As the demand for clear aligner therapy continues to rise, so too does the need for optimised treatment protocols that ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. At alignerservice.com, we partner with dentists to support every aspect of clear aligner treatments—from orthodontic diagnostics to treatment planning, troubleshooting, and clinical handling. One of the simplest yet most effective tools we often recommend in the clear aligner journey is the use of "chewies." These small, easily overlooked accessories can significantly enhance treatment efficacy, ensuring that your patients achieve their desired results more quickly and comfortably.
What Are Chewies?
Chewies are small, cylindrical cushions made of a soft, spongy material, typically medical-grade silicone. They are designed to help patients seat their aligners properly by biting down on the chewies, ensuring a snug and secure fit of the aligner trays against the teeth.
Why Are Chewies Important in Clear Aligner Therapy?
For clear aligner therapy to be effective, it’s crucial that the aligners fit perfectly against the teeth. Any gaps or spaces between the aligner and the teeth can lead to suboptimal tooth movement, prolonging treatment time and compromising the final outcome. Chewies play a critical role in ensuring that aligners are properly seated, particularly during the initial phase of wearing new trays, when patients are most likely to experience discomfort or fit issues.
1. Improved Fit for Optimal Tooth Movement
Clear aligners work by applying gentle, consistent pressure to gradually move teeth into their desired positions. If the aligners aren’t fitting correctly, the pressure distribution can be uneven, leading to slower or incomplete tooth movement. By using chewies, patients can ensure that their aligners are fully seated, which helps maintain the precise force needed to guide teeth according to the treatment plan.
2. Prevention of Air Gaps
When a patient first switches to a new set of aligners, it's common to have minor air gaps between the aligner and teeth, especially around the molars. These gaps can hinder the aligner’s effectiveness, as they prevent the necessary force from being applied to the teeth. Chewies help eliminate these air gaps, allowing the aligners to fit more snugly and work more effectively.
3. Enhanced Comfort
Some patients experience discomfort when transitioning to a new aligner tray. Chewies can help alleviate this by ensuring the aligner fits more closely to the teeth, reducing the initial pressure points that can cause soreness. This not only enhances comfort but also encourages patient compliance, which is essential for successful treatment.
4. Shorter Treatment Time
When aligners fit properly from the outset, teeth can move as planned, reducing the overall treatment time. By using chewies regularly, patients may be able to shorten their treatment duration, achieving their desired results more quickly.
5. Improved Treatment Outcomes
Ultimately, the goal of clear aligner therapy is to deliver predictable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional results. By incorporating chewies into their daily routine, patients are more likely to achieve the precise tooth movements required to realize these outcomes, increasing the likelihood of treatment success.
How to Instruct Patients on Using Chewies
As a dentist, it’s important to educate your patients on the correct use of chewies to maximize their benefits. Here’s how you can guide them:
Daily Use: Advise patients to use chewies multiple times a day, especially after putting in new aligners. Biting down on the chewie for 5-10 minutes will help ensure the aligners are seated properly.
Rolling Motion: Encourage patients to move the chewie around their mouth, focusing on different areas to ensure the aligner is seated evenly over all teeth.
Check Fit: Teach patients to check for any visible air gaps between their teeth and the aligner. If gaps persist, continued use of the chewie can help the aligner settle into place.
Consistency: Stress the importance of consistent use, particularly during the first few days of a new aligner set, to help minimize discomfort and promote effective tooth movement.
Conclusion
Chewies may seem like a minor component of clear aligner therapy, but their impact on treatment success can be significant. By helping patients achieve a better fit with their aligners, chewies play a key role in ensuring the optimal movement of teeth, improving comfort, and ultimately leading to better, faster, and more predictable treatment outcomes.
At alignerservice.com, we’re committed to providing dentists with the tools, insights, and support needed to succeed with clear aligner therapy. By incorporating chewies into your patient protocols, you can help ensure that every case progresses as smoothly and efficiently as possible, bringing your patients one step closer to their perfect smile.
For more information on how alignerservice.com can support your clear aligner treatments, contact us today. Together, we can make every smile transformation a success.
Kind regards
Jesper Hatt DDS
P: +41 78 268 00 78
AlignerService
We are dentists helping dentists create realistic, safe and predictable treatment plans with clear aligners.
Currently more than1500 dental practices in 19 different countries use our service on a regular basis. We offer expert guidance in the following clear aligner systems: Invisalign, SureSmile, ClearCorrect, TrioClear, Angel Aligners and Spark.
AlignerService is a preferred partner of ClearCorrect and TrioClear.
Comments