Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional braces for people who want to straighten their teeth without the conspicuousness of metal brackets and wires. However, after getting Invisalign aligners, one tray might not be tracking your one tooth (e.g lateral incisor or back molar). Sometimes, the aligner may not cover the whole tooth.
So, you might wonder, why this happens.
If your Invisalign aligners are not fitting well on one tooth, there could be a few different reasons why.
It is important to identify the cause of the issue so that you can get it fixed and continue with your treatment plan.
In this article, you’ll know about these. Also, check out my other article on how to fit Invisalign not again.
Why is your Invisalign not fitting on one tooth?
There are a few different reasons why your Invisalign aligners might not be fitting properly on one tooth. The most common reasons are:
1. The tooth is misshapen or rotated.
If the tooth is misshapen or rotated, it can cause the Invisalign aligner to not fit properly.
Even though Invisalign trays are made considering this, sometimes it may cause fitting issues.
This is because the tray is designed to fit snugly over the teeth, and if one tooth is out of alignment, it can cause the tray to not fit properly.
2. The tooth is too small.
If the tooth is too small, it can also result in the Invisalign tray not fitting correctly on that tooth. This is because there is not enough surface area for the aligner to grip onto.
3. The tray is damaged.
If the Invisalign tray is damaged, it will not fit correctly on the teeth. This can happen if the tray is ripped, torn, or bent. Accidents and the accidental dropping of Invisalign are both potential causes.
4. There is a gap between the teeth.
The Invisalign aligner may shift around and not fit well if there is a space between the teeth and Invisalign. This gap may be presented between the aligner and one or more teeth.
5. The tray is not the right size or shape.
If the Invisalign tray is not the right size or shape, it will also cause fitting issues. This can also happen when the patient is not fitted correctly for their Invisalign treatment.
6. You may be not wearing the Invisalign for less than 22 hours.
You should be wearing your Invisalign for at least 22 hours per day in order for it to work properly.
If you are not, this could result in the Invisalign not fitting correctly on one or more teeth.
7. Impression wasn’t perfect.
The Invisalign aligners are made based on dental impressions of your teeth. If the dental impressions are not perfect, it can cause the Invisalign not to fit correctly or not cover the entire tooth, especially the back molar.
8. You may be eating with Invisalign aligners.
You may be eating or drinking something other than water while wearing Invisalign. But, you should only be drinking water while wearing Invisalign.
If you are eating or drinking anything else, it can cause the Invisalign to not fit correctly.
9. The patient has not worn the aligners for a while.
If the patient has not worn the Invisalign retainer for a while, it can also cause the aligners to not fit properly on one tooth. This is because the teeth may have shifted during this time and the aligners are not made to accommodate for this.
10. The patient has not been following the treatment plan.
The Invisalign tray might not fit properly on a single tooth if the patient has not been following the treatment plan.
11. You are wearing a new set of aligners.
When you first start wearing a new set of aligners, they may not fit correctly. This is because your teeth are still adjusting to the new aligners.
12. You might not be inserting and removing the trays incorrectly.
If you are not inserting or removing the Invisalign trays correctly, it can also cause them to not fit properly. It may happen when you aren’t gentle or you push or pull the tray from only one side.
13. There is interference.
There may be interference that is causing the Invisalign aligner not to fit one tooth. This interference can be anything that is preventing the aligner from tracking one or more teeth correctly.
14. You may be cleaning the Invisalign aligners in hot water.
You should not be cleaning the Invisalign aligners in hot water. This can cause the Invisalign to not fit correctly on one tooth or more.
15. Your teeth might have relapsed
The Invisalign aligner may not track teeth properly if the patient has relapsed. This means that the patient has stopped wearing their aligners and the teeth have shifted back to their original position.
16. The patient has not brushed and flossed.
The Invisalign aligners may not fit correctly if the patient has not brushed and flossed their teeth. This is because the aligners will not be able to grip the teeth if they are not clean.
17. The patient has not followed the Invisalign instructions.
The Invisalign aligners may not fit one tooth correctly if the patient has not followed the Invisalign instructions.
18. The patient’s mouth is too dry.
If the patient’s mouth is too dry, it can cause the Invisalign aligners to not fit properly. This is because the aligners will not be able to grip the teeth if they are too dry.
19. The patient has not been to their Invisalign appointments.
The aligners may not fit properly on one tooth if the patient has missed one or more of their Invisalign appointments.
This is because when the patient does not come in for their Invisalign appointments, their teeth are not being monitored.
This means that the patient’s teeth can move on their own, causing the aligners to not fit correctly.
How to fix Invisalign not tracking one tooth?
If your Invisalign aligners are not fitting properly on one tooth, you will need to see your orthodontist so they can make the necessary adjustments.
You might need Invisalign attachments to help grip the aligners and fit them properly.
In some cases, the orthodontist will most likely take a new dental impression of your teeth so they can create a new Invisalign aligner that fits properly.
In some cases, the orthodontist may need to adjust the position of the tooth before they can take a new dental impression.
Additionally, the patient will need to be monitored closely to ensure that the treatment is progressing as planned.
