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Invisalign Dentist – Know the Risks Before Visiting One

Invisalign is a revolutionary new method of straightening teeth that uses plastic aligners to gradually shape your smile over time. It offers great advantages over the old “metal mouth” braces that so many kids fear. With this treatment, the Invisalign dentist uses computer imaging to create your aligners. Each one is used for a two-week period and then discarded for the next. This method of treatment is helping many people to straighten their teeth, but there are some slight risks.

nerve damage

If you’ve had a tooth injury before, Invisalign can damage or kill your nerves. Nerve damage does not mean the death of your tooth, but it may require further treatment to restore the nerves. It could even mean a root canal! Cases of nerve damage are rare, but you should take a few precautions to be sure. Tell your dentist about any previous dental work you’ve done so they know which areas are at risk. A qualified professional can do everything possible to make sure there is no damage. You should also tell them if you have had fillings or crowns anywhere because the aligners can dislodge them.

Dental caries

Tooth decay is caused by plaque, that white stuff your dentist always told you about that thrives on sugar. During treatment from an Invisalign dentist, you should take extra care to brush and floss regularly. Although not the fault of the treatment, people who have it are at increased risk of plaque buildup. Keep your teeth clean and, if possible, avoid eating too much sugar while undergoing treatment. It never hurts to get a dental cleaning before putting on your first set of aligners.

Allergic reaction

It is very rare, but some patients are actually allergic to the aligners fitted by the Invisalign dentist. It’s impossible to test for this beforehand, but if you know the symptoms, you can watch out for them. There may be swelling or pain around the aligners or, in severe cases, nausea, a sore throat, or a persistent cough. The danger is that these symptoms can be mistaken for a cold or the flu, so if you understand that they may be allergic reactions to aligners, you can get treatment. Unfortunately, if you are allergic to the aligners, you cannot continue with the treatment.

choking hazard

Another risk is that part of the aligner may break off and be swallowed. This presents a choking hazard. However, aligners are made to be strong and this is only a problem for people who clench or grind their teeth. When you speak to your Invisalign dentist in the office, they will ask you about this and assess your eligibility for treatment.

It is always good to know the risks before deciding to start any type of treatment. The good news is that unlike traditional braces, there is no pain or discomfort associated with this treatment. Although there is a slight risk of nerve damage or tooth decay, it is still smaller than that of braces. If you have any other questions, talk to your dentist before starting treatment.