Properly Putting on Invisalign Clear Aligners

Invisalign clear aligners are a convenient alternative to traditional braces, but they can be a little tricky to get perfectly into place the first few times you do it. They can also be a little stubborn when you get a new set. But don’t worry, you’ll quickly get the hang of it. To get you started, here’s a simple guide to putting on Invisalign clear aligners to help you out as you adjust to your orthodontic treatment.

Note that properly putting on Invisalign clear aligner trays, getting them all the way onto your teeth and snugly in place, is very important for your treatment. If they’re not on right, they won’t effectively and efficiently realign your teeth as intended.

Invisalign Trays Are Somewhat Fragile

Your Invisalign clear aligners are a bit fragile. They’re made of a thin material called SmartTrack. This BPA-free material makes Invisalign more comfortable and great at its job of fixing misalignments, but it also makes them susceptible to cracks and breaks.

So, the first thing to know is that you should never bite down on the trays when putting on Invisalign clear aligners. It may be tempting if you’re struggling a little to get them snugly into place and eliminate spaces between the trays and your teeth. Resist that temptation!

If you do happen to crack or break your Invisalign trays, let your orthodontist know right away. It’s important that you quickly get a replacement to keep your treatment on track.

Putting on Inivisalign Clear Aligners

When putting on Invisalign clear aligners, it’s easiest to start with your front teeth. Insert the upper tray over your top front teeth. Once it’s in place, gently press it down over the next teeth, working your way back toward your molars on one side of your mouth until it snaps into place. Then, do the same on the other side of your mouth. And then, insert the lower tray over your bottom teeth the same way, starting in front and working your way back on each side.

Chewies and Dealing with Gaps

When you’re putting on Invisalign clear aligners—especially a new set—you may notice some space inside between the tray and the top of your teeth. As noted above, refrain from biting down on them to address the issue.

This is what Invisalign chewies are for. These small, tasteless, non-edible, squishy tubes are usually made from medical-grade silicone. They help you get your clear aligner trays snugly into place. Simple position them between your upper and lower teeth wherever you need to press your Invisalign trays better into place, and then gently bite down on the chewie. They’re soft and pliant, protecting the trays from cracking or breaking.

Your orthodontist can provide you with chewies, and they’re also readily available online. Wash them with soap and water, and you can generally reuse them a few times. Discard them once they start to lose their elasticity and shape.