Regardless of the cause, if your retainer doesn't fit you, you should schedule an appointment with an orthodontist right away. The longer you wait, the more likely the effects of your braces or aligners will be reversed. If your Invisalign retainer is a little tight, you can try using special tools to put it on and take it off. Invisalign “Chewies” can be used to push that tight retainer into place.
These chewy candies look like small rolls of gauze or cotton, but are actually made of a styrene-copolymer foam material. To use them, simply place them between your teeth and bite. Move the chew so that all teeth have a chance to bite it. This should help gently push the tight retainer into place.
Now, when it's time to remove the tight retainer, you can use a special Invisalign retainer removal tool. Basically it's a small plastic tool with a hook on the end that you can insert under the edge of the retainer and use to get the tray out of your teeth. For Invisalign-style transparent retainers, they can sometimes lose their shape. This occurs when the retainer is cleaned with hot water, causing the plastic to soften and deform, allowing the teeth underneath to move.
These retainers cannot be adjusted, which means a new retainer is needed. Damage to the retainer itself is another reason the retainer may not fit. If your Invisalign retainer no longer fits you, it's essential that you contact your orthodontist as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that your teeth will start to move back into their original positions and you'll need orthodontic treatment again.
If your retainer has broken or lost its shape due to cleaning with hot water, you'll need a new one right away. Even if you stopped using the retainer for a while and your teeth have started to move, you may still be able to cope with a new retainer. Ideally, you should be given a replacement retainer right away if the retainer broke or lost. To maintain your new smile, it's essential that you use your retainer exactly as directed by your orthodontist.
If you stopped using your retainer for a considerable time, you should not try to use it again. When you have braces or Invisalign, you are in what is known as the active phase of your orthodontic treatment. An adhered or permanent retainer that attaches to the inside of the teeth can wear out due to brushing and daily activities, leading to a weakened bond that holds the retainer to the teeth. Invisalign patients will be given a Vivera retainer to use 24 hours a day for the first six months after treatment and every night thereafter.
They never need to be adjusted, and because they slide over the teeth, they are able to maintain final alignment to an extraordinary degree. Whether you've started Invisalign treatment at Harrisburg Smiles or any other Harrisburg dentist, if your Invisalign trays don't seem to fit properly, you should come to California Dental Group for an exam and have your teeth scanned for a new retainer manufactured for you. If one or more of your teeth are particularly stubborn or difficult to move, your dentist will work with Invisalign to modify your treatment plan accordingly and ensure that treatment continues smoothly. The only way to prevent teeth from moving after wearing braces or Invisalign is to use the retainer as directed.
These retainers will need to be replaced more frequently, but with excellent care, even these can last up to 10 years.
