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Specialty Appliances returns a Patient Wear and Care Instruction Card with each case. Aligners should fit like a tight glove with no irritation to the surrounding gingival tissues. As the teeth move into position the aligner will begin to feel loose indicating it is time to place the next aligner in the series. Patient's generally wear each aligner in the series for 3-4 weeks. There is some discomfort when teeth begin to move just as there is with braces.
How many aligners does the patient receive at one time?
The number of aligners given directly to the patient is determined by the type of case and whether or not IPR , if required, is performed all at once at the first appointment or prior to fabrication of the aligners. Many clinicians prefer to see the patient for delivery of each aligner to review progress to date. Some cases such as space closure accommodate multiple aligner changes without supervision better than cases presenting with rotations and crowding. To ensure aligner therapy is progressing on schedule clinicians generally re-appoint patients at 4-8 week intervals.
Removing the aligners - Eating/Brushing teeth - Cleaning the Aligners
Aligners are removed while eating and brushing teeth, and may be cleaned by using a soft toothbrush with non-abrasive toothpaste and rinsing it in warm water. The patient should always start to loosen the aligner near the molars by simultaneously pushing up or down in a rocking motion on the right and left gingival edges. As the aligner loosens move the pressure towards the anterior section until the aligner slides off.
What happens if an aligner does not fit?
Due to the material's properties, aligners tend to initially fit tightly. If an aligner does not seat properly, place it in hot "tap" water for 10-15 seconds, but no longer. This warming effect should ease seating by making the material more flexible. Note: Do not use extremely hot water as such temperatures will distort aligners. If the aligner is riding up but not popping off, sometimes a few days wear will ease the aligner into place.
Aligner fits but a tooth is not moving.
If an aligner seems not to be moving a certain tooth check for contact interference with the teeth mesial and distal to the tooth in question as well as with a tooth in the opposing arch. In some cases the interference can be below the gingival margin. In such instances enamel reduction may be required. Also check to see if the tooth is ankylosed.
New aligners are indicated.
For whatever reason, when a new aligner is indicated, a new set of impressions or work models will need to be submitted to the lab. Specialty will also request return of the original control models and set-up along with the aligner in question and all remaining aligners in the series for evaluation. Hold the patient's teeth where they are by having them continue to wear their current aligner or delivering an invisible type of retainer.
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More Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Check here for a list of FAQs. Further questions? Please feel free to e-mail us or call 1-800-LAB-INFO.
Interarch Coordination of Tooth Movement
Avoiding interarch interference.
Interproximal Reduction (IPR)
IPR is necessary in the majority of cases to create space for crowded teeth to move. Visit the Clinical Information Center for more details.
Impressions and Models
Resubmitting a case.
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