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Instructions for Invisalign®

Do

  • Use your fingers to put your aligners in place. First place the aligners over your front teeth, and then use your fingers to push the aligner down gently over your molars. When aligners are correctly inserted, they will fit all the way down on the teeth, with no space between the top of the aligners and the top of the teeth. Aligners will fit tightly at first but should fit well at the end of the two week period.
  • Keep aligners in except when flossing, brushing, eating. It’s also best to remove the aligners when drinking warm beverages such as coffee or tea.
  • Remove the aligner by pulling it off both sides of your back teeth simultaneously then lifting it off of your front teeth. Place your aligners in the case we provided any time they are not being worn.
  • Clean aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • Wear each set of aligners for two weeks unless our office directs you to vary from this schedule.
  • Wear aligners in the correct numerical order. (Each aligner is labeled by number and with a U or an L to designate upper or lower.)
  • Keep all of your old aligners and bring them to your orthodontic appointments.

Don't

  • Don’t place your aligners in or on a napkin or tissue. Many aligners have accidentally been thrown out this way!
  • Don’t use your teeth to “bite” your aligners into place.
  • If you have pets, don’t place your aligners anywhere that your pets can reach them. Pets are attracted to saliva and would enjoy chewing on your Invisalign trays!
  • Do not use Denture cleaner, alcohol, or bleach to clean your aligners.
  • Do not use boiling water or warm water on your aligners.
  • Don’t chew gum with your aligners in.
  • It would be best not to smoke while wearing aligners. The smoke can stain the aligners as well as your teeth.

Just in Case

  • If you lose the tab attached to your tooth that helps the aligner snap on, please call our office right away so that we can determine if you need to come in before your next scheduled appointment.
  • If you lose one of your aligner trays, please wear the next tray if you have it. If you do not have the next tray, please wear the previous tray. It is extremely important to use a tray to keep teeth from shifting. Call our office to let us know which tray was lost so that we can determine if a replacement tray is needed. There will be a fee if replacement trays are required.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Care of Night Guard

  • Keep it clean: Brush with toothpaste (or liquid hand soap) and warm water.
  • Keep it safe: Store in container when not wearing.
  • Do not expose it to heat that may distort shape.
    • Do not boil in water
    • Do not leave in hot, sun-exposed area

Points to Remember

  • Your night guard is an appliance custom fit to your teeth only.
  • You must wear your night guard often in order to keep your teeth aligned in a stable position.
  • Failure to wear your night guard may result in excessive wear and/or fracture of your teeth that may require extensive dental work to repair.
  • Failing to regularly wear your night guard may result in drifting of your teeth to a degree that your night guard will no longer fit properly.
  • Your night guard will eventually wear thin, chip or break and will need replacement. Please bring your night guard with you to most future dental appointments so that it may be inspected by the dentist.
  • Please call our office if you experience any pain or discomfort from your night guard. Use of your Night Guard 
    DO NOT USE HEAT. If you desire, you may apply an ice pack over the area for 20 minutes every hour for 3 to 4 hours.

Use of Your Night Guard

  • Place your night guard securely onto your teeth applying pressure equally on both sides.
  • Remove night guard by gently prying away from your teeth with your fingers. Try to apply equal pressure to both the right and left sides.
  • Inspect your night guard regularly for signs of breakage.

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Brushing and Flossing with Provisional Restorations

  • Brush thoroughly, three times a day, especially around the gum line, .
  • Brushing and flossing vigorously will keep the tissue from bleeding on the day of cementation. Bleeding increases the chance that the restoration might need to be redone, and invites postoperative sensitivity, as well as recurrent decay and gum disease.
  • Floss daily. Pull the floss out to the side, not up from between the teeth, because this may dislodge the provisional.
  • Use an interdental brush between splinted provisional restorations.
  • Thoroughly floss under all pontics (artificial teeth) each day, so they do not collect debris and odors.

Preventing Damage to Your Provisional Restorations

  • Avoid sticky foods and chewing gum, because they will dislodge the provisional. Do not use toothpicks and interdental stimulators.
  • Avoid chewing hard substances like candy, hard bread, tough meat or ice. These could break the provisional, or worse yet, the tooth.
  • Bleaching solutions and some peroxide toothpastes can turn the provisional restoration an orange color. Don’t bleach and avoid peroxide toothpastes.

