When you choose to straighten your smile with Invisalign, you will be given a series of clear aligners that have been designed for your specific mouth. These aligners put small amounts of pressure on the teeth in order to slowly guide them to where they need to be. However, in some cases, your teeth may not move as planned during your Invisalign treatment. What might cause this to happen? Here’s a closer look at 4 possible explanations.
1. It’s Simply the Way Your Body Responds to Orthodontic Treatment
Not all patients are exactly the same. Some individuals just naturally have teeth that are harder to move due to certain biological factors, such as unusually high jawbone density. In cases like this, your dentist may suggest making attachments part of your Invisalign treatment plan. Attachments are small structures that are placed on the teeth in order to help the clear aligners exert more precise pressure, which can make it easier to move certain teeth.
2. You May Not Be Wearing Your Aligners as Often as You Should
One of the benefits of choosing Invisalign as an orthodontic treatment is that you can take the aligners out of your mouth at any time. But if you don’t wear your aligners for the required amount of time each day, your teeth won’t receive the pressure they need to move as planned, which can throw off your treatment. Ideally, you should keep your clear aligners in your mouth for 20 to 22 hours every day. You should only take them out when you’re eating or practicing oral hygiene.
3. Your Aligners May Have Been Damaged
Invisalign clear aligners can become warped when exposed to hot water, and they can sometimes crack if they’re not removed correctly. If your aligners have been damaged in any way, they will likely no longer fit properly and could end up pushing your teeth the wrong way. As soon as you realize that one of your clear aligners has been damaged, you should let your dentist know immediately so that they can take the appropriate steps to address the issue.
4. Your Teeth are Colliding During the Treatment Process
If there’s not enough room in your mouth, some of your teeth may end up colliding during the Invisalign process, thereby delaying your treatment plan. In some cases, the teeth in question may need to be slightly reshaped so that they can move past each other as intended.
In short, there are several reasons why the teeth may not move as expected during Invisalign treatment. As such, it’s important to visit your dentist every six to eight weeks throughout the process so that they can track your progress. If they find any problems, they can take the appropriate steps to address them and get you back on the path toward a straighter smile.
About the Author
Dr. Mohammad Golparvar has over 20 years of dental experience. He earned his dental degree at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine, and today he regularly participates in continuing education courses throughout the country. At Webster Dental Associates of Manchester, he offers Invisalign as a discreet solution for crooked or otherwise misaligned teeth. If you’re interested in straightening your smile with Invisalign, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Golparvar by visiting his website or calling (603) 669-4252.