Dr. Annissa Michael will provide an outline of what to expect when you receive clear aligner orthodontic treatment. This outline will include when you can expect when you first begin treatment as well as instructions for caring for your aligners.

Your clear aligner instructions include:

Managing Pain and Discomfort

You may experience soreness for the first couple of days after changing into new aligners:

  • Take Tylenol for pain relief; avoid Ibuprofen (NSAID) as it inhibits the inflammatory process crucial for tooth movement.

Switching to New Aligners

Change aligners at night to maximize the initial 6-8 hours of movement while you sleep through any discomfort.

Expect “bite hopping”:

  • Your bite may feel unusual when aligners are not worn due to teeth adjusting to new positions.
  • Remember, we are aiming for a normal bite by the end of treatment.

Diet and Lifestyle

  • Avoid eating or drinking anything other than water with aligners to prevent staining and cavities.
  • Smoking can stain aligners.

Aligner Attachments

Attachments on your teeth help aligners move as planned and keep them in place:

  • If an attachment comes off, contact us for prompt replacement.

Sometimes new aligners may not fully seat:

  • Use provided “chewies” or “straws” to help them fit properly.
  • Aim for 30 minutes of “chewies” exercises daily.

Care Of Your Aligners

  • Clean aligners thoroughly like your teeth, using a toothbrush and toothpaste or non-pigmented soap and water.
  • Keep aligners away from pets, as they may chew on them.
  • Insert and remove aligners carefully:
    • Start with front teeth during insertion and remove from back to front.
    • Insert/remove on both sides to prevent distortion.
  • Aligners should fit tightly initially but become more passive over the two-week period.
  • Save the last set of aligners when switching to new ones.
  • Wear aligners for 22 hours per day, removing them only for eating/drinking (excluding warm beverages) and oral hygiene.
  • Store aligners in provided case when not in use.

If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, please contact Boulder Valley Dental Center at 303-666-8820! Our team can provide you with more information and make an appointment with our dentist in Louisville, Colorado, if necessary.