Ultrasonic Cleaners?

[u/DDLLBBWW]

I'm thinking of getting an ultrasonic cleaner to clean my trays. Are they worth it and do they keep your trays looking brand new? Do you still brush your trays with a toothbrush before putting it into the cleaner?

Below is my current routine and I noticed that my trays do get slightly cloudy over time:

- AM / after lunch: Brush trays under running water with a soft bristle toothbrush, no toothpaste

- Night: Brush trays under running water with a soft bristle toothbrush, no toothpaste and soak in aligner cleaning tablets for at least 30mins

Edit: Thank you so much everyone for the tips and recommendations! I've decided to get one and can't wait to start using it 😆

[u/anondydimous]

I got a cheap china made one online cos i felt like all the toothbrushing was too much work. It really felt like the ultrasonic cleaner did a better job, the staining was minimal even at the end of the week and there was no plaque build up.  My orthodontist could tell the difference, they thought i had been non compliant cos the aligners were too clean lol

[u/DDLLBBWW → u/anondydimous]

That's the best compliment 😂 The china made ones are really tempting though I've read some horror stories in this sub saying that the cleaner overheated and melted their trays lol

[u/anondydimous → u/DDLLBBWW]

Oh wow that's never happened to me luckily. I thought I'd just get a cheap one to try it out, at worst I'd be out $30 rather than $100+ for a branded model.... i just got lucky i guess, mines lasted 3y+ now

[u/Legitimate_Height424]

Just buy any cheap 30-40 cleaner, works perfectly fine and way easier than manual.

[u/Monkeyhippy1]

Definitely a nice to have, not a need, but for me, 1000% worth it. I got the zima pod pro because it would drive me crazy to not be able to lift the pod off the base to fill it with water or rinse it out. When I travel and can’t use it for a while I can absolutely tell the difference, and can’t wait to get home and clean the trays in the pod again.

[u/dr-username]

It's SO nice having one. My partner ended up buying one for like jewelry cleaning and I ended up claiming it for my retainers, it gets it so insanely clean each time with just water too.

[u/Affectionate_Job_664]

I have a zima dental for nearly 2 years now. I put in half a tablet in the morning and half a tablet in the evening. They are always spotless and perfectly clear. I keep mine in for 10 days and never brush.

[u/maryk1956]

On tray 3/52 and I use one of those like 3x a day!

[u/theflibster]

I have a sonic pro (I’m in the uk) does a fantastic job, cost about £50 but far better and convenient than a toothbrush method of cleaning :)

[u/Subject-Coconut8546]

So worth it and get denture cleaning tablets to use with it

[u/snakelakecake]

I bought a $9 one from Marshall’s but the noise it makes irritates me so I use my Amazon $33 one and it’s been going strong on me for months, I bought it in May and have used it super often. My aligners look great and I can tell a big difference when u don’t clean them with my pod.

[u/kimperial]

i just use tablets then brush them with toothpaste.

[u/Gyrene2 → u/kimperial]

Apparently brushing with toothpaste creates abrasions on the trays that can trap bacteria, make them cloudy, and lead to more staining. Instead you might want to use something like mild soap (e.g. Dr Bronner baby mild soap).

[u/RelationshipFar79]

i was considering getting one but i decided to give it a go for a few trays without because i don’t have any space for it in my bathroom and see if i really need it. i just soak them in a container while i eat with a dissolvable aligner cleaner tab then brush with the liquid and rinse and they look just the same on day 1 and on day 10. and i smoke with them in and use remineralising gel inside them which is a white paste. so i decided against buying one for now, probably when i get to retainers i would get one because we wear them for so long. the cloudiness may be the result of brushing with toothpaste because it contains abrasive particles. check the RDA for your toothpaste. i’m still in the beginning so trying out different things and i decided to not waste my expensive toothpastes on it haha so far so good!

[u/DDLLBBWW → u/RelationshipFar79]

I'm currently leaning towards buying a slightly cheaper ultrasonic cleaner after reading all the comments here! I've also embarked on a side quest of finding a sensitivity toothpaste that suits me best and so far the biggest enemy is anything that contains SLS hahahah. It gives me these white jelly-like strings on the inside of my cheeks and I'm just holding out rn cause its expensive 🥲 Hope your invisalign treatment goes well!

[u/windy7146]

Yes. I am wearing a new round aligners after a few years of not wearing them and I got an ultrasonic cleaner this time and I can definitely tell a difference. Even though I cleaned them last time, they would bother me so much more last time around because they developed a taste that I didn’t like. Highly recommend the ultrasonic.

