Invisalign is a popular choice for teeth straightening, but what happens when your Invisalign aligners aren’t fitting properly?
Poor-fitting Invisalign can be caused by many things, from incorrect measurements to gum recession. Luckily, there are ways to make them fit again.
In this article, I’ll explain why your Invisalign doesn’t fit correctly, and how to make it fit again.
Invisalign fitting issues
You may face various types of fitting issues with Invisalign trays. Some of them can be normal and you don’t need to worry about that. However, some of them may be unusual and need to be solved to make the Invisalign work properly. Following are the issues related to Invisalign fitting.
First Invisalign trays not fitting
This is the most common issue faced by Invisalign wearers. When you get aligners for the first time, the day may not fit on your teeth properly.
In most cases, it’s normal because your dentist doesn’t give you active aligners. She wants to get adapted to the aligners at first before he or she gives you aligners that put pressure on teeth.
However, it may not fit even after you get active trays in some cases. Sometimes it may be normal and sometimes it’s not.
Know more about the first Invisalign trays.
Invisalign not fitting one tooth
Some people may have a problem like Invisalign not fitting on one tooth.
This can happen when some of your teeth are more stubborn.
You should know that your teeth are surrounded by bones. The condition of bones and teeth isn’t the same in all individuals.
It can be due to not wearing those aligners properly.
Check out my other article on what to do if your Invisalign is not fitting on one tooth.
Invisalign not fitting on one side
Similar to Invisalign not fitting on one tooth, it may not fit on one side properly. It can happen when you don’t follow the instructions properly or your teeth don’t move as expected.
Gaps between trays and gum
One of the most common issues that Invisalign users experience is gaps between trays and gums or teeth. Normally when gaps are present, there is a tracking problem. And, your aligners also feel loose.
Again, this can be normal or not depending on the different causes.
Invisalign trays not fitting back teeth
Many people experience that their Invisalign trays don’t fit well on their back teeth. They complain about their teeth also popping or hanging off the molar teeth.
Learn more about Invisalign hanging or popping off back teeth.
This can be a result of abnormally placed back teeth, or not wearing aligners properly.
However, in most cases, you don’t have to worry if it happens after wearing new aligners.
When teeth settle after 2-3 days, you shouldn’t experience this.
Invisalign trays not fitting front teeth
Aligners may not fit perfectly on your front teeth. This can occur when you have a stubborn front tooth or abnormally placed lateral Incisors.
It can also be considered normal if it happens after getting a new set of aligners.
Late loosen Invisalign aligners
Usually, your Invisalign trays feel loose during the last few days and just before getting a new set of aligners It’s considered normal as gaps between aligners and teeth are created because of tooth movement.
However, this shouldn’t cause any significant fitting issue.
Invisalign not fitting on attachment
In most cases, you get attachments with your Invisalign. Those attachments are used to offer an additional grip to fit the aligners properly. But, sometimes your aligners may not fit well on the attachments.
Why is your Invisalign not fitting properly?
Your Invisalign trays may not be fitted properly for many reasons. Let’s take a look at those reasons.
Invisalign settlement and tooth movement
Invisalign trays may not fit tightly when your teeth are moved to a certain position and get settled there.
You get the aligners to move your teeth to the desired position. To achieve that, you have to put pressure on your teeth with those aligners.
One set of trays can move your teeth to a certain limit.
Usually, after 7 days of getting them, teeth begin to settle and after 14-20 days, they are settled to the desired position.
Your aligners start to feel less tight than before and you also feel less pain and discomfort during this time.
But, keep in mind that, there should not be a big difference between your experience.
If your aligners feel extremely loose or they keep falling or popping off, it can be due to other reasons.
Gaps between Invisalign and teeth
Gaps between Invisalign and teeth or gums can lead to not fitting properly.
This may present when you first get new trays. That’s why your orthodontist suggests you use chewies.
However, it may persist if there is a fault in the aligners.
You may also experience gaps when tooth movement is completed by one set of trays, as I have described above.
