If you’re getting Invisalign treatment and have not been careful to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day, then you’ve likely noticed your trays “aren’t tracking.”
This essentially means the trays aren’t making contact with your teeth, which impairs them from pulling your teeth into their most optimal position.
If left unchecked, you can even experience significant delays in your Invisalign treatment, as the teeth will resume their previous position if you don’t wear the aligners. Luckily, there are some things you can try to make the aligners fit back into your mouth:
Try Chewies
Chewies are special plastic cylinders that look a bit like a cotton roll. Essentially, you chew on them with the aligners to force them to sit on top of your teeth.
If you notice your aligners aren’t tracking, try chewing on these cylinders for a few minutes right after you put them in.
Don’t Take Them off Unless It’s for Brushing Your Teeth or Eating
Invisalign needs to make near-constant contact with your teeth in order to work. As a result, you should be wearing them for at least 22 hours every single day. The aligners only need to come out when you’re eating, and when you brush your teeth.
So after using the chewies, leave the aligners in. If it’s too painful, call your orthodontist to try the next tip.
Ask Your Orthodontist about Backtracking
Backtracking simply means going back to your previous set of aligners to give your teeth more time to move and be ready for the new set.
This is often the case when patients don’t wear the new aligners as much as they should, but it can also sometimes happen when you get put on new trays a bit too quickly.
It’s important to speak to your orthodontist about it, and not go back to your old trays on your own. Backtracking isn’t a solution for everyone, in some cases, you may even need to get a new set of aligners.
Get a New Set of Aligners
If your teeth have shifted too much and the aligners just don’t fit anymore, the only thing you can do is swap them for a new pair.
However, remember that even if the new pair fits perfectly, you can go right back to where you started if you don’t consistently wear your aligners!
Interested in Invisalign? We Can Help!
If you’re dealing with tooth misalignment and don’t want to get visible metal braces, Invisalign might be just what you need.
Dr. Douglas Hope can help you find out if this treatment is right for you, and create a personalized plan to straighten your teeth and get you a beautiful smile that you love.
To get started, simply book a consultation at Douglas G. Hope DDS, FAGD online, or call us at (760) 480-8883.
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