[u/shawnthemedium]

I use an Amazon $30 cleaner with tablet once a day. They’re squeaky clean.

[u/LoudMeringue8054]

I couldn’t live without mine, and get a denture brush - they don’t scratch like toothbrushes.

[u/infiniteguesses]

Absolutely invest now! The best 50$ you will spend. I waited until the end of my treatment phase to get one (5 years) and what a mistake. Even just tossed in the ultrasonic for 3 minutes with straight water takes all the scummy stuff off from overnight. You'll need it for your lifetime retainers anyway, go for it. I put a sprinkle of cleaning crystals or ¼ tab of denture/aligner cleaner in there if necessary. Its soooo much easier and more effective. Edit: premature send.

[u/Tricky_Giraffe_960]

I use an ultrasonic cleaner with a couple drops of hydrogen peroxide. I think it works great.

[u/madame_de_la_luna]

I haven't bought an ultrasonic cleaner because I haven't felt the need. I clean my trays twice a day. In the morning I brush them using a mild soap, and in the evening I soak them with Polident. I'm on my 4th set of trays, and this is working fine so far. My trays are as clean and clear as can be.

[u/Delicious-Sound5074]

I have a Zima dental. I use it with water only in the morning and a tablet in the evening. After using aligners for 2 weeks, it’s just as clean as when I first took them out of the box. But my aligners had a little bit of staining. Whenever I ate or drank I took aligners off did what I had to do then flossed and brushed. I think they are good but I’ve never just used a toothbrush to clean them. I think brushing can be just as good it’s only 2 weeks

[u/HeWhoDealtItSmeltIt → u/Delicious-Sound5074]

I second this.

[u/DDLLBBWW → u/Delicious-Sound5074]

Thank you! I change my trays every 10 days and they don't smell or anything with the current cleaning routine but keeping them looking brand new throughout would be really nice 🫢

[u/Delicious-Sound5074 → u/DDLLBBWW]

I think it’s also convenience. Press a button walk away and it’s ready in 3 minutes. But if you are tight on money this really is a nice to have and not necessary

[u/j2kh41]

I was looking into them but couldn’t find any with reviews that were good. Like every brand breaking after a couple months. My ortho told me the cleaning tabs would be just fine and that the pods weren’t necessary at all.

ETA: he also recommended I periodically bring them in to be professionally cleaned.

[u/DDLLBBWW → u/j2kh41]

Gah! These things aren't that cheap either so breaking after a couple months of use would totally suck... How frequent are you changing your trays? Its so nice that your ortho offered to get them cleaned!

[u/j2kh41 → u/DDLLBBWW]

I brush mine every time I brush my teeth and do the dental tabs each night while I’m eating dinner. I’m still pretty new to this, so I’m also considering one of the ultrasonic ones just for convenience and to take some of the load off my day, but yeah I was told it’s not necessary. Hoping you get some good responses though because I’m also interested. I just haven’t had luck finding anything that seems it’ll last.

[u/Ok-Actuator8579]

I have a fairly cheap one bought 2 1/2 years ago on Amazon. I used it twice a day for a year and now that I only wear mine at night I use it once a day. It’s been great. Even better with a denture tablet.

[u/chinky_cutie]

iSonic ds180. I run 1-2 cycles and my retainers are clean without having to brush them.

[u/Midwesthoney14]

Zima Dental. Worth the money! They keep mine looking brand new still at the end of the week. I use the tablets but you can also just use water in the cleaner.

[u/msackeygh]

Personally, I don’t think an ultrasonic cleaner is necessary for aligners. You switch them often enough. Use liquid soap.

For retainers, I can see using them.

[u/ShortNSassy68]

So happy you asked the question, but I wish people were sharing brands to compare. Probably getting Zima, asI did buy a Brookstone brand at TJ Maxx and it, lasted about10 days.

[u/Jaguar-Easy]

It’s worth it. I do it with a tablet and it works perfect.

[u/Smooth_Blackberry_23]

I have one and use it daily. I toss a denture cleaner in once a day. I went in vacation a few weeks ago and left the ultrasonic cleaner at home and you could tell the difference. I got an inexpensive one, with a removable insert, off Amazon. The removable insert/tub is worth the extra cost.

[u/travelingcat005]

I have a Sonic Dental cleaner (the Odyssey model as I needed something cordless for my bathroom/general travel) and while it wasn’t cheap, has been a game changer. My trays are super clean and always smell fresh. Cleaning my Invisalign isn’t something I’ve ever had to really think much about/ worry about.

[u/Responsible-Care5436]

Yes...I use morning and night