Clear aligners are a revolutionary orthodontic treatment because they are largely independent. This means that your progress is in your hands: the more closely you comply, the faster and more successful your treatment will be. But what happens when your teeth aren’t moving according to schedule? Here are some possible reasons why you’re not getting the results your dentist predicted in your treatment plan, and what you can do about it.
Time Management
One of the main reasons people experience a delay in results with clear aligners is because they’re not wearing them for 22 hours a day. If you have been taking yours off for longer than two hours each day, you could be slowing your progress, so be sure to meet the time requirements for best results.
Chewing Exercises
In some cases, your dentist may recommend you complete daily or weekly chewing exercises to help loosen your teeth, so they move properly. If you are neglecting this step, your teeth may not move as quickly as predicted, so make sure you take the time to help them along.
Individual Differences
Sometimes you can be doing everything right in terms of complying with your treatment plan, but your teeth may still not want to budge on schedule. If this is the case, don’t give up hope. While it may take a bit longer to complete, your teeth will still move eventually. If you are concerned about this, however, speak to your dentist and see if there’s anything you can do to speed things up (such as chewing exercises if you are not currently doing them).
Tooth Collisions
A common issue some wearers of aligners experience is tooth collision: when your teeth bump into each other. If this is happening to you, your dentist might recommend interproximal reduction, or IPR, to reduce your teeth so they do not collide.
Remember, your aligner timeline is just an estimate, but how you care for your teeth and your own individual biology can also play a role in how long it takes. If your results aren’t coming along according to schedule, speak to your dentist about what could be slowing them down.
About Dr. Samia
Dr. Paul Samia wants each of his patients to have a healthy, happy mouth, which is why he’s committed to providing a variety of solutions to improve their smile, including clear aligners. If you’re unhappy with your bite and don’t want to wear traditional braces, these innovative trays can help straighten your teeth faster and without the dietary restrictions you might experience with wires and brackets.
To learn more about clear aligners, please visit Samia Family Dentistry of Garner on our website or call us today at 919-779-2818.