Managing Problems

  • If a provisional comes out, loosens or breaks, please call us immediately. These occurrences can allow the tooth to drift, resulting in problems with the fit of the final restoration. Loose provisionals may require the case to be made over, and often result in root canal treatment.
  • If you have any questions, problems or concerns, please call our office. Your dental well- being is our primary concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Follow the below guidelines to help reduce the risk of sensitivity as a result of bleaching or whitening treatment.

  • Prophylaxis (professional cleaning) 2 weeks prior to bleaching
  • Accurate alginate or PVS impression for tray
  • Brush with desensitizing toothpaste (Pronamel Sensodyne) twice a day for 2 weeks
  • Have your dentist review your oral hygiene brushing technique and use a soft/extra soft toothbrush
  • Reduce acidic beverages and fruits or wines
  • One arch, soft tray is delivered and evaluated for tooth fit, gingival irritation and ease of removal
  • Wear tray with desensitizing toothpaste (Pronamel Sensodyne) for 1-2 nights
  • Begin bleaching with carbamide peroxide product containing potassium nitrate and fluoride, ideally overnight or 2-4 hours daily if overnight is not tolerated
  • Continue to brush with desensitizing toothpaste, but brushes 30 minutes prior to tray insertion, and waits 30 minutes after bleaching to brush (If using daytime bleaching)

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Use anti-inflammatory medications. Over-the-counter ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin may be useful for short-term use.
  • Apply moist heat or cold compresses to the joint or muscles that are sore. Apply heat for 20 minutes 2 to 4 times daily. Microwave a wet towel for approximately 1 minute or until towel is warm. You can also wrap this moist hot towel around a hot water bottle to keep it warm longer. For cold compresses, use ice wrapped in a thin washcloth for 10 minutes, 4 times daily. Ice should only be applied to the painful area until numbness is experienced. Heat or ice can reduce joint or muscle pain and relax the muscles.
  • Eat a softer diet. Avoid hard foods, such as French bread or bagels. Avoid chewy foods, such as steak or candy. Cut fruits into small pieces and steam vegetables. Chew with your back teeth rather than biting with your front teeth. DO NOT CHEW GUM!
  • Keep your tongue up and teeth apart. The teeth should never be touching (except occasionally during swallowing). We suggest that you closely monitor your jaw position during the day in order to maintain a relaxed and comfortable position. This involves placing the tongue lightly on the top of your upper front teeth, allowing the teeth to come apart and relax the jaw muscles.
  • Avoid oral habits that put strain on the jaw muscles and joints. These include clenching, grinding (bruxism), touching, biting cheeks, tongue pushing against teeth, jaw tensing, biting objects, or other habits.
  • Avoid activities that involve wide or prolonged opening of the jaw (yawning, prolonged dental treatments, etc.) until the pain has been reduced.
  • Avoid stomach sleeping or leaning on the jaw since this puts adverse forces on the jaw and neck muscles.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Girl Playing Soccer During Braces Treatment

(High Risk plus Dry Mouth)

  1. Tooth brushing. Your goal is to brush after every meal using an ADA approved fluoride tooth paste such as Crest or Colgate. If you were prescribed Prevident 5000 toothpaste, use as directed.
  2. Flossing. Your goal is to floss daily.
  3. Use 100% Xylitol products 3-5 times daily. You may use either chewing gum or mints. The Spry brand is the best.
  4. MI Paste Plus. After brushing in the morning and evening, apply a generous layer to the tooth surface using a clean finger. Leave undisturbed for 3 minutes. Then use your tongue to spread over your teeth.
  5. Rinsing. Please fill the prescription for Chlorhexidine Gluconate. Rinse only for the first seven days of each month. The directions are to rinse twice daily for 30 seconds and spit out excess. Do not rinse within 30 minutes of using the MI Paste Plus.
  6. For Dry Mouth. Maintain a low sugar diet. Mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda with 8 ounces of water and sip frequently throughout the day. This will keep your oral pH balanced to prevent the acid attack that starts tooth decay.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Smiles On The Upper Westside
15 West 96th Street, 4th floor
New York,
NY
10025
212-222-5225
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