Helpful Tips From Dr. Grussmark
Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners to straighten your teeth for maximum discretion and convenience. The treatment is also up to two times faster than metal braces, allowing you to enjoy your new smile in about 12 months.
While Invisalign eliminates many of the common drawbacks associated with braces, we’ve noticed a few issues that our patients have brought up repeatedly during treatment. Explore our guide to learn some valuable tips on troubleshooting your aligners.
There’s a gap between the aligners and my teeth
When a gap forms between the aligners and your teeth, this is known as an incisal gap. An incisal gap typically occurs if you’re not wearing your aligners enough or if your aligners are moving at a different pace than your teeth.
To correct this, Dr. Grussmark may provide cotton balls or a similar material to bite down on until your aligners fit comfortably. If this doesn’t work, contact our office for further instructions.
The aligners are making me speak with a lisp
When you first start wearing your aligners, you may develop a slight lisp when you speak. Within a week, your mouth will adjust to the aligners and your lisp should go away. If it doesn’t, your aligners probably aren’t fitted correctly and you should contact our office immediately.
There’s food stuck between my teeth and aligners
Invisalign trays are removable so you can take them out before meals and enjoy all your favorite foods. However, it’s crucial to brush your teeth and floss after you eat before putting your aligners back in. This will prevent food crumbs and bacteria from getting stuck in your aligners.
I’ve been wearing my aligners correctly, but I’m not seeing any progress
Even if you’re not seeing any noticeable progress, your aligners are most likely working as planned. Invisalign shifts your teeth very subtly, with each set of aligners only applying pressure to certain teeth. You won’t see much of a difference day-to-day, but your smile will look exactly how you expect it to by the end of treatment.
Ask Dr. Grussmark About Troubleshooting Your Aligners
If you experience any issues with your Invisalign aligners, Dr. Grussmark and our team are here to help you. Don’t hesitate to call our office anytime at 305-842-3672. We’ll ensure you get the care you need to keep your Invisalign treatment on-track.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I reduce the likelihood of cracks or breaks in my Invisalign aligners?
Invisalign aligners are generally very durable, but may occasionally crack or break when they’re removed from the mouth. This can happen when you begin a new phase of treatment with tight aligners, or when they’re stressed repeatedly on the same spot.
When you start a new phase of treatment, it’s wise to switch to your new aligner at night before bed. This gives your teeth a longer window of time while you sleep to adapt to your new trays and avoids the need to remove them while they’re tightest. When you do remove your aligners, avoid pulling them from the same side each time to prevent regular stress on the same areas.
What should I do if I lose or break an aligner?
When an aligner is lost or broken, a quick response is important to preserve the alignment of your teeth. Leaving your aligners out for more than a few hours can begin to reverse your progress. To prevent you from losing time, we encourage you to keep your aligner from each previous phase of treatment to wear in case your current aligner is lost. Keep only your most recent aligner as a backup—you don’t want to rely on trays from earlier in your treatment.
Contact Dr. Grussmark at the earliest opportunity to get a replacement for your lost or broken aligner. Don’t move on to the alignment tray for your next phase of treatment unless instructed. You don’t need to feel embarrassed or hesitant about reporting a lost tray, you’ll lose less treatment time by acting quickly and keeping your orthodontist informed.
Can drinks or food residue stain my Invisalign aligners?
Particles of food can remain on your teeth and cause stains on your aligners when you return them to your mouth. To keep your trays transparent, you’re always recommended to brush your teeth after every meal. Additionally, it’s best to drink only clear water while wearing your Invisalign trays. Darker liquids can cause discoloration of your aligners and may trap sugary liquids between the trays and your teeth.
