Invisalign Tips

Many people know that Invisalign is a great solution to braces if you don't want to experience the look and feel of traditional metal braces. What few people know, though, is that just like traditional braces, Invisalign requires proper care to work effectively. Good oral hygiene is highly important, even when you are wearing something in your mouth that you can take out to eat with. It's still likely that your aligners can build up plaque if not treated properly. When wearing your Invialign aligners, ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Am I eating with my aligners on? - These aligners are removable and should be taken out when you eat.
2.) Am I drinking anything other than water with my aligners on? - Though it's not a necessity for you to take out your aligners while you drink, think about how sticky a soda is. If you take out your aligners when drinking a soda, you have a better chance of keeping your aligners clean.
3.) Am I brushing before putting the trays on? - The aligners have both an inside and outside. Keeping the outside clean is easy. Keeping the inside clean is also easy: just make sure you've brushed your teeth before putting the trays on.

These are all very simple steps, and ultimately, they help to keep you building good oral habits.

--SR Orthodontics

Imagining Your Life With Invisalign

Are you wondering what Invisalign treatment is really like, and what effect it will have on your day-to-day activities? Will it slur your speech? Will people know you're in treatment? You're not alone in your concerns! Following are a list of questions and answers for anyone pondering Invisalign treatment.

How exactly does Invisalign work?

Using 3-D computer imaging technology, Invisalign creates a series of custom-made, clear aligners exclusively for your teeth, based on the treatment plan that we specify for you. Each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Will I experience pain during treatment?

Most people experience temporary discomfort for a few days after a new aligner is placed. This feeling of pressure is normal and is a sign that Invisalign is working by sequentially moving your teeth to their final destination.

Can other people see that I'm in treatment?

One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are clear. You can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing.

Can I smoke during treatment?

We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored.

Are there any foods I cannot eat while in treatment?

You can eat normally during the entire course of treatment. One of the advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Simply take the aligners out before each meal, brush when you're finished eating, then reinsert the aligners afterward.

What about chewing gum?

We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, as gum and other chewy substances can stick to the aligners.

How often must I wear my aligners?

Aligners should be worn all day, except when eating, brushing, and flossing.

Will my speech be affected by the aligners?

As with any orthodontic treatment, aligners may temporarily affect your speech. If this does happen, your tongue will adjust within a day or two and your speech should return to normal.

How can I clean my aligners?

The best way to clean your aligners is by brushing and rinsing them in lukewarm water.

How often must I visit your office during treatment?

For most patients, visits every 4-6 weeks are frequent enough for us to determine that your treatment is progressing properly. Dr. Sellke will provide you with a specific schedule that supports your individual treatment plan.

Trivial Pursuit -- Invisalign Edition

Got a few crooked teeth, or an overbite you’ve never liked? Been wondering if Invisalign might just be the best option for you? We at Dr. Sellke's office want to help you understand the facts. Brush up on the facts with our Invisalign trivia questions:

1. Each set of aligners in your series should be worn for approximately:

A – 2 days
B – 2 weeks
C – 2 months
D – 2 years

2. Your aligners are custom-created for your teeth based on:

A – A CT scan that produces a 3-D image of your teeth
B – A set of 24 high-resolution photos of the inside of your mouth and exterior jaw line
C – X-rays taken from the front, back, left and right of your head
D – bronze cast of your teeth

3. Which of the following is not recommended during Invisalign treatment:

A – Chewing gum
B – Smoking
C – Eating popcorn
D – Smiling

4. Invisalign treatment has been chosen by:

A – More than 1000 people
B – More than 10,000 people
C – More than 50,000 people
D – More than 500,000 people


How many did you answer correctly? Check your choices:

1. B – 2 weeks: In most cases, each set of aligners should be worn for approximately two weeks. As you replace each set with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the position we’ve prescribed. You’ll visit our office about once every six weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligner sets worn during treatment is between 18 and 30.

2. A – A CT scan: A CT or Computed Tomography scan is made from your dental impressions. The CT scan produces an extremely accurate, 3-dimensional digital model of your teeth. We then use Invisalign’s proprietary CAD (Computer Aided Design) software to simulate the movement of your teeth during treatment to create your unique treatment plan.

3. B – Smoking. We discourage smoking while wearing the aligners as they may become discolored. (We also discourage smoking due to the dental and medical health problems it causes.) You are, however, able to eat any kind of food you like and smile with abandon during Invisalign treatment. The aligners are clear, so they don’t hide your pearly whites, and they’re removable, so you can take them out to eat, brush and floss.

4. D – More than 500,000 people. That’s right, more than half a million people have chosen Invisalign to brighten their smile. You could be next! If you are interested in Invisalign treatment, give us a call at Dr. Sellke's office to set up a consultation.

Is Invisalign® Really Customized for Each Patient? - Grayslake, IL

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. To find out if you are the right candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Next we use special software to map out the exact path your teeth will take from the beginning of your treatment to the end. Based on the results, a set of custom aligners are created just for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you will be required to wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time; each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And since the aligners are virtually invisible, nobody around you will even know you are wearing braces!

Dr. Sellke and Dr. Reily are certified Invisalign providers. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at our Grayslake office at 847-223-2876.