Clear aligners are one of the most popular modern orthodontic treatments available to both teens and adults. While they offer convenient removability that makes eating what you want possible and brushing and flossing easier, sometimes, these aligners can become incredibly difficult to remove. In these situations, you’ll want to have some helpful tips up your sleeve to get them off of your teeth safely. Read on to learn about why this can happen and five tips to remove them.
Why are Your Aligners Hard to Remove?
Clear aligners work similar to braces in the way that they apply a gentle and strategic amount of pressure to the teeth to gradually shift them into their ideal positions. In order for this to occur, the trays need to be securely fitted for your unique dental structure, which is why all of your trays are custom crafted. Not only does this allow them to straighten your teeth, but the tight fit also ensures that they don’t just fall off of your arch. Due to this, they can become hard to move, especially if you recently switched to a new series of trays in your treatment plan.
5 Tips to Remove Your Clear Aligners
Below are five ways to make removing your clear aligners easier. However, if you try these methods and still aren’t able to get them out of your mouth, it may be a good idea to call your dentist or orthodontist for assistance.
Begin Removing Them from the Back
While your first instinct may be to try to remove your aligners starting at your front teeth, this area can be difficult to grasp onto. Instead, begin by pulling your aligners away from your back molars, repeating this step on both sides of your mouth, and slowly work your way towards the front of your arch.
Avoid Drinking Cold Beverages Before Removing Your Aligners
The natural warmth of your saliva and mouth make it easier to remove your aligners. If you drink a cold beverage before you need to remove your trays, it will make the material less flexible and harder to dislodge from your arch.
Try Getting a Better Grip
If you can’t seem to get a good grip on your clear aligners with just your hands, try something that will help you get a better grip, like a paper towel or even surgical gloves. These can be easily stored in a pocket or bag, and they may offer you better friction and grip than your bare hands.
Purchase an Aligner Hook
There are a ton of helpful instruments out there for aligner wearers, one of which is an aligner hook. These are special tools that are designed to slip onto the edge of your tray to gently lift them away from your teeth. They’re shaped similarly to a crochet hook and are smooth to prevent damage, but it’s still important to be gentle when using them to avoid damaging your tray or gums.
Relax Your Mouth
You may find yourself tensing up your muscles around your mouth and not even knowing it, which can make it harder to remove your aligners. Make an effort to relax before you need to take out your trays, take a few deep breaths, and gently try to start removing them from the back molars first.
About the Practice
At Oakbrook Dental & Orthodontics, our team includes two specially trained orthodontists, Drs. Stephanie Weng and Nathan Coughlin. Throughout your entire journey towards a straighter smile, our team will be available to help make your treatment as smooth-sailing and comfortable as possible. To schedule a consultation and learn more about our CandidPro clear aligner system, visit our website or call 469-526-4040.