Since 2004, Dr. Zicchino has helped thousands of people achieve smiles they love. All of us at Coastal Dental in Point Pleasant, NJ take pride in our work and love seeing our patients leave with confidence.
Invisalign® is an increasingly popular option for achieving a confident smile for people of all ages. Since its inception in the late 1990s, Invisalign® has been trusted by millions due to its overall convenience and effectiveness. While it’s much more convenient (and discrete!) than braces, there are still a lot of questions surrounding this treatment option. Our experienced dentist is here to answer all of your questions about Invisalign®, starting with how long Invisalign® takes to straighten your teeth!
How Long Does Invisalign® Take to Work?
It generally takes six months to two years for Invisalign® aligners to give our patients their desired alignment. In most cases, straighter teeth can be achieved in a shorter time frame than with braces. A quicker straightening process is possible because the Invisalign® aligner trays work to correct every tooth simultaneously. In contrast, braces focus on straightening each tooth individually despite typically going on every tooth.How Long Does Invisalign® Take to See Results?
You could start seeing results from Invisalign® treatment within just a few weeks! Result time varies from person to person, and desired results can take upwards of two years, but progress can become visible very quickly. Although straighter teeth may be observed within a month, no one should take this as a sign to get complacent with the time they spend wearing their aligners. It is vital to wear the aligners for the time recommended by Dr. Zicchino.What Affects Invisalign Treatment Time?
Several factors affect treatment time using Invisalign®. Variables include how diligently the aligners are worn, the age of the patient, and the severity of tooth misalignment.How Long You Wear Your Retainers For
It is crucial to wear the Invisalign® aligners for the recommended time of 20-22 hours per day. The two to four hours per day that the aligners can be removed are reserved for eating, drinking anything besides water, brushing teeth, and cleaning the aligning trays. Leaving aligners out for much more than two to four hours per day will allow the teeth to start shifting again. If this happens, the treatment time will lengthen, costing more money overall.Your Age
Responsibility is the primary factor age plays in treatment time for Invisalign®. Teens are generally less diligent about how often they wear their aligners and tend to lose them more frequently. Every extra hour a patient goes without wearing their aligners delays desired results. This said, losing them could mean spending days waiting on a new set, causing negative progress. To help hold teens accountable, Invisalign Teen® was created. This product is virtually identical to traditional Invisalign® but bears a small blue dot that fades away after two weeks. At the end of two weeks, if the dot is still visible, it can be concluded that the patient did not wear their aligners as directed. In addition, with Invisalign Teen®, patients can get up to six free replacements in the event aligners are lost or broken.The Severity of Tooth Misalignment Being Fixed
The severity of tooth misalignment plays a major role in the treatment timeline. Invisalign® aligners can correct most tooth alignment issues on their own. Occasionally, patients may require a procedure such as dental restoration before beginning the straightening process. This is determined during the patient’s preliminary evaluation and is explained in great detail by Dr. Zicchino.How Painful is Invisalign?
One of the primary benefits of Invisalign® is that the aligners are relatively painless; especially compared to braces. Some patients do, however, report some discomfort, and only a handful report actual pain. The most common side effect of Invisalign® is sore or tender gums, which is nothing to worry about.Invisalign Treatment in Point Pleasant, NJ
If you aren’t happy with the alignment of your teeth, schedule an appointment today! Our dental team will walk you through what Invisalign® treatment would look like to get you the straightest smile possible!About the Author
Dr. Joseph Zicchino provides a wide array of dental services, including Invisalign® Clear Aligners, at his practice in Point Pleasant, NJ. He earned his dental degree from NYU Dental School and established Coastal Dental Group in 2004. For more information call (732) 714-1030 or to schedule an appointment!
Wondering what to expect during your first day of Invisalign®? Our experienced dentist, Dr. Zicchino, is here to answer all your questions!
You know about how the Invisalign® treatment works and you have all of the instructions that you need, but what exactly can you expect from the experience? What else do you need to know about your first few days with Invisalign®? Continue reading to learn more about your first day of using Invisalign® Clear Aligners so you know what to expect.
