Many people of all ages now opt for treatment to rectify misaligned teeth with Invisalign. It is a means of straightening that has a wide range of benefits, one of the main ones being that it is invisible.
This means that having braces is not obvious to anyone but the person wearing them. The result of this is that the patient does not have to worry about feeling self-conscious or attracting attention due to their orthodontic treatment.
If a person smokes, is it possible for them to get their smile improved with Invisalign in Weybridge? If a person consumes tobacco products, they may be concerned about being eligible for this kind of treatment.
Here, we explore how this can impact the use of clear aligners and the potential results at the end of the process.
It’s better to stop
Any dental professional will advise that smoking is not good for oral health in general, whether a person is having orthodontic treatment or not.
One of the potential issues with smoking while having teeth straightened is that it can cause deterioration of the jawbone. This can affect how quickly the teeth move into position and can make them more vulnerable to becoming loose or even falling out.
There is a wealth of advice and support out there for stopping smoking. The NHS offers information and guidance, and doctors and pharmacists can also be helpful. If a person has smoked for many years, they may struggle with stopping abruptly. If this is the case, then NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) can be very useful.
There are many different forms of NRT available, such as patches, gum, inhalators, and oral and nasal sprays. It’s often the case that the smoker will need to experiment with what is on offer to ascertain what works best for them.
What if it’s not possible to quit?
Although smoking while undergoing treatment with invisible braces is not advisable, it does not necessarily mean that it is not possible.
One of the main issues is that tobacco can stain the aligners, rendering them visible to others and compromising their quality.
If the patient is not able to stop smoking, then they should restrict their intake to mealtimes only. The aligners are designed to be removed when eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The teeth are then cleaned before the trays are replaced.
If smoking is only indulged during these times, the patient can minimize the impact of their tobacco use during treatment.
However, there is a degree of self-discipline required. If a person finds themselves removing the aligners more frequently in order to indulge their habit, there may be some issues.
This is because the braces are at their most effective when they are worn for most of every day: around 22 hours. If this is not possible, then the patient cannot expect the best possible results at the end of the treatment.
It is best to stop smoking before getting invisible braces. However, if this is not possible and the patient is able to be very disciplined about their smoking habit, then getting this kind of treatment can still be an option.
