How Invisalign Chewies Can Help Your Aligners Fit Better

If you wear Invisalign, you may occasionally notice that a new aligner feels especially tight or does not seem to sit completely against every tooth right away. One simple tool that some patients find helpful is an Invisalign chewie.

Chewies are not required for every Invisalign patient, but they can be a useful option if you want a little extra help getting your aligners fully seated.

What Are Invisalign Chewies?

Invisalign chewies are small, soft cylinders made from a flexible material. You gently bite down on them while wearing your aligners to help press the trays more securely onto your teeth.

They are widely available online and can be purchased by patients who would like to incorporate them into their Invisalign routine.

How Can Chewies Help?

The main purpose of chewies is to help your aligners seat more closely against your teeth.

Invisalign works by using a series of custom-made trays to gradually guide your teeth into new positions. For the aligners to work as planned, it is important for them to fit closely over your teeth.

Chewies may be helpful for:

• Helping a new aligner settle into place
• Reducing small spaces between the aligner and your teeth
• Helping the tray fit more securely around Invisalign attachments
• Reseating your aligners after eating or brushing
• Focusing extra pressure on an area where the tray feels slightly loose

They can be especially useful during the first few days after switching to a new set of aligners, when your trays may feel tighter than usual.

How Do You Use Invisalign Chewies?

Using chewies is simple. With your aligners in place, position the chewie between your upper and lower teeth and gently bite down.

Move the chewie around your mouth, spending a little extra time in any area where you notice a small gap between your tooth and the aligner.

Rather than chewing quickly like gum, try biting down and holding for a few seconds before moving to another area.

Are Chewies Necessary for Invisalign?

Not necessarily.

Many patients complete Invisalign treatment without regularly using chewies. They are simply an optional tool that may help if you are having difficulty getting a tray to feel completely seated.

The most important part of Invisalign treatment is still following your dentist's instructions, including wearing your aligners for the recommended amount of time and changing trays according to your treatment schedule.

Where Can You Get Invisalign Chewies?

Chewies and similar clear-aligner seating tools are easy to find through online retailers and stores that sell orthodontic accessories.

If you decide to purchase them, look for a product specifically designed to help seat clear aligners.

What If Your Aligners Still Do Not Fit?

Chewies can help with minor seating issues, but they should not be used to force an aligner that clearly does not fit.

If you notice a significant gap between your teeth and your trays, an aligner repeatedly pops off, or a tooth does not appear to be tracking properly, contact your Invisalign provider.

Your dentist can check your aligners and determine whether everything is progressing as expected.

A Simple Extra Tool for Your Invisalign Routine

Invisalign chewies are a small and inexpensive accessory that some patients find helpful during treatment. While they are not essential for everyone, they can make it easier to fully seat your aligners, particularly when switching to a new tray.

If you are currently undergoing Invisalign treatment and have questions about how your trays are fitting, your dental team can help make sure your treatment continues to stay on track.