If it feels like your Invisalign clear aligner isn’t fitting quite right, it shouldn’t be a massive cause of concern. While it could mean that your treatment isn’t progressing exactly as it should be, there’s no reason to sound the alarm–there are still several ways to correct things and get back on track. Here’s what you should know about how your aligners should fit, reasons why they might not fit properly, and how you can get them to fit correctly.
How Should My Invisalign Clear Aligners Fit?
It can take some time to get used to wearing your clear aligners, but they should slide smoothly into place and fit snugly over your teeth from the first time you wear them. While you might notice some small spaces around your teeth within an aligner, these are likely to close as the teeth realign over the course of wearing it. When the time comes for you to move on to a new aligner, you should no longer notice any of these spaces.
What If My Invisalign Clear Aligners Do Not Fit Properly?
If your aligner keeps popping off your back teeth or doesn’t seem to fit right on one or more teeth, it may be cause for concern. Here are some reasons why your aligner might not fit properly:
You’ve recently switched to new aligners
By the time you are done with one aligner, it should fit quite smoothly because it has directed your teeth into new positions. When you put in a new aligner, it might feel awkward because it will start moving the teeth further. Try massaging the new aligner so it fits better until your teeth start shifting into place.
You haven’t been wearing your aligners as instructed
Invisalign aligners need to be worn for 22 hours a day in order for the teeth to shift properly. If you lose one or have not been wearing them enough, your teeth might not be in the proper positions when the time comes for you to switch to a new aligner. This has the tendency to cause serious setbacks to one’s treatment timeline.
Your aligners have been damaged
Invisalign aligners are not unbreakable and can become damaged without proper care. Exposure to hot liquids during drinking or cleaning can cause them to fit poorly by warping them. To keep them in good shape, take your aligners out while drinking and make sure to only wash them in lukewarm water.
What Can I Do to Get My Invisalign Clear Aligners to Fit Properly?
There are a few at-home remedies that can help your aligners fit better. When you put your aligner in, first push it down over your front teeth before applying pressure at the molars to snap it into place. Then massage the whole aligner into place with your thumbs. Invisalign chewies are tools specially designed to improve the way aligners fit by eliminating gaps and air bubbles from between them and the teeth, and they can often help if your new aligners don’t seem to fit properly.
If you’ve tried everything and still find that your aligners don’t quite fit, contact your orthodontic provider to schedule an exam. Your orthodontist will be able to get you back on track to a healthier and more beautiful smile. Patience is a virtue, and it can lead to a lifetime of rewards with Invisalign.
About the Author
Dr. Eugene Han earned his dental degree at the University of the Pacific before practicing general dentistry in the U.S. Army for more than three years. He then completed his specialty training in orthodontics at the University of Southern California while also earning a master’s degree in craniofacial biology. His office in Kaufman, TX offers traditional orthodontics in addition to Invisalign treatments. For more information on Invisalign clear aligners, contact his office online or dial (972) 932-3918.