Invisalign has helped millions of dental patients regain their confidence and improve their smiles. The aligners shift your teeth gradually by moving them horizontally or vertically. Remember that they can also rotate your teeth when required. The fact that Invisalign is less likely to cause damage compared to metal braces does not mean that the aligners are indestructible. They are prone to cracks and breakages, which can emanate from various sources. Here is an overview of the likely causes of Invisalign cracks and a few tips on what to do about them.
Chewing on your Invisalign
Although high durability characterizes resin, its use in the manufacture of Invisalign trays does not give you the freedom to chew on them. Eating on your aligners serves to apply localized pressure on your aligners. Whereas the damage may not happen immediately, continued application of stress goes on to weaken the trays, and consequently, cracking them.
It’s due to such effects that orthodontists advise their dental patients to remove the trays when eating or taking liquids such as carbonated drinks. Although water may not impose dangerous effects on your trays, avoid taking hot water while wearing your trays since high temperatures can damage the plastic.
Same Removal Technique
Your regular way of removing trays from your mouth can also play a part in the cracking of the aligners. When you opt to straighten your teeth with Invisalign, you develop a daily routine such as removing the trays the same way every time. Nonetheless, it’s essential to know that lack of variation of your removal techniques can work against the lifespan of your trays.
Frequent removal of Invisalign aligners using the same method creates pressure points on the trays and weakens them in the long run. Eventually, your aligners crack or break once they yield to the constant pressure applied on a particular point. Therefore, break the habit of taking out your trays on one side only.
Excessively Crooked Teeth
In most cases, tray cracks occur where your tooth or teeth are most misaligned. This could be in the form of overlapping or protrusion. Once you note that your Invisalign does not fit well on a particular tooth, you will be tempted to push it harder at that point.
Nevertheless, take note that applying hard force on your trays will weaken them and cause them to crack. Additionally, your aligners may crack where your teeth are severely rotated, meaning that the aligners will do more work at those points to get your tooth into the desired position.
Sudden Trauma
Trauma on your aligners can occur in various forms. You may experience hard blows on your mouth during a fall, fight or even during an accident. Additionally, your aligners may crack when they hit a hard surface, especially when you handle them carelessly.
Moreover, it takes only a few seconds for your dog to grab your trays from the table or sofa and convert them into playing objects. Any situation that causes a hard impact on your aligners can damage them.
What to Do About Invisalign Cracks
Conventionally, patients attempt to repair cracked aligners using glue purchased from their local hardware. Nonetheless, why should you introduce toxic substances to the safe plastics? Glues contain harmful substances, and having trays fixed with glue in your mouth for at least 22 hours a day can expose you to detrimental health conditions. Consequently, avoid DIY repairs at all cost and visit your orthodontist immediately you notice the cracks.
The dental care specialist will advise you accordingly, depending on the timing and extent of the cracks. He or she may encourage you to continue wearing the trays if the crack is not severe. Moreover, the orthodontist can repair the aligners, although this may not happen for all cases of less severe cracks.
Nevertheless, the specialist may recommend you to start wearing your next set of aligners should the damage occur after eight days or more. Should a severe crack occur within a few days after wearing a new set of aligners, your orthodontist will most likely advise you to wear your previous set until a new a tray is fabricated for you.
Preventing Invisalign Tray Cracks
There are a few things you should do to prevent cracking of trays. Always remove your aligners when eating since they are not designed to handle the high pressure from chewing. Additionally, vary the removal techniques to prevent pressure application on the same points of the trays. Finally, always store your aligners in a case when not using them.
Bottom-line
Although Invisalign trays are more durable than metal braces, they are not impervious to damage. Several things can cause cracks on your Invisalign aligners, including but not limited to an excessively misaligned tooth, removing them the same way always, and chewing on your aligners. Most importantly, consult your orthodontist who will recommend the appropriate measure depending on the time the crack happens and its severity.