If you want a straighter smile but prefer to avoid the frustration and added self-consciousness of having traditional braces, you might be a good candidate for Invisalign. Unlike standard orthodontics, this alternative treatment utilizes transparent plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth to shift them to their ideal places.
Most patients complete treatment in about 12 to 18+ months, but if your teeth don’t shift as intended, you might fall off track with your anticipated timeline. Continue reading to learn why this sometimes happens and what you can do to avoid it!
How Does Invisalign Work?
Instead of relying on bulky metal brackets and wires attached to your enamel, this service utilizes clear trays that are customized to fit over your arches to exert enough constant but gentle pressure to push them to their correct positions. But the aligners must be worn for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent your teeth from reverting to their starting places.
Then, after a week or two, your dentist will direct you to switch to wearing the next pair of trays in your series, which accounts for the ongoing movement of your teeth. You’ll also be expected to attend periodic follow-up appointments with your provider throughout your treatment so they can ensure you’re still on track and make any necessary adjustments as you move forward.
Why Aren’t My Teeth Tracking with Invisalign?
Have you noticed that your Invisalign fits more loosely than it did initially, or are you struggling to get the trays to fit over your teeth at all? Problems with their fit can indicate tracking issues, meaning your teeth might not have shifted into the correct positions at the anticipated rate.
There are a few reasons this might occur, such as:
- Not meeting designated wear times. If you don’t keep the trays inserted for 20 to 22 hours daily, your teeth could relapse to their original positions.
- Damaged aligners. If you have been eating or drinking with your trays inserted, they could become damaged or warped and no longer fit correctly, essentially rendering them ineffective.
- Not using buttons. If your treatment includes small attachments, or ‘buttons’, to help provide a firmer grip for the aligners, but you’re not using them as directed, you might fall behind your treatment timeline.
How Can I Stay On Track with My Invisalign?
There are several ways you can help care for your aligners correctly to stay on track, including:
- Using time wisely. You can use apps or other tools to help track your wear times to ensure you’re keeping your trays in long enough each day.
- Cleaning your aligners. You should take them out twice daily to gently scrub all sides with a soft-bristle toothbrush and mild dish soap that won’t damage the material to help avoid injuries that can affect their fit.
Finally, seeing your provider as directed throughout your treatment allows them to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your trays if you fall off track!
About the Practice
At Bell Dental, patients benefit from a team of providers who are passionate about helping them build the healthiest, most beautiful versions of their smiles. Our providers collaborate to offer a complete menu of services, including Invisalign, all under one roof, to meet your unique needs. Then they use state-of-the-art technology to deliver more comfortable, accurate results that last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (502) 749-2355.