To straighten your teeth, Invisalign uses a series of custom-made aligners designed to fit comfortably over your teeth. It is essential that your aligners fit well so your treatment processes quickly as planned. When you started Invisalign treatment, your Honolulu & Aiea orthodontist gave you aligner chewies which are small foam cylinders. These chewies are meant to be used to help close any air gaps between your teeth and your aligners.
When you first start with a new set of aligner trays, they may not fit tightly against your teeth. Biting down on a chewie helps the aligners fit more closely to the teeth so that your treatment progresses faster. Using the chewies also helps relieve tension and discomfort when putting in a fresh set of aligners until your teeth begin to shift.
To use an aligner chewie, just place it between your teeth and bite down. Make sure you bite and hold for at least 5 seconds before releasing. Then move it from one end of your mouth to the other, continuing to bite up and down until you have bitten on it with all your teeth.
Keep repeating the process for 5 to 10 minutes to ensure your aligners are well-seated against your teeth. Do this exercise at least twice a day (morning and at night). You can wash them after each use with mild soap and water and then re-use them several times before they lose their elasticity.
If you feel that there is an area or tooth that is not fitting the trays as well as others, do additional chewie exercises on those specific areas. Use the chewies every time you change to a new set of aligners as they will help the aligners seat well on your teeth to help achieve the best possible tooth movement.
Excellent Tracking
Chewie
Our team at Morita Orthodontics is always available to speak with you! If you have any questions about your Invisalign treatment or using your aligner chewies, please contact us during regular office hours. We want your treatment to move along swiftly as planned so you achieve the results you want which is a straight, attractive and healthy smile designed to last you a lifetime!
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment with us, you can fill out our online appointment request form or give us a call at our Honolulu office at (808) 941-3355 or our Aiea office at (808) 486-5505. We can’t wait to hear from you!
RE: COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
To our valued patients,
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), President Trump, the American Dental Association and the Hawaii Dental Association are recommending all dentists postpone nonemergency dental procedures for 2 weeks. Our practice is committed to protecting the community and avoiding using valuable resources that our first responders and frontline healthcare providers will need.
Our office will be closed effective today, Wednesday, March 18, and we plan to resume regular hours on Wednesday, April 1. If you are experiencing a true dental emergency including swelling or severe tooth pain, please call your general dentist office, and listen closely as emergency contact info will be available. For all nonemergent questions, please email us at [email protected].
We are so sorry for the burden this places on your schedules, but your continued health and safety are our number one priority. Our office is working diligently to reschedule all patients with existing appointments within the next 2 weeks. We will continue to evaluate the situation as it evolves and determine on a weekly basis when it is appropriate for us to return to normal orthodontic patient care. We ask for your compassion and understanding at this time as we all work together to keep Hawaii healthy.
Sincerely,
Your Morita Orthodontics Ohana
