Cleaning the Invisalign Aligners
Invisalign is cool because it is clear, and really pliable. It feels like plastic, and looks like plastic. It kind of is. To get technical, it is called methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. If you did not understand any of that it’s ok. Let’s just call it MDI for short because typing all of that just gave me a headache. What is in those aligners and retainer is polyurethane. The same molecule in those aligners is used in refrigerators, freezers, and even some buildings as industrial strength adhesive. Invisalign braces are some pretty powerful stuff. If you are thinking about getting Invisalign you have even more reason to get it now.
Cleaning your invisible aligners it is not a difficult challenge. For an extra $75 ALIGN Technology offers a cleaning kit for your aligners and more importantly your retainer which is required in 99% of most treatments. The retainer is clear just like the aligners and both need to be cleaned to keep that “clear” invisible look. Many times the aligners will get foggy after being worn for a long time. The cleaning kit is recommended, however if you brush your teeth on a regular basis and keep your mouth clean, you will not have the problem with fog or film growing on those aligners. The build up is plaque and just like your teeth it can be removed fairly easily. Align’s cleaning system has special cleaning crystals that remove the plaque from the aligners in less than 15 minutes. If you wash them often and got stuck with a lot of trays because of your malocclusion keep in mind replacement crystals are $50.
Without the cleaning system things can be done to keep plaque from growing on your aligners. Brush your teeth often. Remember aligners can be removed to brush your teeth. While those aligners are out brush away and use Listerine or other debriding agents on them. The Invisalign treatment goes a lot smoother when there are not bumps in the road like cavities. So keep your mouth clean and the cleaning kit may not be needed. It is best to take the Invisalign dentists advice though, because he knows your mouth better than you or I do. Keep that mouth clean and Good Luck!!
September 24th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
The cleaner that the Invisalign people sell you is too expensive. There are other alternative out there that are much more affordable and do a better job. I have used both Sonicbrite and Retainer Brite (as well as regular denture tablets that I buy at the drugstore) and they work wonderfully. If you really want to do your readers a service, you should write about alternatives to the expensive “cleaning crystals” that Align trys to sell. Sonicbrite and Retainer Brite are available on the web. There’s one website that sells them both!
January 21st, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I just use liquid soap and my toothbrush and gently brush them. Then I rinse them really well. They come out really clean.
The crystals are really expensive and not worth it.