Orthodontist not adjusting Invisalign aligners
Many orthodontists don’t adjust Invisalign aligners when they put the first set of trays on your teeth. This is because it helps you and your mouth get used to them.
So, these trays aren’t fitted tightly and don’t even put pressure on your teeth.
Then, on your next visit, you get aligners that are well fitted and put force on your teeth to produce tooth movement.
This is actually good for you because when you get active trays, they put pressure on your teeth and you feel pain and discomfort.
So, before facing that you get time to adopt the feelings of wearing aligners.
Not using Invisalign chewies properly
After getting a new set of Invisalign chewies, if you don’t use chewies to fit the aligners regularly, it will take more time to sit on your teeth properly. So, you may have poor fitting Invisalign.
Not wearing your Invisalign trays for an adequate amount of time
Some people don’t wear aligners regularly which is a common cause of poorly fitting Invisalign trays.
When you don’t wear your aligners for 22 hours a day, your teeth get back to their previous position.
But, your aligners are made based on your current tooth position. So, they don’t fit perfectly if you don’t use them adequately.
Moreover, wearing aligners for less than 22 hours causes them to warp/bent and damage them.
Stubborn or abnormally positioned teeth
Another possible cause is that you may have some teeth that are positioned abnormally or they are too stubborn to be moved. So, your aligners can’t apply sufficient pressure on those teeth.
Worn out or old Invisalign trays
If you use Invisalign for a long time, the trays become old and worn out. As a result, they don’t fit perfectly on your teeth.
Bent or warped Invisalign aligners
When your Invisalign aligner is bent or warped, it will get loose and won’t fit properly.
It can happen due to many reasons such as not wearing the trays properly, eating or brushing teeth with the trays, or not removing them correctly.
Improper dental impression
If the dental impression of your teeth is not proper, it may cause many problems such as loose-fitting Invisalign. So, a good dental impression is necessary for successful treatment.
Patient with a dry mouth
If you have a dry mouth condition, it might cause the Invisalign trays to feel loose on your teeth.
It’s because the saliva keeps the trays in place and offers a firm grip. When there is no saliva, the trays may become loose and not fit your teeth.
Not having Invisalign attachments despite the necessity
In most cases, your orthodontist put Invisalign attachment on your teeth. But, when you don’t have it even when necessary, aligners might not for properly.
This is because the attachments offer an additional grip and hold aligners tightly.
Not following orthodontist’s guidelines
When you don’t follow the orthodontist’s guidelines, there is a high chance that your Invisalign trays won’t fit perfectly.
It might happen when you don’t the aligners 22 hours per day properly, don’t take care of them, and don’t eat or brush your teeth correctly.
Eating with aligners on teeth
When you eat with Invisalign trays on your teeth, the trays will get bent or warped. In fact, it can damage them permanently.
Warped or bent trays don’t fit on our teeth properly.
Brushing teeth with Invisalign
You aren’t allowed to brush your teeth wearing Invisalign aligners. It can bend or warp the trays and cause fitting issues.
The incorrect aligner removal process
There is a specific way to remove Invisalign trays from your teeth. But, if you don’t do it properly, the trays may get damaged. As a result, they might not fit your teeth perfectly.
The tray can get warped or damaged when you take it out only from one side. it can also happen when you don’t use the Invisalign removal tool.
Not allowing the Invisalign trays to settle
If you are not giving time to Invisalign trays to settle on your teeth, it might cause the problem.
So, it’s important to wait for at least 2-3 days after you put the new set of trays.
Too much force applied to teeth
When too much pressure is applied to your teeth, it might damage the trays as well as your teeth. As a result, they may feel loose and not fit your teeth correctly.
Successful tooth movement
When one set of Invisalign trays is complete putting pressure on teeth, the trays will start to feel loose. It happens after the completion of the tooth movement.
It means that the treatment is successful and you don’t need to worry about it.
