Invisalign aligners can achieve fascinating results when they are seated correctly. And even though the system is made elaborately to adjust to every bite, there can still be imperfections when you switch to a new set of aligners. They may be insignificant, but these imperfections might slow down your treatment.
To improve your overall experience with the popular aligners, the company launched its Invisalign chewies. What are they and how do they work? If you want to learn everything about these mouth appliances, stick around.
What are Invisalign Chewies?
Invisalign chewies are small soft appliances, about the size of a cotton roll or pencil grip, that serve to improve your new aligner fit. The main goal is that you simply bite into them to eliminate gaps and bubbles between your teeth. They come in a small cylinder shape and are made of a plastic foam called styrene copolymer.
Chewies look a lot like the famous drumstick squishes, children’s all-time favourite candy. However, they are not edible. You should restrict their use to orthodontics; precisely - helping your aligner trays get the best grip of your teeth.
How Do Invisalign Chewies Work?
When you bite into an Invisalign chewie, it exerts pressure on your aligners and teeth, removing air bubbles that stand in the way.
What’s great about Invisalign chewies is that they are reusable multiple times before they lose elasticity. It is recommended that you rise them after each use. You can also wash them with mild soap between applications, just like you do with your aligners.
When the aligner chewie loses its shape, you should replace it with a new one for as long as your treatment with Invisalign trays continues.
Are Chewies Necessary for Invisalign Aligners?
Because Invisalign is designed to create the perfect fit for every individual patient, it’s unlikely that you need chewies all the time. It depends on whether the clear aligners fit comfortably your teeth.
If you can't seat the tray correctly in your mouth, you are not going to get good results. This is when you can use the chewies to ensure a proper fit from the first day of wear. Invisalign does offer a superior fit which means you won't find yourself biting into the chewies too often.
However, there will be situations when you will be able to benefit from them. Here are some of them:
- Before you go to bed: this will ensure that your new aligners are in their rightful places in your mouth, offering a tight grip and a perfect fit
- Putting back your invisible aligners after eating
- Changing to a new set of aligners trays
- For all those areas where the braces don’t fit perfectly as they should
Now, some people are not very fond of the idea of chewies. They usually opt for Invisalign because they don't like the discomfort and lack of esthetics that metal braces bring. However, chewies are not something you wear. You only spend a couple of minutes biting into them, and that's all.
Plus, chewing exercises have been proven to enhance the straightening journey by stimulating blood flow and tooth movement. Also, when you chew, you reduce the risk of dry mouth and bad breath. Thus, if your orthodontist recommends you use chewies with your aligner, consider their advice.
Are Chews Good for Invisalign Aligner?
Anything that helps your clear aligners stick better to your teeth is generally good and effective. Whether you use mints or chewies, your orthodontics journey will be more fruitful.
This is not to say that your treatment will not be successful if you don’t use chewies. On the contrary, it will probably work great because Invisalign aligners offer an amazing straightening system.
However, the addition of chewable appliances can help you get even better outcomes for the same amount of time, or less. This is an important step of the treatment plan.
Invisalign Chewies Pain
It is possible, as you are getting used to the chewies, that your jaw becomes sore and tight. After all, the product requires that you chew it repeatedly.
In addition to that, you will get discomfort and pain from a new orthodontics aligner, which will go away after a while. So, both can mix up.
But don’t you worry about it. All discomfort and pain will be gone for good.
Invisalign Chewies: How to Use
Using Invisalign chewies is a cinch. You don't need to get instructions from an orthodontist about that. All you have to do is bite into a soft chewie while you are wearing your aligners. Just put it between your lower and upper teeth.
As you bite down, hold that position for about 60 seconds per tooth. Repeat for each tooth, focusing on those areas with air bubbles between the teeth and the aligner trays.
Double-check for air bubbles. This is the most important step. Air bubbles are a sign that your Invisalign aligners don’t sit correctly over your teeth. If there is air, it means there is space between your teeth and the braces tray; hence, the appliance won’t be able to do a great job at straightening your teeth.
How Often Should You Use Chewies with Invisalign Treatment?
You should use the chewies twice a day to seat your aligners after eating. If your dentist advises otherwise, make sure to follow their directions.
Each patient has different bite issues, the complexity varying from mild to severe. Severely misaligned teeth usually make it harder for the aligner plastics to fit over. This is where chewies come into play.
It goes without saying, once you complete your aligner treatment and switch to a retainer case, you don't need chewies anymore.
Are There any Side Effects to Using Chewies?
There should be no side effects or contraindications to chewies, as long as you use them the right way. Keep in mind that at first, you may get tightness in your jaw because you will be chewing the chewies with your orthodontic aligners on, which creates more pressure on your teeth and gums. This should resolve on its own after a few days.
Overusing the chewie product could lead to soreness and discomfort throughout your Invisalign journey. Not to mention, in some cases, it may lead to inflammation. If you experience any of that, it's an indication that you should chew less. Talk to your orthodontist about it.
Invisalign Chewies Alternatives - What Can I Use Instead of Chewies for Invisalign?
If you don’t have aligner chewies, you can use edible mints and munchies that come in a variety of hardness options.
And if you don’t have any of these alternatives at hand, a clean paper towel will make do as well. You just have to roll it so it doesn’t exceed the diameter of your pinkie in thickness.
Next, you want to chew it the way you are supposed to do a chewie. Needless to say, you should get rid of the paper towel once you are done. Do not reuse it.
Where to Buy Invisalign Chewies
Chewies for Invisalign treatment are not difficult to find. You can even order them online. Whatever suits you.
- Dentist: You should be able to buy a pack of chewies at the dentist providing the Invisalign treatment. Many orthodontists sell new aligner seaters at their offices.
- Pharmacy: Pharmacies deliver Invisalign chewies too. Check out your local pharmacy for the product. They may offer a selection of colors and types.
- Amazon: Chewies are available on Amazon. Besides comparing prices with different retailers, you can also read reviews about the quality of the product. This will make it easier to take a pick.
- Online: Aside from Amazon, there are other online shops that sell Invisalign chewies. This is where you get the biggest abundance of types, sizes, and colors. All you have to do is go to google and begin a search.
Now, many of you also ask about the price. Invisalign chewies cost anywhere between $1.50 and $10 depending on the size of the pack. A bag of 3 chewies clocks in at $6.50 on Amazon. It's pretty affordable considering they are reusable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chewies speed up Invisalign treatment?
A chewie helps to get a better grip of the teeth. What makes Invisalign effective is the aligner trays as such. However, they work well if they fit properly onto your teeth. The aligner chewies are designed to help Invisalign wearers get a good fit so that the appliance achieves the desired results. What is more, chewing enhances tooth movement. Thus, it can be said that chewies facilitate the process but they don’t necessarily speed it up.
What happens if I don’t use chewies Invisalign?
Your orthodontic treatment with Invisalign will not be compromised if you don’t use the special chewies. However, certain areas of your bite may take longer to straighten if the trays don’t fit properly on them.
Are aligner chewies edible?
No, they aren’t. And you should never attempt to eat them. Chewies are made of styrene copolymer, a spongy material, and are designed for Invisalign users.
Can I use chewies with metal braces?
Chewies were specifically fabricated for Invisalign aligners and they are not meant to be used with traditional braces. The latter appliances are affixed to the teeth. Only an orthodontist or doctor can tighten the brackets. Patients cannot remove them by themselves.
Can patients use chewies with their aligner treatment if they have sensitive teeth?
There is no evidence to suggest that chewies are not suitable for patients with tooth sensitivity.
