Invisalign Inquiry: Why Doesn’t Mine Fit Well?

Many people want straighter smiles but aren’t eager to have bulky brackets attached to their teeth for the duration of their treatment. If you’re looking for a more discreet solution, you might benefit from Invisalign.

This clear alternative to traditional braces relies on transparent plastic trays that fit snuggly over your teeth to gently shift them. However, that’s only if they fit correctly! If you’re struggling to get your aligners in place, continue reading to learn why this happens and what you can do!

How Should Invisalign Fit?

This treatment continues to gain popularity as more people realize there’s a less invasive way to reposition their pearly whites. That said, if you’re unsure how they are supposed to feel when they’re in place, you might not know whether yours fit correctly.

Your trays are all designed by special software in advance. You must wear them for 20 to 22 hours to prevent your teeth from reverting to their previous places, and then in one to two weeks, your dentist will give you a new pair to switch to. When the aligners are new, they have a tight fit with small air bubbles that close over time as your teeth shift to accommodate.

How Should I Insert My Invisalign?

If your Invisalign tends to pop off your back teeth or you have a hard time getting them in your mouth, you might not meet the allotted daily wear time, which can elongate your treatment. If you’re struggling to keep them on, you can try:

• Push them over your front teeth first. Then, apply press them down over your molars until they snap into place. You can then move your thumbs along the entire surface to ensure they’re fully sealed.
• Use Invisalign chewies. You can bite down onto these soft, cylindrical tubes for several seconds at a time, moving them along your teeth, to press your Invisalign into place using your natural chewing power.

Why Doesn’t My Invisalign Fit Correctly?

Understanding why your Invisalign might not fit well can help you avoid potential problems. It might have issues if:

• You’re not wearing it long enough. If your teeth have started shifting to their original placements, your next set of trays likely won’t fit. You should contact your dentist so they can have you rewear a previous set, or make appropriate adjustments to your treatment timeline and order new trays.
• You have a new set of aligners. These plastic covers are intended to have some room for movement, so it’s normal for them to have a few gaps of air when you first start wearing them.
• Your trays are damaged. If your Invisalign is cracked, broken, or warped by heat, it might not fit correctly, and can’t reposition your grin.

If you’re still unsure of why your Invisalign doesn’t seem to click into place, it may be time to call your dentist for help!

Meet the Author

Dr. Philip Lisk has 20+ years of experience helping you and your family build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He earned his dental doctorate at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill and continued his education with training at the Dawson Academy to stay on top of the latest developments in dental technology and techniques. Today is an active member of the American Dental Association and other prestigious organizations, so you know your teeth are in good hands. If you want a straighter smile, you can request an Invisalign consultation on the website or call (919) 870-6892.