Modern advances in dental technology have made it more convenient to get the straight smile you have always wanted. You no longer have to wear the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces since there are more comfortable and flexible options like Invisalign! However, while there are many benefits with this flexible and reliable orthodontic, you may have some trouble with your aligners fitting properly. Here’s why your Invisalign trays may not be seating well on your teeth and what you can do to help.
First Things First: What Causes Aligners to Not Fit Properly?
As with other orthodontic treatments, Invisalign works by gradually applying pressure in order to shift your teeth into the desired position. This pressure breaks down bone tissue, allowing your pearly whites to move. While the treatment is completely safe for your mouth, you may experience the trays not fully sliding into place on your teeth. This can occur for a few reasons, such as:
- You just began wearing a new set of aligners.
- You haven’t been sticking to the required wear time of 20-22 hours.
- Your aligners have become damaged due to not taking care of them properly.
Your Next Steps
Here are some helpful tips for each reason your Invisalign aligners may not be fitting in your mouth properly:
- New set of aligners – The discomfort of wearing new Invisalign aligners is usually the worst during the first hours of wearing them. Try putting in your new set before you go to bed so you can be asleep during the part of the treatment that makes your mouth most tender. To get them to fit just right, you can use an Invisalign chewy to get them to form over your teeth perfectly.
- Not fulfilling the required wear time – If you do not adhere to your treatment plan by wearing your aligners for the allotted amount of time, you risk delaying your treatment time because your teeth are not getting the consistent pressure they need to move into place. When you neglect to do so, you may find your trays won’t fit properly in your mouth. The best option is to contact your dentist. They will either recommend you go back to your former set of aligners for a while or come into your dental office to get a new set made. To save you time and money—and to keep your new future smile on track—it’s best to only remove your trays when you are eating and drinking anything other than water.
- Damaged aligners – While your aligners are durable, they can become damaged if not cared for properly. If you wash them with hot water or drink hot beverages, you risk warping the plastic, which affects how they fit. Be mindful to take your aligners out even for drinks, and to clean them only in lukewarm water, so they’ll last for as long as you need them.
The journey toward a straighter smile with Invisalign is exciting, but your aligners may be causing you problems. With the knowledge of what can cause your trays to not seat properly and these helpful tips, you can do everything you can to ensure you keep your treatment on track!
About the Author
Dr. Zelia Cannon and her team at Gently Dentistry Sparta are eager to help you achieve the smile of your dreams! She earned her doctorate at the New York College of Dentistry and is an active member American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. With 30 years of experience and a focus on personalized care, she can help you align your teeth with Invisalign and successfully guide you through the entire process. To schedule an appointment, contact her through her website or call (973) 729-9044.