No Ordinary Dentistry

USE, CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF ALIGNERS

DO’S AND DON’T’S during THE COURSE OF TREatment

22 HOURS

Minimum Daily Wear

You have a maximum of 2 hours daily to eat, drink and clean your teeth

TIMING AND SELF MONITORING

When do you progress to a new aligner?

  • TWO WEEKS (14 DAYS).
    • ALIGNERS SEQUENTIALLY REPLACED ON AN AVERAGE OF EVERY TWO WEEKS (14 DAYS).
    • (*) THIS MAY BE REDUCED OR EXTENDED BY A WEEK DEPENDING ON THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE TEETH. IF THE ALL THE TEETH HAVE MOVED QUICKLY IT IS POSSIBLE TO PROGRESS TO THE NEXT ALIGNERS EARLIER. Conversely if one or more of the teeth have not conformed to or moved into the aligner space you should stay on the same aligner for longer while actively helping the tooth/teeth to move into position using the CHEWIE
  • AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF SETS HAS BEEN MONITORED AND THE CLINICIAN IS SATISFIED THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO PLACE, REMOVE AND CARE FOR THE APPLIANCE, YOU WILL/MAY BE ISSUED MULTIPLE SETS OF THE ALIGNERS SO THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO VISIT THE PRACTICE EVERY TWO WEEKS.
EXCEPTION HANDLING
When do you not progress to a new aligner ?
NON TRACKING

NOT TRACKING

DURING THE COURSE OF TREATMENT THERE MAYBE A STAGE THAT SOME TEETH DOES NOT FOLLOW THE ALIGNER. YOU WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THIS (see photos) AND ACTION THE FOLLOWING

  • NOT TRACKING – DO NOT PROGRESS THE ALIGNERS
  • USE CHEWIES MORE IN THIS AREA(S) AND EXTEND THE TIME USE OF THE CURRENT ALIGNERS BEFORE PROGRESSING
  • (*) AFTER A WEEK OF EXTENDED USE IF THE LAGGED TOOTH/TEETH HAVE NOT TRACKED OR IF YOU ARE NOT CERTAIN THAT IT IS BETTER, DO NOT CHANGE ALIGNERS AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR ASSESSMENT BY YOUR DENTIST

CHEWIES

Silicone bite pads used to actively HELP move the tooth into the aligners (EXTRUDE).

To extrude the tooth the active action of the chewie is when you RELEASE the bite.

SO DON’T JUST BITE DOWN ON THE CHEWIE IT WORKS WHEN YOU OPEN !!

  • Do not use Chewies within the first two days after you switch to a new aligner. Allow the teeth to passively move in the first 2 days. If there are spaces in the aligner trays above the top edge of any teeth use the Chewie to repeatedly force the space close and this should move the teeth into place.
  • If after 3 weeks or more of attempting to seat the tooth/teeth without success call into see the dentist and do not progress to the next aligner tray.
DURING THE COURSE OF TREATMENT

ALWAYS CARRY YOUR ALIGNER CASE

THE ALIGNERS ARE EITHER

IN YOUR FACE OR IN THE CASE

OR YOU WILL RISK LOSING your aligner !!

THE MOST COMMON WAY OF LOSING ALIGNERS

WRAPPED IN TISSUE WHEN EATING OUT and THE WAITER CLEANS THE TABLE

SECOND MOST COMMON WAY OF LOSING ALIGNERS

PETS CHEW UP ALIGNERS

IF YOU HAVE PETS DO NOT LEAVE YOUR ALIGNERS LAYING AROUND AND APPARENTLY THEY ARE QUICK TO GRAB IT.

MAINTENANCE

  • DO NOT CLEAN ALIGNERS USING HOT WATER
  • DO NOT EXPOSE ALIGNERS TO HEAT
    e.g. Leave it in a hot car in summer time

Aligners are formed or shaped under heat and will warp if exposed to heat

BEST PRACTICE
600ml Tank Capacity is a good size most dental appliance
  1. Ultrasonic Cleaner – Daily use. Gentle mechanical cleaning without the need to brush by hand and risk premature breakage. No need to use chemical daily ( ie cleaning tablet ). Water is usually all you will need
  2. Denture Cleaning Tablets 
    Use every other day, once or twice a week or as required to deodorize.
    Place a tablet in the ultrasonic cleaner.
  3. Toothbrush frequently when able
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