When it comes to aligners, alignment is key!
Since there has been a boom in removable aligners over the last few years, more dental teams and patients than ever before have concerns that, when aligners are placed into the mouth, they may not fit correctly. As you can imagine, a misaligned aligner does not align teeth well!
At Kooringal Dental, we take the time to ensure that all of our patients who wear aligners are informed about how to use them correctly. As Invisalign Wagga is our most popular aligner, we aim to educate our patients on how this nifty aligner works, helping you get a lovely smile within the shortest possible time.
While patients’ education from our dental team is key to success, there are a few other things that can be used alongside Invisalign Wagga to increase its success. Here, we answer FAQs about chewies related to this aligner.
What are chewies?
For Invisalign Wagga to work, it has to slot properly over your teeth at each stage of treatment. And, as well crafted and customised as these aligners are, there are instances in which they might not be placed onto the teeth correctly. This, as you can imagine, would slow down treatment.
However, with the use of chewies, you can ensure that the aligners fit well. Chewies are soft, plastic cylinders, about the size of a cotton roll, that you chew on after you have put your aligners in.
What are they made from?
Chewies are made from a soft plastic called styrene copolymer.
While you may not have heard of this material, don’t worry; it is suitable for use with aligners and will not fracture due to pressure.
How often should I use them?
Try to use your chewies twice a day for 5 minutes each time. We usually recommend using them when you replace an aligner after a meal, brush your teeth, etc. You may also wish to use them more than this if you have recently switched to a new aligner in the series that feels tight.
To ensure that they work well (and that the whole aligner is placed correctly), we may also recommend placing the chewies on one side of your mouth and gradually chewing them across to the other side.
Can they speed up treatment?
Not really.
When you have your initial consultation with us about your realignment, we will give you an estimated timeline of how long it should take with the regular wearing of the aligner. And, while chewies may not dramatically speed up treatment, they will help to keep it on schedule and may reduce the time needed for wearing the aligners.
Are there any side effects?
As with most things related to teeth and aligners, you may notice a slight discomfort after using chewies; this is typical if the aligner is new and you have only just started wearing it.
Also, as they require recurring chewing motions to work correctly, your jaw may feel achy and sore after prolonged use. This should rarely be cause for concern and should fade over time; however, if it doesn’t, please talk to our team.
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.
