Are Your Teeth Not Tracking With Your Invisalign Plan?

You invest a lot in plans to better your teeth–such as Invisalign. You’re committed to improving your smile and doing everything right. So, it’s natural to feel frustrated and disappointed when your teeth aren’t tracking according to your Invisalign plan.

 

Tracking refers to your teeth’s movement in conjunction with your treatment plan. Gradually, successive force moves teeth into an improved position. Patients progress to new Invisalign trays as they work toward achieving their ideal smile.

 

Below, we’ll explore why your Invisalign plan might not be tracking:

Your Body’s Specific Response To Invisalign Might Be Causing Issues.

The computer-modeled treatment plans employed with Invisalign patients are highly effective and diverse. Still, they can’t predict specific differences in patients’ bodily responses to treatments.

 

In lay terms, not all teeth can easily jive with such treatments. Thus, patients with more stubbornly rigid teeth might struggle to track with their Invisalign plan.

 

One solution is applying Invisalign buttons or attachments to stubborn teeth, giving these teeth a helpful nudge toward tracking with the plan. Rubber bands anchor to the affixed buttons to move the teeth with the resulting extra force. 

You’re Failing To Wear Your Invisalign For 22 Hours Per Day.

You wouldn’t be alone if you weren’t wearing your Invisalign for the requisite 22 hours per day. Even if you wear them for that time, your two-hour break might yield still-crooked teeth after your treatments.

 

Consider using a free app like TrayMinder to record your smile journey. It’ll calculate the time you’re not wearing Invisalign and remind you to set limits for going trayless.

  

Another option is using the “smart” retainer case called nCase. It has a mobile app that simplifies tracking your wear time. 

You’re Neglecting Your Chewing Exercises.

Orthodontic tooth movement–triggered by aligners–helps your teeth reach their improved positions.

Your teeth come together, and trays tighten whenever you swallow or clench. Yet, this process doesn’t apply force to your front teeth–it only does it to your molars–resulting in tracking-related issues.

Performing Invisalign specialist-recommended chewing exercises will apply seating pressure to your front teeth. They should be done 3-5 minutes at a time, 3-5 times daily while revolving around your front six teeth.

These exercises give extra motivation to your teeth, encouraging them to move. A small foam tube known as a Chewie is the typical device used for these exercises. You bite one until the aligners click into place.

Want more information about Invisalign tracking? Contact our orthodontist in Berkeley. We serve patients from Oakland, Pinole, El Cerrito, San Pablo, and Richmond and want to help you achieve your dream smile!