How to Wear Clear Aligners? | 5 Tips Every Patient Should Know

Most of the patients will be new to clear aligners which means patients could face some discomfort initially. So here we share How to Wear Clear Aligners which will be very helpful. The patients have made your decision to get teeth straightened with clear aligners. He must know that the entire journey, from taking measurements until you get your first set of Aligner trays, is a multistep process. 32 Watts Clear aligners India are transparent trays that are worn on the upper and lower arch in order to bring them into perfect alignment. Since invisible braces | clear aligner trays are custom prepared for each patient, the process involves a whole lot of customization.

After patients made a decision to opt for clear aligners. your orthodontist will take measurements teeth, gums in your mouth either using an impression tray or a digital scanner. Most clear aligner companies prefer digital measurements that are immediately stored as digital documents. This allows the lab and the team of orthodontists to easily access these details without fear of distortion as is seen with the physical impressions.

After the patient’s impressions/digital scans, the in-house team of orthodontists study patients’ teeth alignment, bite and other factors to devise a treatment plan that is custom-made just for you. The orthodontist will discuss the same with patients and show you the final plan. The lab begins manufacturing your trays. Companies like 32 Watts in India make clear aligner trays from high-quality thermoplastic material using advanced printing technology.

patients’ clear aligners will arrive at assets of upper and lower trays periodically. Each set of trays needs to be worn for 18-20 hours each day for the whole day. Your consultation visit, till you get your starter kit, it takes about 4-5 working days with companies like 32 Watts in India. Many international brands that supply clear aligners in India take a minimum of two weeks to deliver your first set of trays, thereby delaying your treatment.

 

Appointment with the first Set of Clear Aligners

Once patients aligners are received at your orthodontist’s clinic. Patients will be asked to visit an orthodontist to learn how to wear and remove them. Your clear aligners arrive safely packed in an easy-to-carry box. An orthodontist will show patients how to place their aligners on the upper teeth and lower teeth.

Instructions to Wear and Remove Clear Aligners

After the orthodontist’s demonstration on how to wear and remove your clear aligners. It is now patients’ turn to do it by themselves! You must place the first aligner on its respective arch and lightly bite on it to allow it to fit around your teeth. The moment aligners slide into their position, you will feel an immediate tightness around your teeth. This uncomfortable feeling will go away once you get used to your aligners.

Now, wear the other tray of the set in the same way. You can also use aligners chewies to wear your aligner trays. These chewie’s are basically soft plastic tubes that patients need to chew on after inserting aligners. They are available in different colors and allow aligners to fit around your teeth and settle properly.

 Once the patient’s aligners are worn, get used to how they fit and where the aligner’s margins are. This will help when you need to remove them. Find a spot around the clear aligner margins near your back teeth and lightly tug on to it. This will lift the aligners from the back teeth and loosen them up over your front teeth, making them easy to remove. Practice this a few times in the presence of orthodontists in order to gain confidence in doing it yourself at home.

Your first set of aligner trays is usually zero-degree aligners, which means that they are not meant to bring about movement. They are mainly given to let you get used to the trays and allow you to get comfortable in lifestyle with them.

Your orthodontist will give you a set of instructions to follow during your clear aligner treatment. These include:

• Each set of trays that are given to you needs to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours each day, which is the standard time recommended for most patients. In some cases, the orthodontist may advise the patient to wear the clear aligner trays only during the day or only at night time.
• It is okay for the aligners to feel tight and feel the pressure of the aligners on your teeth. This indicates that your aligners are snuggly fit around your teeth to cause their movement.
• You must remove your aligners while eating and avoid drinking anything too hot or cold as extreme temperature changes can warp the trays.
• Since the aligners can be removed during eating and drinking, it is recommended to brush and floss before wearing them back again. This is one of the biggest advantages of fixed braces!
• You may notice yourself talking with a lisp in the initial days after wearing aligners. Don’t worry! This lisp is temporary and will go away as soon as your tongue gets used to the aligners.
• Since the trays are an artificial material in your mouth, you may experience excessive salivation but this is your body’s normal reaction to something foreign in the mouth.
• Some people might experience the very opposite i.e. dryness in the mouth. Drink plenty of water and allow your body to accept the aligners.
• Whenever you remove your aligners, remember to clean them with regular running water and store them dry in the box given with them. This ensures your aligners are not lost or broken.
• You can clean your aligners with a toothbrush but avoid brushing too hard.
• Whenever you visit your doctor, always carry the previous aligner set with you.
• Wear each set of aligner trays as directed by your orthodontist in order to get your treatment completed in the set time frame. Using your discretion in wearing the trays can interfere with the progress of your treatment.

