Do chewies really help Invisalign treatments?
Dr. B. Kanagasabapathy
[M.D.S. (Ortho), Fellow ICOI]
Clear aligners are transparent dental braces that are also efficient in correcting teeth alignment issues. The orthodontic device is gaining popularity as it is less painful, highly comfortable, offers quick solutions, and is barely noticeable. We hope you’ll be aware of it.
You should ensure the appliance fits firmly over the teeth whenever you put it inside your mouth. In certain circumstances, the aligner tray does not sit snugly inside the mouth when you put it back in the mouth after removal. Likely, replacing the clear trays every 1 to 2 weeks is mandatory. You would feel mild discomfort after switching to a new aligner every time.
In such cases, you can take advantage of an appliance called Aligners Chewies. Please keep reading to know what it is and its role in straightening your teeth.
What are aligners chewies?
Aligners chewies, also known as tray seaters or aligner seaters, are soft orthodontic accessories made up of Styrene Copolymer. It appears like a spongy-plastic roll and is about the size of a cotton roll.
You have to repeatedly bite a chewie for 5 to 10 minutes so the brace can nudge into its place perfectly. Such a superior fit of aligners makes the teeth straightening process more comfortable.
What are the benefits of using aligner chewies?
Besides ensuring the comfort level of clear aligners, the aligner chewies aid your teeth straightening journey in the following ways:
- Expel air gaps in the aligners – Whenever you switch to a new aligner periodically, you will notice some space between the brace and your teeth. It is natural and will disappear once the clear brace realigns the teeth. Such air gaps will influence the mobility of the teeth if they persist for a period. So it would help if you eliminated the gap to ensure the clear tray fits nicely over the teeth. You can accomplish it with the help of the aligner tray seaters.
- Speed up the orthodontic treatment – As it eliminates obstacles like air gaps, reducing pain while wearing new clear braces, it allows an individual to wear them for many hours a day. Likewise, the repeated chewing and chewing motion empower the tissues around the teeth root to respond quickly to the gentle pressure exerted with clear aligners. It implies that the teeth are supposed to straighten soon.
To enjoy the pros of aligner chewies, you should use them when you detect your clear brace does not fit well on certain teeth. Likewise, you should use it whenever you replace your clear tray with a new set of aligners.
How to use aligner chewies?
You must use the chewies when the clear brace does not fit perfectly. Proper and correct usage of chewies makes the appliance more effective. Here are the steps to be followed while using Invisalign chewies:
1) Wear the aligner as suggested by your orthodontist and ensure it fits perfectly on your teeth as much as possible.
2) Place the tray seater between the upper and lower teeth at the area where you notice the clear brace does not sit properly.
3) Bite the soft spongy plastic appliance repeatedly for 5 to 10 seconds.
4) Move the chewie to another area between the upper and lower jaw. Bit down it repeatedly.
5) Repeat the process for the rest of your teeth to ensure the brace holds up perfectly on all teeth.
We recommend that Invisalign wearers to start chewing on one side of the mouth and gradually moving onto the other. It is a better practice to chew the appliance for about 5 minutes twice a day.
Are Invisalign chewies reusable?
Yes. You can reuse a chewie until the appliance becomes distorted or its elastic is worn down. After that, get a new aligner chewie.
This chewie equipment offers no benefits if used with damage or distortion. Instead, it will exacerbate the discomforts that come with using new braces, such as pain, soreness, and others.
How should you clean aligner chewies?
As the chewies can be reused, you should wash the appliance thoroughly after every biting session. You can use mild, gentle soaps to clean the chewie.
It is recommended because the saliva-soaked foam in chewies will reintroduce harmful oral microorganisms, followed by various dental issues.
Bottom line
The aligner chewies tend to make your clear braces fit tightly over the teeth so that the teeth straightener works effectively to streamline the alignment. The chewing appliance mandates repeated biting and chewing motions to nudge the aligner into its place.
As the braces trays remain firmly for hours when we sleep, chewies will be more effective when they are used before bed. However, you should be aware of choking hazards while using the aligner tray seaters.
Would you like to know more about the chewies or their alternatives such as movemints and munchies? Contact us at any time here.
