Invisalign continues to gain popularity as a clear alternative to traditional braces for straightening smiles. Instead of bulky metal brackets, this treatment relies on transparent plastic trays designed to fit snugly over your teeth to gently reposition them.
However, you must wear the transparent trays for 20 to 22 hours to prevent them from reverting to their previous places. Because they remain in place for so long, some patients struggle with removing their aligners for cleanings or meals. Continue reading to learn 3 helpful hints for taking them out without harming the plastic material!
Tip #1: Start At the Back
Plenty of people tend to grasp the plastic trays over their front teeth to try and pry them off, but this isn’t always the most effective method. The aligners are still firmly connected over your molars, so that’s an ideal place to begin.
Place your fingertip on the inside of your farthest molar and gently tug your Invisalign away from your enamel. Do the same on the opposite side of your mouth so both ends of the plastic are loose, then gently work your way forward until they come free. You can also try starting at one side of your mouth and gently working across your arch to the other.
Tip #2: Avoid Cold Drinks
Although the plastic material comprising your Invisalign is considered more comfortable than abrasive metal brackets and wires, it’s not as resilient. It tends to become less flexible when it’s cold, meaning it can cling more tightly to your teeth after having a cool beverage.
If you’re hoping to remove your trays for a meal, it’s best to avoid eating or drinking anything with a lower temperature that might only strengthen their hold over your grin.
Tip #3: Improve Your Grip
Another way to more easily remove your aligners is by improving your grip. Some patients do this by allowing their mouth to dry out a few moments before grasping the trays with their fingers, so they’re less slippery with saliva. Others cover their fingers with a paper towel or wear rubber gloves to improve their grasp so they can more easily pull the material away from their teeth.
You can also purchase special aligner hooks designed to help remove them, but be careful. You could accidentally injure your teeth, gums, or the plastic trays while using these small devices to pull your Invisalign off your teeth.
If you’ve tried all these tips and are still having issues removing your aligners, you may need to call your dentist to ensure they fit as intended!
About the Practice
At Heim & Carroll DMD, LLC, people of all ages benefit from two dedicated dentists with decades of combined experience. Dr. Carroll and Dr. Yu collaborate to provide a complete array of services to meet all your family’s dental needs at one convenient location, including Invisalign. They prioritize patient comfort and take the time to get to know you so they can tailor treatment plans just for you. Then, they combine a caring approach with state-of-the-art technology to deliver accurate results intended to last. If your Invisalign doesn’t fit, you can request an appointment on the website or call (860) 633-2031.
