As a preferred alternative to traditional braces, clear aligners offer a more discreet and flexible way to straighten teeth. However, with their many benefits, they also require much responsibility on behalf of the wearer. If you suddenly find that your trays are no longer fitting correctly, read on to learn why this might be happening and what you can do to avoid a delay in treatment.
Reasons Why Clear Aligners May Not Be Fitting Correctly
It’s not unusual for your aligners to feel “odd” when initially receiving them or switching to a new set in the series. However, if you begin to notice that they are easily popping off your back teeth or just do not fit comfortably after some time, it may be that one of the following reasons is to blame:
- You Are Not Following the 22-Hour Rule: Clear aligners must be worn 22 hours a day if teeth are to move into proper alignment. Failing to follow this rule can result in your trays not fitting properly in place. This can cause a delay in your treatment, requiring you to wear your trays longer or requiring you to accept an inferior result.
- Your Clear Aligners Are Damaged: Whether you accidentally used hot water to clean your trays, causing them to become warped, or you failed to keep them in a protective case, resulting in damage, this can lead to an improper fit. It’s important that while wearing clear aligners, you take care of them while they are both inside and outside of your mouth. Otherwise, you might end up with trays that are misshapen and cannot adequately align your teeth.
- You Are Switching to a New Set: When trading out an old set for a new one, it’s normal for your trays to not fit your teeth perfectly. The reason is that your teeth need time to shift to match the design of your aligners. Over a few days you should begin to notice that they feel more comfortable, allowing you to keep your treatment on track.
What Methods Can Be Used to Avoid Needing New Aligners?
If you want to avoid needing a new set of aligners to address their improper fit, there are a few tips an orthodontist recommends you can follow:
- If you just switched to a new set in the series, make sure to wear them for 22 hours each day. The only time you should remove them is if you are eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth and trays.
- Wear your previous trays for a few days longer.
- Chew your clear aligners into place. Every time you re-insert an aligner, you should bite and clench firmly on your back teeth 3-4 times, then bite and clench firmly on your front few teeth 3-4 times to “chew” the aligner into the correct fit. Consider chewing on a pencil to target areas that are tough to ensure full seating.
- Call your orthodontist for help. If none of the above-mentioned solutions work, make sure to contact someone at your orthodontist’s office to find out what can be done to keep treatment on track.
Just because clear aligners do not fit properly right away does not mean there is something wrong with them or that you will need a new set of trays. However, being mindful of what is working and what is not will give you the best chance to seek help and ensure a healthier, straighter smile awaits.
About the Practice
Grayslake Orthodontics is a family-friendly practice that is committed to delivering exceptional results with the help of traditional orthodontics, clear aligners, dentofacial orthopedics, oral appliances, and even special needs orthodontics. Treating patients of all ages, we offer clear aligners as a preferred alternative to traditional braces. Visit our website or call us at (847) 548-4330 if you would like to discuss aligner treatment for yourself or your child.
