Invisalign aligners have quickly become incredibly popular among orthodontic patients, and when you compare them to traditional braces it’s easy to see why. They’re discreet, removable, and come with basically no dietary restrictions.
However, their removability means that some people have a problem with the fit of their aligners—or at least think that they do. If you’re dealing with that, here’s why that could be the case.
How Should My Invisalign Aligner Fit?
Before understanding what to do if your aligner doesn’t fit, you should probably understand what a poor fit entails. Your aligner straightens your teeth by putting constant pressure on them, so your they should be fairly tight. However, your aligner also needs to be able to contain your teeth once they move, so there should be small gaps in your aligner for them to move into.
What to Do if My Aligner Doesn’t Fit?
If you find that your aligner is a little uncomfortable, that may actually just be natural. It’s also fairly normal to have a little bit of trouble seating your aligner, especially at first. If you haven’t already, you could get Invisalign chewies, which are small foam tubes that you can bite down on to help you seat your aligners.
You should also make sure that, as a general rule, you’re wearing your aligners often enough. It’s recommended that you wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day, which means taking them off for just long enough to eat and clean them afterward.
However, it’s also a real possibility that your aligner just doesn’t fit the way it ought to, especially if it’s felt that way for quite a while. Your trays may have warped due to extreme temperatures, or they could have been manufactured incorrectly. If you feel that that’s the case, you should contact your dentist about a replacement.
About the Author
Dr. Eduart Shkurti is a dentist who prides himself on being able to offer his patients state-of-the-art dentistry in an environment that can put his patients completely at ease. Dr. Shkurti worked for nine years as a dentist in Albania before moving to the U.S., where he graduated from the USC School of Dental Medicine. He’s now an active member of the American Dental Association and the New York Dental Society.
If you have any questions about how to care for your Invisalign aligner, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (718) 806-1662.