aligner care
aligner faq
How Often Do I Need To Wear My Aligners?
Dr. Hammer recommends that you wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day. You should have your aligners in all day and all night, taking them out to eat, brush, floss and drink beverages other than water. You can drink water with your aligners in, but we recommend taking them out if you are having most other types of beverages.
How Do I Remove My Aligners?
Everyone has their own tips and tricks for removing their aligners, but we find the best way is to use your index finger to remove the tray from the inside of the farthest back teeth first. A helpful tip is to use your right hand to remove the left side and your left hand to remove the right side. Once you loosen the tray from the farthest back teeth, then move your way forward. If the back is released, you should be able to snap the tray off from the front.
To learn more, watch this video. How To : Remove my Clear Aligner
What Are Attachments?
Attachments are a normal part of any aligner treatment. You can expect your attachments to go on at your first appointment. Even though we may remove and move some of the attachments throughout treatment you can expect them to be on until your aligner treatment is complete!
Attachments are made of a tooth-colored composite material similar to what your dentist would use for a tooth-colored filling. When you are done with your treatment, we gently polish the attachments-doing no harm to your enamel. The attachments are individually designed by Dr. Hammer virtually to help make specific movements of your teeth. If you look closely at your attachments, you can see they are all different shapes and sizes! Attachments help make more surface area on your teeth so that your aligners can snap into place and make the most effective and efficient movements.
What Should I Do If An Attachment Falls Off?
If an attachment comes off, please text or call us! This is not an emergency, but we would like to know. We will evaluate your treatment plan and decide if you should come in sooner to get it fixed, or if it can wait until your next scheduled appointment.
What Are Chewies/Clenchies and Do I Actually Need To Use Them?
Chewies and Clenchies are a very important part in making sure that your treatment goes as fast and as efficiently as possible. You should be using your Chewy or Clenchy a few times a day, especially the first few days of a new tray. These ensure the aligners are fully seated around the teeth and attachment in order to predictably move the teeth to the desired positions.
To learn more, watch these videos:
How To: Using my Chewy/Clenchy for my Clear Aligners
Problem Solved: Tooth is not Tracking in Gap in my Clear Aligner
How Do I Clean My Aligners?
We recommend brushing your aligners twice a day. Use only a soft toothbrush and water to gently brush your aligners.
To learn more, watch this video. How To : Clean my Retainer or Clear Aligner
Should I Soak My Aligners To Clean Them?
If you are brushing your aligners twice per day and making sure you remove them prior to eating and drinking, Dr. Hammer does not recommend soaking your aligners in water, mouthwash or denture cleaner.
How Can I Speed Up My Aligner Treatment?
Dr. Hammer will give you an expected treatment time when you come to True North for your complimentary consultation. This, of course, is an estimate. Some things you can do to make sure that you are completing treatment on time are wearing your aligners 22+ hours a day, use your chewies/clenchies, wear your rubber bands as instructed (if needed), change or advance your trays as instructed, keep your scheduled appointments with us and keep your teeth and your gums healthy!
© True North Orthodontics 2023 | Website by Šek Design Studio