Modern dental technology is amazing. Treatments for all manner of oral ills have become cheaper, faster, more reliable, and more discreet than ever before. This is especially true of Invisalign, a transparent orthodontic treatment that has been around for more than two decades.
With more traditional braces, the process is clearly seen when you smile—all the metal and rubber slowly pulling your teeth back into alignment has been the butt of many jokes in popular culture, creating the need for a more subtle solution.
Continue reading to learn more about Invisalign and how you can troubleshoot most issues that may arise.
How to Get a Baseline Fit With Invisalign
Invisalign has become exceedingly popular, but that doesn’t mean that everyone knows how to use the clear aligners. When you receive your kit from your dentist, they will give you instructions and guidance on how to wear it, but what happens when you take them out to eat or try to switch to the next set and they just won’t fit correctly?
If you’ve never used Invisalign before, it can be a little daunting. When you slip your aligner over your teeth, you may notice that it feels tight. This doesn’t mean you’ve put it on wrong, it’s working as intended.
The aligner should fit snugly over your teeth while worn. You may experience some soreness or even headaches while the trays slowly work your pearly whites into a new position. The aligners work in stages, so by the end of each two-week period, you should be ready to slip on the next tray.
What to Do If Your Aligner Doesn’t Fit Initially
If you’re struggling to get your aligners to fit, try using the cylindrical chewies that come with your kit. These are made from a soft material that can be safely chewed to gently work your aligner over your teeth.
Continue this process for 10 to 15 minutes, and your aligner should slip down and stay snugly secured after all the gaps and air pockets have been forced out of them. Once they are in place, try to wear them for at least 22 hours so the teeth can start to conform to their new position. Only remove the aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss!
The Invisalign Chewies Aren’t Working
If you’re sure you have the correct tray, and your aligner still won’t fit over your teeth after trying everything above, contact your dentist and schedule an appointment. It could be that your Invisalign treatment plan needs to be revised.
Invisalign is an invisible solution to teeth realignment treatment—it’s in the name! While the prospect of using a new tool like the aligners can seem intimidating, with time you’ll learn the ins and outs of using them to complete your best smile. Hopefully, this answers the questions you have about the fit of your Invisalign, but if not, your friendly dentist will know what to do.
About the Practice
At Drs. Barker, Rohner & Hunt DMD, PLLC, the needs of the patient always come first. Dr. Barker, Dr. Rohner, and Dr. Hunt work as a team to create comfortable experiences with modern dental treatments and techniques. Each of them is a highly educated professional with different disciplinary strengths. Together, they can provide a wide range of treatments to better serve their patients. If you’re interested in trying Invisalign for yourself, or if you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit the website here or call (919) 847-7100.
