Posted on November 9, 2023
Clear aligners are a great way to get the orthodontic treatment you need without the commitment of traditional braces. It’s recommended that you wear your Invisalign aligners most of the time to get the desired results. However, if you get off track, it’s not the end of the world. Here are some tips on what to do if you haven’t been wearing your aligners as recommended.
According to Invisalign, to get the desired effect of the device, you will need to wear them for at least 22 hours a day. Although that may sound like a lot at first, it’s still not nearly as invasive as traditional braces. When you start neglecting this routine, your teeth will start to shift back to their original position.
Another option is to use Invisalign chewies. These are flexible soft rolls of material that look a bit like an earplug. After you put your tray back in your mouth, you begin chewing on a chewie. Chew on this for a few minutes. This helps to force the aligners over your teeth and deeper into the crevices of your mouth. This is very helpful if you haven’t been wearing your aligners as you should.
If you happen to fall behind on your treatments, there is the option of backtracking. Backtracking is a procedure in which you swap your trays out for the previous set you were using. This helps your teeth get back to a baseline of improvement. When you stop using your trays, you may lose progress, and this can help to correct that. Lengthening your treatment time, a little is a better option than having to start over completely.
If you really start to neglect your treatments, you may need revision treatment. During a revision, your mouth will be reassessed so that you can have your treatment plan updated. To make the most of your treatments, it’s necessary to follow your treatment plan carefully. This will save you both time and money. If you’re interested in clear aligners or need help with your treatments, please contact our orthodontic team today.