Clear aligners for teeth have become a popular choice for achieving a straighter smile, offering a comfortable and discreet alternative to traditional braces. Made from medical grade plastic, these aligners are custom-fitted to your teeth, allowing for gradual movement without the hassle of metal brackets and wires.
However, ensuring they fit properly is crucial for effective treatment. This is where aligner chewies come in. These small, chewy aids help seat your aligners snugly against your teeth, promoting better tooth movement and minimising discomfort.
In this blog, we will explain what aligner chewies are and discuss the best practices for using them alongside your clear aligners to ensure you get the most out of your orthodontic journey.
What are Aligner Chewies?
Chewies are compact tubes-like devices made of plastic that are designed for chewing and eliminate air pockets between your clear aligners and your teeth. They are user-friendly and help apply extra pressure, ensuring that your aligners fit more securely during your smile transformation process.
When patients bite down on chewies, they help ensure that the aligners for teeth fit snugly against them, promoting better alignment and more effective treatment. Chewies can also help to reduce discomfort from the aligners and can be used after inserting new aligners to help seat them properly.
How to Use Aligner Chewies?
Aligner chewies are a simple yet effective tool to enhance your orthodontic treatment experience with clear aligners. Here’s how to use them effectively:2
- Insert Your Aligners: First, make sure your aligners are properly placed on your teeth.
- Placement of chewie: Grab a chewie and place it between your teeth where you feel the aligner isn’t sitting perfectly.
- Bite on chewie: Gently bite down on the soft chewie, which are about the size of a cotton roll for about 10-15 seconds, then release and repeat for about five minutes, twice a day. You can move it around to different areas of your mouth to help seat the aligners fully. Continue this process with different chewies, focusing on any spots where the aligner feels loose.
- Remove and Rinse: After chewing, remove the chewy, rinse it if needed, and put it away for next time.
- Frequency: Use chewies several times a day, especially after inserting new aligners.
By incorporating chewies into your routine, you can enhance your treatment results and enjoy a smoother journey to a confident smile. To maximise the effectiveness of your aligner treatment, consider consulting an expert.Â
Taking Care of Aligner Chewies
Chewies have a limited lifespan, just like any other dental accessory. They might become less elastic and pliable with time, which would lessen their usefulness. As a result, it’s critical to routinely check on their health. Keeping them clean is also essential for them to work properly and prolong their lifespan.Â
You should rinse the chewies with mildly soapy and warm water after each usage to get rid of any bacteria or residue. During your aligner treatment, proper care ensures that chewies stay clean and don’t introduce any potentially dangerous substances into your mouth.
And if you see any indications of wear or damage, it’s time to replace them. You can obtain aligner chewies from your provider, or from a store with dental care products. Toothsi is a well-known brand for clear aligners in India and they also provide aligner chewies. Their experts can guide you best on using chewies and other aspects of your aligner treatment. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out now!
Commonly Used Aligners Brands in India
With the increasing demand for discreet orthodontic treatment, a variety of clear aligner brands have risen to prominence. Here are some of the common aligner brands available in the country:4
- Invisalign: One of the oldest and renowned brands in clear aligner technology, Invisalign is globally recognized for its custom aligners that effectively address a range of orthodontic issues, although they come at a premium price.5
- MakeO Toothsi: This brand stands out with its personalised treatment plans and the convenience of at-home care, coupled with a strong emphasis on customer support. By incorporating dental professionals in consultations and adjustments, they foster trust and accessibility, offering services at a more affordable starting price of ₹69,999. Their teeth aligners cost is designed to be flexible, making it accessible to a broader audience.6
- SureSmile: Renowned for its cutting-edge technology that ensures accurate tooth movement, SureSmile does not offer in-home consultations.
- Snazzy Aligners: Snazzy features a straightforward treatment process and provides individualised treatment plans that start with initial scans and includes home delivery of the aligners, making it convenient for patients.
If you’re thinking about using clear aligners to improve your smile, now is an excellent time to consider these leading brands.Â
Conclusion
Using aligner chewies correctly is essential for optimising your orthodontic treatment. By ensuring a snug fit of your aligners, chewies can help facilitate proper tooth movement and enhance overall comfort. To maximise their effectiveness, it’s important to chew on them consistently for the recommended time and to incorporate them into your daily routine. Additionally, maintaining good oral hygiene and following your orthodontist’s instructions will further support your journey to a straighter smile. With the right approach, aligner chewies can be a valuable tool in achieving your dental goals efficiently and effectively.