As you start more Invisalign cases you and your team will begin to be asked the same questions from your patients. Below we have collated the most common issues you may encounter – and how to solve them!
1. On the first day “I can’t get my Invisalign out”
When the patient has had their first aligner fitted prepare them that the first 2-3 days or week can be challenging, but once this has passed it will get easier. This way they are not panicking when they go home and wondering if it is normal to struggle with them. Take some time to demonstrate the correct technique in placing the aligner and fully seating it, and how to remove it.
Reassure the patient that after the first couple of days the aligner will loosen up gradually and this is normal. When they put in their next aligner it will be tight again, therefore they should do this before they go to bed. This way by the next morning it is a little easier to take in and out.
2. A rough edge is sore against the soft tissues
Occasionally an aligner can have a rough edge. If this happens advise the patient to use a clean nail file along the rough edge to carefully smoothen this part only. Explain this can happen from time to time as they are manufactured by a machine. Other than this, the patient should not adjust the aligners themselves and should always seek your advice before doing so.
3. Lost or damaged aligner
Patients should be advised at the start of treatment to always keep the previous aligner to the one they are wearing in case they ever lose it. If they lose one or damage it, ask the patient to try in the next number aligner and see if it fits. If it does not, then advise them to return to wearing their last aligner and you will have to order a replacement aligner for them. This will incur a fee from Invisalign so advise the patient of this beforehand.