Before you get started, here are some important reminders:

• You should wear your aligners a minimum of 22 hours per day.
• Your aligners should only be removed when you are eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing.
• Never drink anything, other than water, or eat with your aligners in.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your aligners.
• Handle only one aligner at a time.
• Rinse your aligners with water after removing them from the packaging.
• Store your aligners in their case when not wearing them. Keep a case with you at all times.
• Wear aligners as instructed by Dr. Greenberg before switching to the next aligner stage. Never skip a stage!
• When moving to the next stage, it’s best to change in the evening so you can keep the new set of aligners in for a minimum of 12 hours.
• If your aligners are difficult to remove, be sure to contact our office.

Each aligner is engraved with your unique case number, a “U” for upper and an “L” for lower, followed by the stage number (located on the back molar surface).

Aligner Insertion

• Rinse your aligners with water after removing them from the packaging.
• Make sure you have the proper aligner – the upper for your top teeth and the lower for your bottom teeth.
• You may insert either the upper or lower aligner first. When inserting each aligner, gently push the aligners over your front teeth. Then apply equal pressure, using your fingertips, to the tops of your left and right molars (back teeth) until the aligner snaps into place.
• Do NOT bite your aligners into position. This may damage them.
• Clenchy™ Aligner Seaters can be used to help close any air gaps between your teeth and your Invisalign® aligners to help them fit better.

Aligner Removal

• On one side of your mouth, use your fingertip on the inside of your back molar to slowly pull the aligner from the molars.
• Repeat this process on the other side of your mouth before trying to completely remove the aligner.
• Once the aligner is disengaged from the molars on both sides of your mouth, you should be able to slowly work your way forward – gently prying the aligner away from your teeth with your fingertips.
• After removing your aligners, immediately rinse with water, shake off excess, and store in the protective case provided with your starter kit.

• Clean your aligners prior to each insertion. Use a soft bristle toothbrush with water and small amount of toothpaste.
• You may find it easiest to clean the outside of your aligners by brushing them while they are still on your teeth, then remove your aligners to clean the
  inside surfaces.
• Be sure to rinse each aligner thoroughly with water after each cleaning.
• Remove your aligners for eating and drinking. You do not need to remove your aligners to drink cool water.
• Take care in removing your aligners. Do not use excessive force, bend or twist an aligner to get it off.
• Brush and floss your teeth after each meal or snack prior to reinserting your aligners. If you don’t have access to your toothbrush, simply rinse your mouth, and then clean your aligners by holding them under warm, running water.

• Do NOT use denture cleaners to clean aligners.
• Do NOT soak them in mouthwash.

These products can damage the surface of the aligner, causing it to become dull and more visible.

Ask Dr. Greenberg about Steraligner – a fast and easy-to-use alternative to keep your aligners clean and sanitized. No need to dissolve tablets or crystals. Simply pour Steraligner into the soaking dish and wait 3-minutes. It’s that easy!

If have questions or concerns about your aligners or aligner treatment progress, contact our office for a virtual appointment. Call 972-335-1300 Monday through Thursday, or submit an online appointment request and we will respond within one business day.

Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.