Faulty trays
There may be a fault during making the aligners. So, it may not track your teeth properly sometimes
If you have gaps between teeth even after 2-3 days and not going away by any means, it may be due to a faulty aligner.
But, rarely, this can happen if you see a qualified orthodontist. And, he checks the fitting before he provides you with the aligners.
Changes in the bite.
The Invisalign tray may not fit correctly if the patient has changed their bite. This means that the way the teeth come together has changed and the Invisalign tray does not account for this change.
How to make Invisalign fit again?
If your Invisalign clear aligners are starting to feel a bit loose, there are a few things you can do to make them fit snugly again.
1. Use Invisalign chewies.
You can use Invisalign chewies to help seat your aligners properly. Chewies are small, soft cylinders made of silicone that you bite down on for a few minutes each day. They help to push your aligners into place and make sure they’re seated correctly.
Using these aligner seaters is helpful, especially with new trays.
Know about how to use Invisalign chewies.
Check out the best Invisalign chewies to buy.
2. Put on your aligners as directed.
If you’re not wearing your aligners for the recommended 22 hours each day, they’re not going to fit as snugly as they should. Make sure you’re following your dentist’s instructions and wearing them for the recommended amount of time each day.
3. Use a previous set of aligners to “backtrack”
If your aligners are still feeling loose after you’ve tried the first two tips, your dentist may recommend that you “backtrack” to a previous set of aligners. This means wearing your old aligners for a week or two before moving on to the next set in your treatment plan. This can help to make your current aligners fit better.
The “backtracking” is necessary when your previous trays don’t complete their work. It may be due to removing the trays early or not wearing them as directed.
Wearing the previous aligners will move the teeth to their desired position. And, when you get the new aligners, they will fit properly.
4. Consult your orthodontist about a treatment revision.
If backtracking doesn’t work, your dentist may recommend a treatment revision. This means starting your Invisalign treatment over from the beginning with a new set of aligners. If the treatment plan is inaccurate, it might occur.
5. Rinse with lukewarm water before wearing
Try rinsing your aligners in lukewarm water for a few minutes. This can help to loosen any debris that may be clinging to the aligners and make them fit snugly.
6. Try reshaping the aligners
If this doesn’t work, you can try gently pressing on the aligners with your fingers to help reshape them.
It’s useful when an aligner gets bent.
7. Let Invisalign trays settle
Wait at least 2-3 days to give your new Invisalign aligners time to settle. Don’t panic if you notice that the tray is popping out of your back teeth.
8. Consult with your orthodontist
If your Invisalign clear aligners are still not fitting properly, you can contact your orthodontist for an adjustment.
He/she’ll set an appointment and fix the issue.
9. Follow the instructions of your orthodontist
After the appointment, you’ll get new Invisalign aligners. It’s important to follow the orthodontist’s instructions on how to use and care for your Invisalign aligners.
This will help to ensure that your treatment is successful.
What to do if Invisalign isn’t tracking?
If the Invisalign doesn’t fit correctly, you can fix it on your own or visit your orthodontist to fix it.
If your teeth have shifted and the aligners are no longer in the correct position. In this case, you’ll need to get new aligners that fit your teeth properly.
If the aligners are simply dirty and need to be cleaned. Try soaking them in denture cleaner or brushing them with a toothbrush to see if that helps.
The aligners may need to be cleaned if Invisalign isn’t tracking, or they may no longer fit correctly because the teeth have moved.
You’ll need to receive new aligners if the old ones are no longer comfortable, or have your teeth modified.
If those solutions don’t work, then you may need to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to get new aligners or have your teeth adjusted.
Takeaways
If your new set of Invisalign trays aren’t fitting correctly or If you’ve been wearing your Invisalign aligners for a while and they suddenly stop fitting properly, it can be frustrating.
Invisalign aligners may not be fitted properly as a result of not wearing the aligners as directed, not removing them properly, not using Invisalign chewies, not allowing Invisalign to settle, eating, or brushing with Invisalign, and others.
Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to try and get them fitting properly again.
