My Invisalign Aligner Doesn’t Fit Right; What Should I Do?

While traditional braces are a tried and true way to straighten a misaligned smile, these conspicuous appliances are irremovable and require patients to refrain from eating or drinking items that are sugary, acidic, crunchy, sticky, or chewy. While Invisalign can be an excellent and more convenient alternative, some people may find that it is sometimes difficult to place and remove their clear aligners. Here’s a brief guide to how Invisalign works and how you can help your appliances fit more easily.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that straightens misaligned teeth with a series of customized clear aligners. The patient will have to adhere to the following rules:

• Wear the aligners for twenty to twenty-two hours a day
• Remove the aligners before oral hygiene sessions or eating or drinking anything but water
• Thoroughly brush and floss each time before reinserting the aligners
• Clean and soak the aligners at least once daily
• Carry a protective case to store the aligners when they are not worn
• Switch to the next set of aligners in the series every two weeks or as instructed
• Keep up with regular orthodontic checkups

This process allows patients to eat whatever they like, and the clear aligners are virtually invisible when worn. This makes it a great way to treat mild to moderate misalignments in patients who can commit to keeping careful track of their orthodontic appliances.

What if My Aligners Don’t Seem to Fit Properly?

Invisalign clear aligners are designed to fit snugly over the teeth so they can exert the consistent force necessary to shift them into healthier positions, and this tight fit can make it difficult to place them on your teeth at first. Thankfully, you can make the process of placing your aligners easier by gently pushing your aligners down on your front teeth and gradually working them onto your molars. You can also use products like Invisalign chewies, which are designed to help patients adjust to wearing their trays.

If you are having difficulty removing your trays, these tips may help make the process easier:

• Drink warm water beforehand to loosen the appliance
• Hold your mouth open for a minute or so to dry it out, which will make the appliances less slippery
• Hook your fingernails underneath the appliance to get a better grip
• Use surgical gloves to give your fingers better traction when holding the appliance
• Lift the appliance from the molars on one or both sides and gradually pull it off from the back

In some cases, a new set of aligners may simply refuse to fit properly. If this happens, contact your dentist so they can address the problem. They may recommend wearing your previous aligner to keep your teeth in place until your appointment.

About the Practice

Souris Valley Dental Group offers outstanding oral healthcare to the Minot community. Led by Drs. Mark Hildahl, Jerick Hensen, Grant Neil, Kevin Brodersen, and Joanna Brekhus, the staff ensures that each patient receives compassionate service while maintaining a warm and friendly office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign treatment. To learn more about the Invisalign process, contact the office online or dial (701) 852-5595.