Wearing clear aligners allows you to experience orthodontic treatment in a newer, more comfortable, and convenient way. Created to gently shift teeth over time using fully customized plastic trays, patients can often achieve results more quickly than with traditional braces. But what happens when you notice that your teeth stop moving? If you are unsure why this might happen, here are 3 reasons your dentist might give.
You Are Not Meeting the 20-22-Hour Wear Time
Clear aligners come with great responsibility, and although you may do your best to wear your trays 20-22 hours a day, you may find it hard to adhere to this essential guideline. They are only to be removed when eating, drinking anything other than water, or cleaning them. While you can take them out briefly for a presentation or athletic event, you need to reinsert them immediately once you are finished.
Failing to wear your aligners accordingly can cause your teeth to stop shifting and delay your progress.
You Are Not Cleaning Them Regularly
If you don’t properly clean your aligners each day, you’re less likely to wear them because of the foul odor that can develop. The risk of cavities also increases because bacteria become trapped and transfer to your teeth. Over time, your trays become discolored, making them more visible to others. All of this can lead to less wear time and teeth that no longer shift in the right direction.
Using a soft-bristle toothbrush, lukewarm water, and clear soap is often enough to thoroughly clean your aligners. Allowing them to soak while eating also ensures a deeper clean that benefits both your trays and your smile.
You Have Teeth That Simply Don’t Want to Move
Stubborn teeth are common among those who wear clear aligners. While your orthodontist will create a treatment plan that offers the most successful pathway to a straighter smile, they cannot foresee teeth that may be problematic along the way.
In this situation, your dentist may add attachments to help move these teeth as planned. Rubber bands can be used to aid this process so that you don’t veer too far off track.
No matter what the reason might be for your teeth to stop shifting, trust that your orthodontist and dental team will help move your smile forward. Whether you adopt a more rigid routine or add fixtures to your treatment to ensure progress, you can still plan to achieve a straighter, healthier set of teeth.
About Grand Dental – Aurora
Clear aligners make orthodontic treatment a more enjoyable experience for patients with crooked, misaligned teeth. At Grand Dental – Aurora, our in-house orthodontist and dental team want to ensure patients have the guidance they need to keep their teeth moving in the right direction. If you’re concerned that your pearly whites aren’t shifting anymore, visit our website or call (630) 538-8302 to schedule an appointment.