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My Aligner Doesn’t Fit – What Do I Do?

December 12, 2024

Woman with Invisalign

If you want to work towards a straighter smile, Invisalign is a great way to achieve these goals without enduring a mouthful of metal brackets and wires. Invisalign’s discreet appearance makes the treatment ideal for older teens and adults. It’s understandable to be concerned if your aligner doesn’t fit quite right. Here’s why this could be the case and what you can do about it.

Why Doesn’t My Invisalign Fit?

Trays popping off your back teeth or a tooth or two that do not fit comfortably are common concerns. While aligners don’t always fit perfectly at first, they tend to become more comfortable as your treatment progresses. However, in some cases, ill-fitting aligners are a due to an issue. Here are some of the possible causes:

  • New Aligners: You get new aligners at the end of each stage of treatment. This means that with each set of aligners, your teeth haven’t quite made the movements needed to fit perfectly comfortable. You may need to massage your aligners down to get a smoother fit. Over the course of those two weeks, your teeth will shift into place.
  • Non-Compliance: If you aren’t wearing your aligners for 22 hours each day, your teeth may not be moving as effectively as they should. This can make it more difficult for your aligners to fit and prolong your treatment time.
  • Damage: If your aligner is damaged, it might not fit properly. For example, if you wash your aligners in hot water or drink hot beverage with your aligners in, they can become warped and no longer fit correctly.

What to Do If Your Aligner Doesn’t Fit

There are several ways to help your aligners fit better. When you put in your aligners, make sure to push them down on your front teeth before applying pressure to the molars until they snap into place. Then, use your thumbs to press along the entire surface of the aligners to seal them into place.

If your aligners don’t fit over one or a couple of teeth, this usually means that there is a gap between the tooth and the aligner. This is a good time to try out an Invisalign chewy. You can bite down of them to help eliminate gaps and remove air bubbles. Use your chewies for about 10 to 15 minutes a day when you first get a new set of aligners.

If you think your aligner isn’t fitting because it is damaged, let your dentist know. They will tell you the next steps to get back on track with your treatment.

For questions regarding your Invisalign aligners or progress, contact your dentist. You will be showing off a straighter smile in just a matter of time!

About the Author

Dr. Kevin Grill earned his dental doctorate from The Ohio State University. He is a proud member of several professional organizations, including the Ohio Dental Association, American Dental Association, Columbus Dental Society, and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He is also Invisalign certified. To learn more about Invisalign or to schedule an appointment at his office in Huntsville, visit his website or call (937) 843-3932.