Invisalign Tracking: What It Means and Why It Matters

Invisalign is a great way to straighten your teeth. However, like any dental treatment, problems can arise, with one of the most common being tracking. If you’ve started your Invisalign treatment, you’ve probably heard the term “Invisalign tracking”, but what exactly does it mean and more importantly, why does it matter?  

Simply put, Invisalign tracking refers to how well your clear aligners fit over your teeth and is vital to the success of your treatment. Correct tracking means your teeth are moving in accordance with your customized treatment plan, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.

When your aligners aren’t fitting snugly or there are noticeable gaps between the plastic trays and your teeth, this is referred to as poor tracking. Not only can this slow down your treatment but it can even knock it off track.  

This article explains how you can tell if your Invisalign is tracking correctly, the causes of poor tracking, and what you can do if your aligners aren’t a good fit.

How to determine if your Invisalign is tracking  

One of the easiest ways to establish whether your Invisalign aligners have stopped fitting correctly is to look at how well they align with the top and bottom of your teeth. Signs of poor tracking include:

• Invisalign is loose on the back teeth
• Your aligners are not fitting one tooth
• There is a gap between your aligners and teeth

Conversely, if your aligners closely match the outline of your teeth, your Invisalign is tracking. Proper tracking equates to close fitting trays and even a degree of discomfort. Mild pain is good – it’s a sign that your Invisalign is working!  

So, what causes poor Invisalign tracking?

There are several reasons why your trays may not be fitting properly and they don’t always mean your Invisalign isn’t working. Understanding the causes of ill-fitting trays can help you remedy the issues.

Trays that are too tight or too loose

Firstly, be aware that when you initially put on new aligners they will likely feel extremely tight and uncomfortable. A lot of pressure is required for Invisalign to straighten teeth by moving them into new positions, so before contacting your provider, try some pain relief tips such as:

• Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• A cold compress applied to the sore area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time
• Orthodontic wax to relieve rubbing caused by sharp edges
• Avoid eating hard foods

If the discomfort becomes intolerable, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist.

Trays that are too loose are more of a problem for your treatment. There should be no gaps between the trays and the biting edge of your teeth. Gaps indicate that your trays are either too small or too big, resulting from an inaccurate impression or the failure of your teeth to move at the predicted rate.

Naturally, it’s frustrating to realize your teeth aren’t moving as quickly as you had hoped, but you also need to consider various factors that can contribute to poor Invisalign tracking. These factors include:

Patient non-compliance

One of the most common reasons for Invisalign not tracking is failing to wear the aligners for the recommended 22 hours a day. If your trays aren’t in your mouth for the recommended time, your teeth aren’t going to move as predicted when your treatment plan was created. Failing to wear them for the allotted time can lead to problems further down the line when future sets of aligners don’t track.  

Tracking issues due to stubborn teeth

Some teeth are more stubborn than others and just don’t move as fast as your dentist had expected.  When your teeth aren’t moving and the cause is not patient non-compliance, your dentist may recommend mid-course corrections or refinements. But before doing so, they may try using Invisalign attachments to help the trays grip your teeth better and move them more effectively.

Tracking issues due to accelerated straightening

While slow moving teeth can contribute to the formation of ill-fitting aligners, surprisingly, so too can successful tooth movement. For example, if you have worn your trays for a while and they start to feel loose, it could be time to switch them out for the next set in the series. Typically, aligners are changed around every two weeks, but if your teeth have moved faster than expected, your dentist may tell you to move forward earlier. You should only do this when directed to do so.

So now you know what can cause Invisalign not to track, what should you do?

How to fix Invisalign tracking issues

First of all, don’t panic! There are several ways you can get your smile journey back on track.

Wear your aligners as directed – Try and keep a better track of how long you’ve been wearing your aligners. Remember you should wear them for 22 hours a day. It’s easy to lose track of time when you remove your aligners to eat, drink or brush and floss your teeth. Consider using an app like TrayMinder to help you stay on track with aligner wear.

Use Invisalign chewies -Chewing exercises can also help relieve Invisalign discomfort by helping seat your aligners correctly. Biting down on chewies for a few minutes each day can help improve their fit.

Consider backtracking – In extreme cases you may need to backtrack to a previous set of aligners. This can happen when you’ve had extreme pain or difficulty wearing a new set of aligners and could indicate that your teeth need a bit more time in the old set of trays to move to their new positions. Before you backtrack, it’s always best to seek guidance from your dentist.

Final thoughts – Stay on track for your perfect smile

Invisalign is an amazing orthodontic solution, but proper tracking is key to achieving the best results. By staying consistent with your wear time, using chewies, and keeping up with dental checkups, you can ensure your smile transformation stays on schedule.

If you’re experiencing tracking issues or have questions about your Invisalign treatment, Chesterfield Dentistry is here to help! Our expert team specializes in Invisalign and can provide personalized guidance to keep your treatment on the right path. Call us today at 314-936-3621 to schedule a consultation or use our online booking service.