Your Invisalign treatment may appear to be progressing slowly. Alternatively, your orthodontist may be dissatisfied with your development after reviewing the scan results.
Your ortho will monitor your progress weekly and may adjust the treatment plan or advise you on how to use the aligners more efficiently. However, what are the warning signals that your aligners are not tracking properly? Below, we’ll explore how to identify if your aligners aren’t performing as expected and how to resolve the issue.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign uses innovative 3D modeling software to transform your smile from its current state to its desired state. To begin, a scan of the interior of your mouth is taken and imported into Invisalign’s software. There, your orthodontist develops a comprehensive plan for the movement of each individual tooth throughout treatment.
These computer simulations are used to produce a succession of practically undetectable clear plastic trays that fit snugly around your teeth. If you wear these trays for 22-24 hours every day, they will gradually guide your teeth into their desired positions (a process known as tracking). You can remove the trays while eating or brushing your teeth.
What is Clear Aligner Tracking?
For many people who wish to improve their smile but are unable or unable to utilize traditional braces, the Invisalign tooth straightening system is a miracle. Indeed, it has been used to straighten the teeth of over 6 million people, both adults, and adolescents.
In terms of tracking, it refers to how your teeth move according to your treatment plan. We cannot straighten your teeth overnight, but we can move them into a new position and instruct them to stay there with progressive and successive force. We repeat this progressive process of movement, training, and movement again with each new set of trays until we get a grin you can be proud of.
Orthodontic doctors construct your treatment plan using very advanced systems. ClinCheck software generates an exceptionally detailed picture of your teeth’s size, shape, and position, as well as the progression of their movement into their new places. In cases where Invisalign treatment doesn’t go according to plan, we are able to make mid-course corrections or modifications post-treatment to provide you with the kind of smile you’ve always wanted.
Therefore, why are your teeth not tracking properly? Although we can discuss five typical reasons in this blog, if you are truly concerned about your progress, it is always advisable to see your orthodontist.
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How to Tell If Invisalign is Tracking Correctly
For best results, make sure your aligners are as close to your teeth as possible. You’ll get a couple of chewies from your orthodontist to help keep your teeth from shifting throughout treatment. While wearing your Invisalign aligners, be sure to bite down on the chewies every morning and evening to keep them snug against your teeth.
Your teeth may not be tracking properly if there are gaps between your aligner and your teeth’s edges that aren’t filled up every day with the chewies. This could be because you haven’t worn your aligners long enough, or the tray needs to be redesigned.
What to Do if Invisalign is Not Tracking
Your aligners may not be correctly fitting if they aren’t tracking properly. Here’s what you can do:
Start by using Invisalign Chewies
Your aligners may be too tight and not want to properly seat on your teeth if you switched to a fresh pair and observed that they aren’t tracking.
It’s better to get chewies from your dentist or get them online with Invisalign. These cotton roll-shaped chewables are made of long-lasting material. When you put your aligners back on, you’re instructed to chew on them for a few minutes. By applying little pressure to your aligners while chewing a chewie, you can eliminate tooth tracking difficulties.
Related: How to Use Chewies for Invisalign
Ask your Dentist about Backtracking to a previous set of Aligners
Talk to your dentist about backtracking if your prior pair of aligners fit well. The last set of aligners may not have been able to shift your teeth into the correct position. Therefore you may need to try a new set.
Before starting a new set of aligners, wear your prior set for a few days to make sure your teeth have migrated into the proper positions. However, this should only be done after speaking with your dentist.
Treatment Revision
There may be instances where your teeth aren’t moving fast enough for your treatment to keep up. Every smile is different. If this is the case, you’ll want to contact your dentist right once to make arrangements. You will be offered a new treatment plan after your mouth is re-evaluated. New aligners may be provided to you so that you can continue on your journey to a straighter smile.
If your Invisalign treatment has stalled, consider implementing some of the advice provided here. You can achieve a beautiful smile by cooperating with your dentist and maintaining your commitment to your treatment.
Contact Kumra Orthodontics to learn more about how to tell if Invisalign is tracking
We understand that many people are anxious to see results, and when they don’t seem to be moving as quickly as we expect, anxiety can set in. It’s important to remember that Invisalign is a process, not an event.
The teeth will move, but sometimes it takes a little longer than we anticipate. If you’re concerned about your Invisalign progress, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office for more information. Kumra Orthodontics would be happy to discuss your case with you and help ease any concerns you may have.
