Aligner Care Guide: Invisalign & Angel Aligners | Elate Orthodontics
How to Care for Invisalign & Angel Aligners
Congratulations on starting your journey to a healthier, straighter smile with Invisalign or Angel Aligners! At Elate Orthodontics, we want to ensure that your aligners remain effective, clean, and comfortable throughout your treatment.
Below, you will find essential care instructions, tips on how to take care of your aligners, and what to do if you encounter any issues.
Get to know your Invisalign aligners:
Getting Started With Your Invisalign or Angel Aligners
Aligner Fabrication & Treatment Timeline
Step 1: We take X-rays, photos, and digital scans to design your custom aligners.
Step 2: Your first set of aligners is fabricated and will arrive in about 4-6 weeks.
Step 3: At your next visit, we will place tooth-colored attachments on your teeth to help guide tooth movement.
Each patient’s treatment time varies based on the complexity of their case.
Treatment Progress & Aligner Wear Guidelines
Wearing Your Aligners Correctly
For best results, wear your aligners at least 20-22 hours per day.
The single most important factor determining the success and timeline of your treatment is how many hours you wear your aligners each day. Every hour the aligners are out, the elastic fibers inside the gums and periodontal ligament (PDL) are actively pulling the teeth back toward their original position. Consistent wear is what keeps your treatment on track.
✔️ Only remove them for eating, drinking (except water), and oral hygiene.
✔️ If prescribed, wear rubber bands consistently.
Changing Aligners:
Switch to your next aligner weekly (unless otherwise instructed).
Make sure your current aligner fits snugly before switching.
Before moving to the next aligner, always check that there are no gaps between the aligner and your teeth. If there are gaps, use chewies and give the aligner extra time. This could be a few extra days or longer depending on how your teeth are responding.
How to safely remove your aligners:
Aligner Fit Check:
No visible gaps between the teeth and aligners.
If gaps exist, use aligner chewies until the aligner fits properly.
DO NOT move to the next aligner if a gap persists.
How to Use Chewies:
With your aligners in, place a chewie between your teeth and bite down and squeeze for 10-20 seconds. Repeat this across all your teeth for 5-10 minutes total. The more time you spend with the chewies, the better, especially for stubborn teeth that need more encouragement to move. If you have TMJ issues, skip the chewies and apply gentle pressure with your fingers instead.
How to use chewies with your aligners:
💡 Tip: If you have TMJ issues, avoid chewies and instead apply gentle pressure to seat the aligner correctly.
📦 Always keep all of your old aligners. Never throw them away. In some cases we may need to go back and reuse a previous aligner, so hold onto every set throughout your treatment.
Common Adjustments During Treatment
Interproximal Reduction (IPR)
In some cases, small amounts of enamel are gently reshaped (filed) to create space for teeth to move.
This process does not damage your enamel and ensures precise alignment.
Learn more about IPR by clicking here.
Managing Discomfort
Mild soreness is normal and peaks 1-2 days after starting a new aligner.
Pain usually subsides within 3-4 days.
Take Tylenol or ibuprofen if needed.
Caring for Your Invisalign or Angel Aligners
Daily Aligner Care Routine
What you CAN drink while wearing aligners: Water only!
What you CANNOT eat or drink with aligners in: Coffee, tea, soda, or any colored or sticky foods.
✅ Remove aligners before eating or drinking anything besides water.
✅ Store aligners in their protective case and never in a napkin or pocket (to prevent loss).
✅ Brush and floss after every meal before reinserting aligners.
💡 Tip: If aligners become cloudy, it is a sign of plaque buildup, which can cause cavities and staining.
How to Clean Invisalign & Angel Aligners
🦷 Best Cleaning Methods:
✔️ Brush aligners with a soft toothbrush and cool water (never hot water)
✔️ Use your favorite mouthwash for cleaning (we like the purple bottle Listerine)
✔️ For deep cleaning, soak aligners in a denture cleaner (if no sulfa allergy)
🚫 Avoid:
❌ Hot water (warps aligners)
❌ Toothpaste
🔹 Cleaning Tip: Soak aligners in cool water with a denture cleaning tablet for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly before wearing.
Handling Aligner Issues
What to Do If…
✔️ Aligner feels rough? Use a nail file or emery board to smooth sharp edges.
✔️ Aligner is lost or cracked? If you have worn it for one week, you may be able to move to the next aligner, but contact our office first.
✔️ Attachment falls off? Take a picture of the affected tooth and text it to us at 972-538-4343.
Fix rough edges using a clean nail file:
Aligners are not tracking well:
Back end of the aligner not seating all the way down:
We Are Here to Help!
If you have any questions or concerns, call or text us at 972-538-4343.
📍 Visit us at:
✨ Follow these care tips and you will be on your way to a perfect smile!