aligners.
At the end of your treatment, you will need to wear a retainer. This will protect your investment by helping ensure your teeth do not drift back into their original position. Most patients start out wearing their retainer every night while they sleep but eventually can drop down to only a few nights each week.