What to Expect During Your First Day of Invisalign®
You’ve been waiting to straighten your smile for a long time and you’re eager to see the results! When the treatment is over, you will finally have the smile that you always wanted, but there are a few things you should know about what to expect when you get your first set of Invisalign® aligners.Temporary Lisp
When you begin your Invisalign® treatment, it isn’t unlikely to begin speaking with a slight lisp. Before you begin worrying about talking like this the entire treatment, remember that it is just a result of your tongue getting used to the aligners in your mouth. This usually goes away after approximately a week.Irritation of Soft Tissues
When you first get Invisalign®, the soft tissues in your mouth won’t be used to the edges of your aligners quite yet. You will likely experience some irritation on your gums or the inside of your lips. This should go away after you get accustomed to wearing the aligners over time. You could also use some dental wax or a clean emery board to fix issues with sharp edges at home. If you are experiencing extreme discomfort or this does not improve, call your dentist. They will likely be able to trim or polish the edges in order to make the aligners more comfortable.Soreness
No teeth straightening option comes without soreness. Even though Invisalign® aligners won’t be as uncomfortable as regular braces, you are still bound to experience some discomfort associated with the pressure being put on your teeth to move them to their new locations. This pain should subside after a few days. If you need to relieve the soreness, you can take over-the-counter pain medication.Difficulty Inserting & Removing Invisalign® Aligners
Invisalign® aligners are designed to fit your teeth perfectly and tightly. This means that it can be difficult to remove when you need to eat, drink, or brush your teeth. Even though your dentist will show you how it’s done, it can still be difficult to get the hang of it. When removing your aligners, use your fingertips to slowly pull the aligners off your teeth, starting from your molars and working your way towards the front of your mouth. As time goes on, especially at the end of each two-week wear period, removing your aligners should get easier. The first few days may not be the most comfortable and even feel a bit awkward. However, after a little bit of time you will easily be able to adjust to the aligners. With patience, you will be on a path towards a straighter smile!How Long Does it Take to Get Used to Invisalign®?
It takes most dental patients anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to get used to wearing Invisalign® aligners around the clock. The soreness and feeling you have when you put in your first set of aligners will gradually disappear as your teeth shift into their proper places. With each new aligner, you may experience some slight discomfort as your teeth slowly shift.How Long Does Invisalign® Hurt?
While Invisalign® doesn’t hurt as much as braces do, you will still experience some discomfort when you first start wearing your aligners. The good news is that this discomfort usually subsides within a week! So you can expect the worst of it to be over after your first week.Need Invisalign® Treatment in Point Pleasant, NJ?
We can help you obtain the beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of! If you’re interested in finding out if Invisalign® is right for you, book a visit or give us a call today at (732) 714-1030!About the Author
Dr. Joseph Zicchino provides a wide array of cosmetic dentistry services, including Invisalign® Clear Aligners, at his practice in Point Pleasant, NJ. He earned his dental degree from NYU Dental School and established Coastal Dental Group in 2004. For more information call (732) 714-1030 or to schedule an appointment!
In order to make sure that patients preserve the health of their teeth and gums, dentists around the country are opening their doors again. The primary difference between now and before is that they’re increasing their safety precautions in an effort to keep patients safe. This involves meeting and exceeding strict CDC sanitation guidelines. Read on to learn four new ways in which your dentist in Point Pleasant has made their daily safety practices more rigorous than ever.
Appointing a Safety Champion
A Safety Champion is a staff member who is appointed on any given day to oversee your dentist’s daily sanitation guidelines. Whether that’s greeting patients, making sure social distancing is feasible in-office at all times, or overall monitoring, they’re there to solely focus on the sanitation of the facilities. By having one person in-charge of this, it’s easier to keep track of what sanitation precautions have already been completed throughout the day. This also allows the rest of our staff to carry on with their day without halting the patient appointment schedule, ensuring fast and effective care in a completely sterile environment.Daily Staff Health Checks
As soon as the dental staff arrives at the office, they will undergo a health check involving a no-contact temperature reading and being asked several screening questions to ensure that they’re healthy and ready to care for patients. This way, we’re able to ensure patients that they’re being treated by healthy individuals, so they don’t have to worry.Change Work Clothes at Work
Before, you may have seen nurses, hygienists, or other medical staff dawning their scrubs at the local grocery store after work. However, that’s all about to change. The dentist near you has implemented that all work clothing will be changed out of at work before staff leaves, and when they arrive the next day, they will change into their clean scrubs at work. This ensures that everything from the countertop of the welcome desk to the scrubs of your dentist are sanitized and disinfected.Always Wearing Personal Protective Equipment
Your dentist, hygienist, and welcome desk attendant will always be wearing personal protective equipment, including but not limited to, protective eyewear, a mask, a splash screen, and gloves. This will reduce the chances of droplet spread. Staff will also be required to wash their hands both before and after they have gloves on to make sure that they are clean at all times. If you’re concerned about what safety precautions your dentist in Point Pleasant has in place in response to the COVID-19 crisis, you can call and ask them. These strict sanitary practices will allow you to get dental care without having to worry about your safety.About the Author
Dr. Joseph Zicchino has completed a dental residency at Mountainside Hospital and strives to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and findings in the dental world. He enjoys providing his patients with high-quality dental care they can trust in and providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain excellent oral health. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Coastal Dental’s website or call 732-724-0296.