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Traveling is already stressful, so we don’t want caring for your Invisalign to make it even worse. The good news is that there are a few small changes to your packing routine that can alleviate Invisalign- related stress taking away from your vacation. When you’re in a new place, far from your orthodontist’s office, it’s easy to remove your aligners and leave them behind. Here are some tips from Dr. Dennis Flanagan at Dennis J. Flanagan DDS MS for traveling with your Invisalign, to make sure you don’t have to take time out of your vacation for an orthodontic emergency!

 

What if I Lose my Invisalign while Traveling?

When traveling for longer periods of time, always take your previous set of aligners, your current set, and your next set of aligners with you. Whether you will go back to the previous set or move forward to the next set if your aligners get lost will be determined by how long you have been wearing your current set. The general rule of thumb is if the current aligners are tight, go back.  If you can remove them easily and are in your second week, move forward to the next set. 

If you are going to be out of town for more than two weeks, we can order replacement aligners and ship them to you. Continue wearing your previous set until they arrive and start again with the new set.

When you’re traveling by plane, be careful to keep aligners with you I your carry-on. Leaving them in checked bags is a good way for them to be lost or delayed. If you’re concerned about losing your aligners, bringing an extra case is always a good idea. If you leave one behind in a hotel or restaurant, you’ll have a spare.

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The week after your new braces go on is often tough. There’s a lot you have to adjust to from metal in your mouth to changes in diet, nightly routine, and oral hygiene. Transitions and changes are never easy, and to help make your journey to a beautiful smile smooth and painless, Dr. Dennis Flanagan at Dennis J. Flanagan DDS MS explains what to expect from your first week in braces.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• How Long Do Braces Hurt?
• Eating with Braces
• What to Expect When Getting Braces

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Invisalign is as common today as traditional braces. Usually, when you go to the orthodontist, you’ll be shown multiple treatment options, from Invisalign clear aligners to traditional bracket and wire braces. How does Invisalign work exactly? A completely invisible treatment that allows you to eat whatever you want is too good to be true, isn’t it? Not at all! Gain valuable knowledge on Invisalign from orthodontic specialist Dr. Dennis Flanagan at Dennis J. Flanagan DDS MS.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover

• What is an Invisalign Aligner?
• Invisalign Treatment Breakdown
• What Can Invisalign Fix?
• Can Kids get Invisalign?

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We’ve all heard horror stories of sports injuries, even worse witnessed one ourselves. After getting braces, you may be wondering ‘Can I play sports with braces?’ The best way to protect your mouth from a painful fate is to invest in a mouthguard before taking to the court. Mouthguards protect not only your teeth but the soft tissue of your mouth from injury as you play.  Getting braces doesn’t mean giving up the sports you love! Luckily, braces will not keep you from any sport or physical activity. However, the price you pay for a beautiful smile is taking a little extra care of your mouth while in treatment. Keep reading to uncover the significant role that mouthguards play in protecting your oral health and overall well-being from Dr. Dennis Flanagan at Dennis J. Flanagan DDS MS.

 

In This Post, We’ll Cover:

• Why should I wear a mouthguard?
• Do Braces put you at risk for a sports injury?
• What type of mouth guard should I buy?

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After months or even years of braces, patients are only too happy to finally be done with treatment. To make sure the smile you leave our office with stays with you forever, you’ll need to be fitted with and wear a retainer. Retainers prevent relapse and are a way to make sure the movements your orthodontist made are permanent. Get the answers to frequently asked questions about retainers and maintaining a healthy smile after receiving orthodontic treatment from Dr. Dennis Flanagan at Dennis J. Flanagan DDS MS. 

We’ll Cover:

• What is a Retainer?
• Different Types of Retainers
• Wearing Your Retainer
• What if My Retainer Doesn’t Fit Anymore?

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Choosing your orthodontist, and by extension, what your options are for years of orthodontic treatment and appointments, is no small feat. One of the deciding factors in this decision is which types of tooth movement your orthodontist has available. Traditional braces, self-ligating braces, or even Invisalign are all options. With so much innovation in the orthodontic field, we have lots of options to best fit any patient’s needs. Whether traditional braces or Invisalign is best for you, our team of orthodontic specialists is here to help you!

 

Making a Decision: Invisalign 

• Choosing Invisalign
• Invisalign Candidacy
• What issues can Invisalign help with
• Invisalign Pain

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