Invisalign aligners are custom-designed for each individual patient. They should have a snug but comfortable fit. But what should you do if one of your Invisalign aligners does not fit? This blog post explains a couple of possible reasons for this issue. It also provides practical suggestions to help you deal with the situation.
You Are Wearing a New Aligner
Problems with the way Invisalign fits are most common when a person first starts wearing a new aligner. The aligner has not yet had time to shift your teeth, so it can feel tight. It might resist you when you try to place it on your teeth. It could even pop out of its position after you put it in your mouth.
In most cases, this issue is pretty easy to fix. Try biting down on Invisalign chewies for 10 – 15 minutes. The chewies are soft plastic cylinders that can help you to place gentle pressure on your aligners, which should help to secure them onto your teeth. You can ask your dentist to give you some chewies, or you can order them online.
You Are Not Wearing Your Aligners Enough
In order to work effectively, Invisalign aligners should be on your teeth for 20 – 22 hours each day (the longer, the better). If you sometimes forget to wear them, your teeth may not be moving as quickly as they should. When you switch to a new aligner, therefore, it might not want to slide onto your teeth.
If you believe that inadequate aligner wear time is the culprit behind your fit problems with Invisalign, you might need to go back to using a previous aligner for a while before you move forward with your treatment. Of course, you should ask your dentist for personalized guidance in this situation.
There Is a Problem with Your Aligner
In some cases, an aligner does not fit because it was not made correctly or it got damaged at some point. It is also possible that your treatment plan requires some minor adjustments.
If you believe something is wrong with one of your aligners, tell your dentist. They can order a replacement for you or come up with another appropriate solution.
Your Invisalign aligners should fit your teeth perfectly. If one of yours does not, the suggestions in this blog post may be able to help.
Meet the Practice
The talented team members at All Dental are proud to provide Invisalign treatment for members of our community. If you have questions about what to expect with this orthodontic method, we would love to speak with you. To book your FREE Invisalign consultation, contact our Watertown dental office at 617-924-9993.