First Few Days of Wearing Clear Aligners?

In the first few days after wearing your first set of aligner trays, patients face many problems. Some of these include:-

• Excessive tightness around their teeth causes pain
• Uncomfortable feeling in the mouth
• Excessive salivation
• Dryness in the mouth
• Difficulty in speaking or inability to say few syllables(lisp)
• Difficulty in wearing and removing the trays

No matter which of these problems you face with your aligners, always remember that all these are temporary problems and are easily solvable.  In case of any doubt, you must always consult with your orthodontist.

 Aligners are the best replacement for metallic wired braces as it uses the latest technology to straighten your teeth. No matter which kind of correction your teeth require to make them perfect, aligners can be worn by anyone. Aligners are a pair of clear plastic trays made up of polyurethane that fit your teeth without any pain and irritation except for the initial days when you start using them.

The use of aligners is becoming more and more popular day by day, especially among teens and adults as they are virtually invisible. Therefore, it is very important to have proper knowledge of ‘How to Wear Clear Aligners?’. So, here we are sharing some basic techniques and procedures which could help you in wearing aligners.

Guideline to Wear Aligners?

Read the below instructions carefully:

• Your teeth and aligners should be cleaned before wearing them into your mouth.
• Make sure your hands are also clean before handling the aligners.
• Aligners are worn for 20-22 hours a day.
• One pair of aligners must be worn for 2 weeks only and then use the next pair of aligners in the right order.
• Identification of the Aligner: The aligners can be identified by the markings present on it. Eg: some indication for the upper teeth and some for the lower teeth. “1” or “A” indicates the 1^st set of aligners amongst the lot.

How to Wear Clear Aligners?

• Now, as aligners come in pairs, you have to wear them one by one. You may put any of the aligners first followed by the other tray of the aligner.
• Gently insert the aligners one at a time and push the tray softly onto your teeth.
• If the aligner is not seated completely then use the provided chewie from the starter kit to snap-fit them in place.
• Place the chewie between the teeth in the area where the aligner is not seated completely and bite softly so that the aligner gets seated.
• You will hear a snap or click sound indicating the aligner is seated completely.
• In case attachments have been placed on the tooth, the aligners should be carefully placed. Seat the aligner on the front teeth first and then gradually seat it on the back teeth.
• Remove your aligners when you are eating, drinking (hot beverages), smoking, etc. with the help of the tool, which comes with the starter kit.
• Don’t touch or pinch the aligners too much if they are not fitting properly. Talk to your dentist/orthodontist.
• Store the aligners in the carry case only if you are not wearing them. Always carry the case when you are going out for dinner, a party or outdoor activity. Mostly aligner users damage their aligners by keeping them in a bag or anywhere else casually.
• Keep the aligners away from pets and kids.

Useful Tips to Wear Clear Aligners

• To reduce the chances of aligner damage, avoid unnecessary removal and insertion.
• Be careful while removing the aligners when you have multiple attachments.
• Do not pull the aligner suddenly or use sharp objects for the removal.
• In case you are facing difficulty in inserting and removing the aligners consult your dentist/orthodontist.

Do you want to delay your treatment? Obviously not, therefore, you should take care of your aligners and wear them as per instructions. Orthodontists have seen many patients coming back to them to get the same pair again, this happens because aligner users don’t pay much attention to their behaviour towards the aligners. But after some time once you will get used to wearing and handling your aligners you will not face any problems. Taking care of aligners will not only increase their life, in fact, but they will also work better and give you a better result.

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