Most Common Challenges & Solutions for Clear Aligners Wearers

For a number of years, metal braces have been the only solution for teeth straightening treatment in India. With modern technologies and extensive research by dental experts, new paradigms have been added to dentistry. Clear aligners or invisible braces are the most advanced dental devices of the era. They come with a lot of benefits, like ease of use, transparency, and convenience, and they have become the new favourite of young adults. However, there are certain challenges that wearers of clear aligners might face.

The success of clear aligner treatment depends upon a number of factors:

• A proper diagnosis and treatment plan
• Consistency in Following Doctor’s Instructions
• Abiding by the prescribed instructions of doctors
• Maintaining appropriate oral hygiene
• Regular doctor visits to monitor progress

Common Challenges And Solutions for Clear Aligners Wearers

Comfort and Discomfort

Challenges:

Clear Aligner’s mechanism involves applying continuous pressure to shift teeth into the desired alignment. This transformative process often triggers some kind of pain lasting from a few hours to a few days. The discomfort generally remains consistent throughout the day, while some experience severe discomfort during the night. This soreness remains only for a few days, especially during the initial treatment period and when changing to a new pair. Some also experience excessive salivation while using their first pair of aligners.

Solutions:

Using a cold compress comforts the pain due to the pressure created by the clear aligners. Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean towel or use a cold gel pack to gently press it against your cheek where you feel the most discomfort. Keep it on for 10-15 minutes, then take a break. Repeat this a few times daily, especially after putting your aligners back in. However, if the irritation persists for longer, do not hesitate to visit your orthodontist. Again, If your aligners have sharp edges, get orthodontic support immediately by consulting your dedicated doctor. Whereas the excess salivation settles down on its own within a day or two, if not consult your dentist.

Speaking Clearly

Challenges:

The clear aligners are made of thin, clear plastic to shift your teeth into place gradually. Since the trays are so slim, they will only have a minor impact on your speech. You may initially notice a slight lisp for the first few days of treatment. It will be more evident saying words with “s”, “sh”, or “z” sounds. However, it is temporary till you adapt to the new device. You might also notice an alteration in speech in this initial period, for which talking is the key to speaking normally once again.

Solutions:

The adjustment period varies from person to person, taking anywhere from a few hours to even a couple of weeks. Here are some speech improvement techniques you should give a try:

• Practice constantly the pronunciation of the words you’re struggling with.
• Try reading aloud.
• Have more conversations with your near and dear ones.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene

Challenges:

Basically, it is advised to remove clear aligners during meals, and brushing makes it easy to maintain oral hygiene. However, removing aligners every time you eat can cause headaches. At times when you are travelling or at work, surrounded by a lot of people, it is not convenient to remove your aligners to have a meal.

Solutions:

Always be equipped with your dental kit, including your aligner cases, so that you can remove and keep them in the case without any hassle.

Tips for maintaining oral as well as Aligner hygiene while away from home:

• Carry a dental kit with a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and a mirror.
• After each meal, brush your teeth thoroughly before reinserting your aligners.
• Whenever you remove your aligners, store them in a clean aligner case.
• In between meals, consider rinsing with a fluoride-based mouthwash to freshen your breath and give your enamel a boost.
• Before putting your aligners back in, make sure to clean them with at least clear water.
• It’s always a good idea to have a spare set of aligners while travelling.

Compliance and Tracking

Challenges:

Patient compliance is a critical factor in achieving successful as well as timely results with clear aligner therapy. A well-informed patient is more likely to understand the importance of compliance. You should know and understand the outline of your treatment plan clearly. Have a clear picture of vital information, including the duration of wear, the importance of wearing aligners for the recommended hours per day, and the importance of following any specific instructions.

Misunderstanding or doubts about your treatment process may pose serious ill effects on your progress.

Solutions:

After your initial consultation, try to communicate with your orthodontist in a practical and transparent way. Take time to be educated about your treatment plan, process, and products. This way, you will have a clear picture of clear aligner therapy, benefits, expected outcomes, and the role you play in achieving successful treatment. Go on asking for visuals of successful implantation to have a comprehensive understanding of the process. Ask any questions or concerns you have to alleviate any doubts or misunderstandings.

Lost or Damaged Aligners

Challenges:

If you lose or damage an aligner, contact your orthodontist immediately to prevent any disruption to your treatment plan.

Scenario 1: If your aligners are lost, your orthodontist will assess your current stage in the treatment plan. Depending on the duration you’ve been wearing the lost set, they may recommend either moving on to the next set or temporarily reverting to the previous set.

Scenario 2: In the case of damaged aligners, your orthodontist will evaluate how severe the damage is, and as a result, you may be advised to continue wearing the damaged set until the next scheduled change. In case of severe damage, you may move to the next set as soon as your doctor advises.

Scenario 3: If the loss or damage occurs near the end of a set of aligners,

an orthodontist may proceed to the refinement stage sooner. In this stage, additional sets of aligners are used to fine-tune the tooth movements and achieve the best results.

Solutions:

• Make it a habit to keep your aligners in their case when not in use, and never place them in napkins, pockets, or other easily overlooked locations.
• Use the provided aligner removal tools only to avoid using extra force when taking off your aligners. This helps prevent accidental damage.
• Create a routine for removing and storing your aligners. This will minimize the chances of misplacing or damaging them.
•  Keep a travel kit handy at all times, including all the aligner essential tools, etc.