If you have any questions or concerns about your Invisalign treatment, be sure to talk to your orthodontist.
However, you can do the following things to fit the Invisalign aligners properly.
1. Insert the Invisalign trays properly.
To insert the Invisalign trays properly, you need to make sure that you are putting them in correctly.
The first step is to take the Invisalign tray and hold it up to your teeth.
Next, you need to push the Invisalign tray onto your teeth.
You should start from the front teeth and work your way to the back teeth.
2. Use Invisalign chewies.
Invisalign chewies are designed to help you fit the Invisalign aligners properly.
To use Invisalign chewies, you need to take the chewie and place it between your teeth.
You should then bite down on the chewie and move it around your mouth.
You should do this for about 5 minutes.
Know about the best Invisalign chewies to buy.
Also, check out how to use Invisalign chewies properly.
Invisalign attachments or buttons can help to grip the aligners and fit them properly.
4. Clean the Invisalign trays regularly.
It is important to clean the Invisalign trays regularly so they will not build up plaque and bacteria.
You can clean the Invisalign trays by brushing them with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Additionally, you can soak the Invisalign trays in denture cleaner.
5. Wear the Invisalign trays for the recommended amount of time.
It is important to wear the Invsiliaign trays for the recommended amount of time so they can work properly.
The recommended amount of time to wear the Invisalign trays is 20 to 22 hours per day.
6. Visit your orthodontist regularly.
It is important to visit your orthodontist regularly so they can monitor the progress of your treatment.
Your orthodontist will be able to make the necessary adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.
7. Follow the Invisalign instructions.
It is important to follow the Invisalign instructions so you can get the best results from your treatment.
Some of the things you need to do are brush and floss your teeth regularly, wear the Invisalign trays for the recommended amount of time and visit your orthodontist regularly.
If you do not follow the Invisalign instructions, you may not get the results you want from your treatment.
What to do if Invisalign doesn’t cover the whole/entire tooth?
Sometimes, Invisalign doesn’t cover the whole/entire tooth as a result of not taking dental impressions properly to make the aligners.
In this case, the orthodontist will most likely take a new dental impression of your teeth so they can adjust the Invisalign trays to fit your mouth better.
They may also suggest getting a new set of Invisalign trays altogether.
However, the position of the tooth might also be responsible for this.
The tooth might be positioned too far back in the mouth or too close to the cheek, which makes it difficult to completely cover the tooth with Invisalign.
In this case, your orthodontist might have a different plan for that. So, wait until the next follow-up visit.
In some cases, the orthodontist may suggest other treatment options, such as braces, to help move the tooth into a better position.
If you’re concerned about the Invisalign not covering your whole tooth, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to discuss your options.
What to do if Invisalign doesn’t cover the back molar?
If Invisalign doesn’t cover the back molar, it might be due to the dental impression. When the impression was taken to produce the aligners, sometimes it might not cover the back moar. So, aligners prepared from that impression can’t cover your back molar.
However, it might not be a problem because in most cases last molars don’t require to be moved.
But, if you aren’t sure about it, you should consult with your orthodontist. If it’s because of an imperfect impression, you may need to take another dental impression.
Know more about Invisalign popping off back teeth.
What to do if Invisalign back teeth not touching?
One of the common concerns with Invisalign is that the back teeth may not touch.
This is because, in order to achieve the results you want, your orthodontist will need to make some adjustments to your aligners.
However, this is not something you need to worry about.
Your orthodontist will ensure that your back teeth are touching before they ship your aligners off to be made.
If you have any concerns, be sure to discuss them with your orthodontist during your next appointment. They will be able to put your mind at ease and answer any questions you may have.
What to do if Invisalign lateral incisors not tracking?
One of the benefits of Invisalign is that it can be customized to fit each person’s individual needs. However, in some cases, the aligners may not track correctly, causing the teeth to move out of alignment.
Lateral incisors are the teeth located on either side of the front two teeth, and they can sometimes be difficult to move into place, especially if they aren’t placed in the proper position in the jaw.
If your lateral incisors are not tracking correctly, you may need to wear additional aligners or attend additional appointments.
However, in most cases, your dentist will be able to adjust the treatment plan so that your lateral incisors stay on track. If you have any concerns about your treatment, be sure to discuss them with your dentist.
Does Invisalign have to cover all teeth?
In most cases, Invisalign covers all teeth, but there are some exceptions. If you have impacted 3rd molars or 3rd molars covered fully/partially with gums, Invisalign aligners won’t be designed to cover these teeth. However, if you do not have this problem, Invisalign should cover all teeth.
Conclusion
Invisalign may not cover your whole tooth or not fit on one tooth as a result of improper dental impression, not wearing the aligners properly, a misplaced tooth, not following orthodontist instructions, not inserting or removing the trays properly, having new aligners, and other causes.
It is important to talk to your orthodontist about the Invisalign not covering your whole tooth. They will be able to help you make the necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
Pallab Kishore is a certified dentist and the owner of Orthodontic Braces Care.
He completed BDS in 2014. Now, he is an MS resident in Orthodontics, BSMMU. He likes content writing and has 12+ years of experience in blogging.