What to Do When a Crown Falls Out
Dental crowns are useful in protecting damaged teeth, but if something happens and they end up falling out, you’ll need to know how to keep things from worsening. Read on to find out how to manage the situation.
Have you heard about the Invisalign® craze? That’s a pretty apt description of the frenzy that surrounds these revolutionary teeth straighteners. The advent of invisible braces took the world by storm and hasn’t stopped growing.
To date, more than 5 million people have chosen to straighten their teeth with these life-changing, custom-designed appliances, with teens making up the lion’s share of the happy customers.
Invisalign clear braces turned the teeth-straightening scene on its head. Invisalign has been around for 20 years, but it took awhile for orthodontists to warm up to the new technology and become trained in its use and application. Now, it’s one of the most successful companies on the S&P 500 and is worth about $20 billion.
Our expert team at Fresh Dental Care in Houston can vouch for Invisalign’s popularity. Invisalign clear braces are safe, effective, customized, and invisible. What teen or adult wouldn’t want that?
If you’re one of the millions who have opted for the new clear aligners, we can help you get the most out of them. If you’re still in the decision-making process, come in and let us help you make an informed choice based on your unique dental goals.
Either way, we’re here to guide you through your dental journey, and we’ve compiled a list of a few things that can make it a great experience.
There aren’t many rules when it comes to Invisalign, but the few that exist are important to follow. Rule No. 1 is that you have to keep them in for at least 22 hours a day for full effect. That gives you enough time to take them out when you eat, drink, and snack. The rest of the time you need to keep them in place so they can do their job.
While teens love the concept of invisible aligners, they may not be a good fit for those who can’t be trusted to keep them in.
One of the biggest differences between clear aligners and traditional metal braces is that with Invisalign, you can eat anything you want — as long as you take your trays out.
With metal braces, you have a long list of foods you have to avoid, but because your Invisalign trays are removable, you can take them out, eat whatever you want, then put them back in. Just make sure you brush your teeth first.
And don’t leave them out for long. Remember — 22 hours a day in your mouth.
Because you remove your Invisalign trays every time you eat or drink (unless it’s just water), you never have to worry about food getting stuck in them. However, your mouth is always full of bacteria that are looking for a place to land and then turn into plaque and cause gum disease.
To keep those nasty little bacteria at bay, get into the habit of running your Invisalign trays under lukewarm water every time you take them out. Lukewarm is the key word here. Too hot, and you can warp the custom-molded plastic; too cold and they can become brittle and crack.
As mentioned, the beauty of having removable trays is that you don’t get food particles stuck in the crevices. But over time, even though you’re diligent and rinse your trays often, those bacteria can eventually build up and cause problems.
A gentle brushing at the end of the day is a good way to prevent plaque buildup, which you’ll know is present if your trays turn cloudy.
Pick a time of day that’s convenient for you, like during your morning routine or just before bedtime so you can get into the habit of inspecting your Invisalign trays for any changes.
If you notice any cracks or rough edges, or a change in color or odor, let our team know so we can check for damage and either make some adjustments or fit you for a new set of trays.
If you follow these five simple tips, you’ll keep your Invisalign trays in perfect condition so they can correct your bite quickly and efficiently.
If you’ve been thinking about Invisalign clear braces and want to know if you’re a good candidate for them, give us a call or send us a message here on our website to schedule an appointment soon.
