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Initial wear of Invisalign aligners is likely to cause minor discomfort, especially since your teeth must adjust to the new material inside your mouth. Each tray is crafted so that your pearly whites will shift and conform to the design. However, beyond the general soreness that can arise, you may begin to wonder what might be wrong if your aligner(s) do not fit as they should. How does this happen, and is there anything you can do? Read on to find out.
What Keeps Invisalign From Fitting Properly?
There are several reasons why your Invisalign trays may not be fitting as comfortably (or correctly), such as:
- You’re not wearing them the full 20-22 hours each day
- There are gaps between your Invisalign and teeth
- Your aligners are damaged or have become warped
- The trays are worn out because you haven’t changed them as often as you should
- Certain teeth are stubborn and do not want to move
How Can You Avoid New Aligners & Improve the Fit of Your Trays?
It’s natural to think the only way to address this problem is to have new aligners created, but this may not be necessary – at least not initially. There are a few things you can try to help your Invisalign trays fit properly, including:
- Using Your Invisalign Chewies: These cylindrical chewies are commonly used among Invisalign wearers, as they can help move aligners into place for maximum function. Their soft material makes it easy to bite down on them for 5-10 minutes, ensuring the trays move into place over your teeth.
- Make Sure You’re Abiding By the 20-22-Hour Wear Time: If you think 18 or 19 hours is good enough, it’s not. You’ll avoid delays and an improper fit if you agree to maintain the 20-22-hour wear time rule.
- Ask Orthodontist About Reverting to Previous Set: This should only happen if your orthodontist gives you the okay. You can try wearing your previous set of aligners for 1-2 weeks to see if your teeth will shift and move in the right direction.
- Ask About a Revision: If nothing works, and your aligners still do not fit correctly, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to discuss a possible revision. Reviewing your existing plan and making changes can help stubborn teeth begin to move. This may require ordering additional aligners to help these teeth get on track.
Invisalign offers greater comfort than traditional metal braces, but it can still cause minimal discomfort at different stages of treatment. By staying on top of your aligner wear and making sure you follow your orthodontist’s guidelines, you can be sure that your trays will fit as they should from beginning to end.
About the Author
Are you concerned that your Invisalign aligners are not fitting properly? Dr. Saba Asrar understands the frustration you may be experiencing, which is why she remains readily available to help individuals like yourself keep your treatment on track. By providing Invisalign chewies and recommending other essential ways to ensure a correct fit, Dr. Asrar can help you feel more comfortable and confident in your tray’s ability to shift teeth in the right direction. If you notice your aligners do not feel right or are causing extreme discomfort, visit our website or call (512) 828-7900.
