Invisalign “tracking” is a term used to refer to how well the clear aligners fit when you put them on.
If you’ve recently noticed your Invisalign trays aren’t tracking properly, this could be bad news for your treatment.
Check out this short blog post to learn what to do when Invisalign stops fitting.
Why Does Invisalign Stop Tracking?
The most common cause for Invisalign not fitting is failing to wear them as much as you’re supposed to.
Patients usually need to wear their aligners for around 22 hours every single day, and only take them out to eat, drink anything other than water, and brush their teeth. If you don’t wear your aligners for a long time, they will likely not fit anymore and your teeth will have moved back to their original position.
Or, perhaps your aligners are damaged and changed their shape. This usually happens when they are exposed to heat, which makes the plastic more malleable.
Another potential cause is switching to your new aligners too quickly. If your teeth are slower to reposition, it could mean you’ll need to wear the previous trays longer than your dentist estimated.
What to Do When Your Invisalign Isn’t Tracking
Try Chewies
Chewies are soft devices that can help your Invisalign track. Essentially, you need to bite down and chew on them, which may create enough pressure to help the trays go over your teeth.
Chewies are often used when patients get a new pair of trays, or to help patients remove the discomfort of wearing Invisalign. But, they can also be useful to help the trays track again.
Talk to Your Dentist About Backtracking
Backtracking refers to going back to your previous trays. This is necessary when the teeth haven’t moved enough for the new trays to fit.
However, you should not backtrack without discussing it with your Houston dentist, who has the full overview of how your teeth should reposition. You may need to go in for an appointment, so the dentist can inspect your teeth before recommending backtracking.
Get a New Set of Trays
Sometimes, even with chewies or backtracking, your current trays might not fit on your teeth properly.
In these cases, your only option is to get a new pair and continue your treatment. Once you do, be sure to follow all treatment recommendations to prevent going through this issue again in the future.
Interested in Invisalign? We Can Help
Invisalign is one of the most popular types of orthodontic treatments, ideal for patients of all ages. However, the best way to know for sure if you’re a good candidate for these clear aligners is to see Dr. Bianca Williams and Dr. John Ma for a short assessment.
To get started, you can request an Invisalign appointment at EaDo Family Dental online, or call us at (713) 474-2334.
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