Invisalign is designed to move your teeth gradually, with each new set of aligners building on the progress of the last over the course of several months. That said, sometimes aligners don’t fit exactly as they should; a problem often referred to as them “not tracking.” If you’ve noticed gaps between your aligners and your teeth, or trays that feel harder to snap into place, here’s what might be going on and how to get your treatment back on schedule.
What Does It Mean When My Aligners Aren’t Tracking?
Tracking simply refers to how closely your teeth are following the specific movements planned out in your treatment plan. When aligners are tracking well, they fit snugly against your teeth with little to no gaps. But when they’re not tracking, you may notice your aligners don’t feel fully seated when you’re wearing them, there’s visible space between the tray and certain teeth, or the next set in your series feels too tight. Generally speaking, this usually means your teeth haven’t moved as much as expected by that stage in treatment.
Common Reasons Aligners Fall Behind
There are a few common culprits behind tracking issues, including:
- Inconsistent wear time: Not wearing your aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours a day means less consistent pressure on your teeth, which can slow your progress to a halt.
- Moving through trays too quickly: Switching to a new set before your teeth have caught up to the previous one can cause aligners to stop fitting properly.
- Complex tooth movements: Certain movements, like rotating teeth, are more complex and may simply take longer, even with perfect patient compliance.
- Not using chewies: Invisalign chewies are small, foam cylinders that can help seat your aligners. Not using them to help can result in trays that don’t fit as snugly as they should.
- Missed appointments: Skipping progress visits makes it harder for your dentist or orthodontist to catch tracking issues early, before they affect your timeline.
Tips for Getting Back on Track
If you notice your aligners aren’t fitting the way they should, the best thing to do is reach out to your orthodontist at once. Catching tracking issues early makes it much easier to correct the course without significantly extending your overall timeline.
That said, staying consistent is the best way to avoid tracking problems in the first place. Keep track of your wear time throughout the day, and try to only remove your aligners for eating, drinking anything besides water, and brushing your teeth. Also, using Invisalign chewies for a few minutes each time you switch to a new set can also help ensure your aligners seat fully right from the start.
The bottom line is, staying on top of your Invisalign timeline makes all the difference in reaching your smile goals without unnecessary delays!
About the Practice
Our team here at University Dental Group has proudly served the needs of patients and families in Worcester and the surrounding communities for several years, offering a wide range of services including Invisalign clear aligners. If you have any questions about the blog or you’re ready to schedule an appointment for yourself or a family member, you can reach out to us online or give our office a call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 753-1911.