Have you recently noticed that one of your clear aligners doesn’t seem to fit quite right? It might be lifting at the edges, leaving gaps, or simply not feeling as snug as it should. There’s no reason to panic—many Invisalign patients end up dealing with this issue at one point in their treatment. However, it’s no reason to panic, and certainly isn’t going to lead to you having to start your treatment from the beginning. Here’s what you need to know, and how you can easily get things back on track.
What Causes Invisalign to Stop Fitting Correctly?
Although Invisalign is quite effective when it comes to straightening teeth, correcting bite patterns, and resolving other types of orthodontic issues, there are a few things that can cause the aligners to not fit properly. Some common culprits include:
- You skipped ahead too quickly. If you moved on to the next set of trays before your teeth were fully in position, the new aligners may not sit well because your teeth haven’t caught up yet.
- You haven’t been wearing your aligners long enough each day. Clear aligners require 20–22 hours of wear per day to work as intended. Falling short of that, even by a couple of hours, can cause your teeth to drift back, leaving the current tray feeling loose or uneven.
- Your attachments are worn down. Small tooth-colored bumps called attachments are sometimes used to help anchor your aligners and guide tooth movement. If they’ve worn down and become smooth, your aligners may not grip as well as they should.
- The tray itself is distorted. If your tray has been exposed to hot water, left in a warm car, or cleaned improperly, it may have warped slightly out of shape. Physical damage can also alter the shape of the aligners.
Troubleshooting Poorly Fitting Aligners
Luckily, there are a few at-home strategies you can use to help your aligners fit correctly, including:
- Wear your Invisalign chewies – These are small, spongy cylinders that are designed specifically to help aligners sit properly. Place in your aligner, and then carefully bite down on a chewie and work it slowly around your entire arch. You can repeat this a few times a day as needed.
- Go back to your previous tray – If chewies alone aren’t doing the trick, you can consider going back to a previous aligner for a few days after speaking with your provider. Sometimes this is all it takes to get your treatment back on track and let you begin your next set of aligners correctly.
- Keep up with your wear time – It’s much less likely that you’ll encounter issues if you’re consistently wearing your trays for 22 hours each day.
If you’re still not able to achieve a snug fit after a couple of days, it’s time to let your orthodontist know. It might indicate that your teeth aren’t moving as intended, which may not even be under your control! However, they’ll be able to quickly take a look and figure out the best way of getting things back on schedule, whether it’s a replacement aligner, an adjustment to your treatment plan, or something else entirely.
About Simply Orthodontics
Our team here at Simply Orthodontics has served patients and families in Hopkinton and the surrounding New England area for several years. With Dr. Sam Alkhoury leading the way, we offer a wide selection of orthodontic services for patients of all ages, including Invisalign clear aligners, traditional metal braces, and many more. If you have any questions about the blog or you’re ready to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, visit us online or call today for more information. Telephone: (508) 917-4466.
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