Avoiding Certain Foods

Challenges:

During the treatment process involving clear aligners, you should avoid extremely hot, cold, sticky, hard and crunchy foods, as these may interfere with the overall progress of your orthodontic treatment. You should also refrain from smoking, chewing gum or tobacco, beverages like coffee, alcoholic beverages like red wine and other coloured cocktails while wearing the aligners, as residue from these substances can stick to your aligners and make your trays and teeth look yellow.

Solutions:

• Brush your teeth properly and use floss after eating and before putting on the aligners back.
• Remove aligners before meals to avoid damaging them.
• Regularly cleaning your aligners is very important, so make it a habit of cleaning your aligner every day with water and a soft brush.
• Minimize snacking between your meals as it will increase acidic reactions in your mouth, causing gum decay.
• To maintain your orthodontic nutrition, try to consume foods that are enriched with vitamins and minerals. Have well-cooked food and less spicy food for better overall health.

Bad Breath

Challenges:

Bad breath is another unwanted side effect that can sometimes come up during aligner treatment. Some people misinterpret  that bad breath is caused due to the aligners themselves or because they have been worn for at least 20-22 hours a day, but those are just myths. Bad breath can be an indicator that you are not taking adequate care of your aligner and your oral health. When cared for properly, your aligners should always be fresh and clean, keeping your teeth healthy and your breath fresh.

Solutions:

• Drink plenty of water. The best way to treat dry mouth is by using water. Staying hydrated helps maintain a steady saliva flow and prevents bad breath. Also, water can help wash away leftover food particles from your teeth and aligners.
• Keep Your Aligners Clean: If bad breath is your issue, the best advice we can give you is to keep your aligners clean. Never eat or drink anything but water when you have aligners in, and wash your aligners thoroughly after every meal.
• Brush & floss your teeth: While it’s not always convenient, try to floss and rinse after you eat to avoid food particles that can be left behind. Otherwise, you may end up trapping those unwanted food particles under your aligners, causing bad breath.
• Use mouthwash: After brushing, rinsing with mouthwash can kill any leftover bacteria and get rid of bad breath.
• Avoid Tobacco and Caffeine: Tobacco, among many other negative effects, is also known to dry out your mouth. This goes for all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, hookah, chewing tobacco and so on. Caffeine could contribute to dry mouth or bad breath, too. You should avoid taking them.
• Brush your aligners: To brush your aligners, avoid regular toothpaste, as some have abrasives that can damage them. Use a mild toothpaste, antibacterial soap and a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean them.
• Remember to soak your aligners: Soaking your aligners at least once every couple of days helps to remove any build-up that could cause bad breath.
• Keep your regular dental appointments: You should continue to visit your orthodontist to ensure your smile is as healthy as possible.

Sleeping 

Challenges:

Clear aligners work because of the near-constant pressure. Therefore, it is necessary to wear the aligners during sleep. The manufacturers, as well as the dentists, suggest wearing the aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day and only removing them while eating or brushing the teeth.

It is not a good idea to remove the aligner trays while sleeping as they will not function as fast if they do not provide continuous pressure.

If patients stay too long without using aligners, the teeth may return to their original position, making it possible to restart the treatment from scratch.

Also, if patients neglect to wear their aligners at night for a few days, they may experience pain when putting them back on. This is a common side effect of the teeth moving out of alignment. Generally, the pain should go away in a few days. 

Solutions:

It is always advised to sleep with your aligners on, for the best results. If you’re experiencing severe pain during the night, you may use a cold compress that may relieve the pain. If experiencing severe pain or consistent pain for a longer period, you should consult your doctor for pain relief or further adjustments of your aligners.

Excessive salivation

Challenges:

For some individuals beginning their journey with clear aligners, a common challenge arises in the form of excessive salivation. This sudden increase in saliva production can be unexpected and uncomfortable, potentially disrupting the wearer’s comfort and daily routine.

Solutions:

Fortunately, in many cases, excessive salivation tends to diminish naturally within a day or two as the wearer adjusts to the presence of the aligners in their mouth. However, if the issue persists or becomes particularly bothersome, seeking guidance from a dentist is advisable. Dentists can offer personalized recommendations and may suggest specific adjustments to the aligner or provide strategies to alleviate discomfort and minimize excessive salivation during the aligner wear period. 

Stay Motivated: Tips for Consistent Clear Aligner Wear

Getting on with clear aligner therapy can be challenging. Challenges like 22 hours of continuous usage, removing every time you eat, maintaining high-end oral hygiene, etc., can make you frustrated, but you have to stay positive and motivated to achieve your desired goal- a beautiful smile! Remember, the aligners only work while you’re wearing them. With the potential difficulties, you may adopt these insightful strategies to stay motivated throughout your orthodontic expedition.

• Eat satiating meals to prevent snacking: With so little “aligner-free” time throughout the day, it’s helpful to limit snacks. Focus on adding more healthy fats and carbs to your diet. If you are having trouble staying full, try adding a protein smoothie or shake into the mix.
• Multi-task: Multi-tasking is key during life with clear aligners. Instead of drinking your coffee separately, enjoy it with your meal to limit the amount of aligner-free time. Similarly, soak aligners while you’re eating dinner can balance your time.
• Brush and floss right after your meals: The longer you wait, the longer your trays will be out. If you’re at the office or out at lunch with friends, then use a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to help you keep your teeth clean on the go.
• Keep yourself motivated: At the beginning of your treatment, you may feel extremely motivated to follow all of your dentist’s instructions, but your energy level may drop with time. Taking progress pictures is a great way to remind yourself what you’re working so hard for.

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