Are you reusing your old Invisalign trays even though you’ve finished your treatment?
If you are, you shouldn’t be. There are a lot of reasons why you might want to continue to use your old trays.
Expense
Orthodontic treatments are expensive, so it’s not uncommon for people to keep their old Invisalign trays and try to get as much use out of them as possible.
Tooth Alignment Concerns
You may also be worried about your teeth shifting back out of place. After all, you spent all of that time wearing your Invisaligns, you want to make sure that your teeth are perfect.
Precaution
While it may be tempting to hold onto old trays, it’s better that you don’t use them longer than your treatment plan tells you to. This may not seem like a big deal to you if you aren’t forcing trays onto your teeth that feel too tight, but you still shouldn’t be wearing them.
It turns out, that even though your old trays fit you they can still cause damage to your teeth. Especially since your older trays, although they may seem to fit, are likely tighter than they should be.
This means that by forcing them onto your teeth you are putting unnecessary pressure on them. The same sentiment goes for old retainers. Forcing a retainer onto your teeth that you haven’t worn in a while is going to do more harm than good for your smile. Your teeth may loosen, or adjust your bite to a position that wasn’t what you intended.
Wearing trays after you’re finished with them can have serious repercussions. This prolonged wear can lead to pain, damage, and the trays may even get stuck on your teeth. Also, by using the wrong trays you can actually cause damage to the gums surrounding your teeth.
Instead, you should use the proper trays. Your Invisalign treatment has specific trays that correlate with your ideal treatment plan. Using the right set is important to ensuring that your treatment is successful.
It’s not wasteful to stop using trays once you are finished with them. There’s a reason why you are supposed to change your trays routinely. Your dental health professional has your best interests in mind when instructing you on proper usage, so it’s important to listen to them.
You are not preventing future shifting or just helping your treatment go smoothly if you take it upon yourself to modify your plan and wear the trays a little longer. Trust that your Invisalign treatment will give you the results that you’re looking for. You just have to be patient.
If you have concerns about your teeth shifting, the progress of your treatment, or the fit of your Invisaligns, you should talk to your dentist before making any changes. This is in the best interest of your treatment progress, teeth, and gum health.
If you have questions about Invisalign or any other dental concerns, call our office today.