Without a doubt, clear aligner options like ClearCorrect are more convenient than metal braces. They don’t draw unwanted attention, interfere with meals and oral care, or disrupt your daily life. Even so, the trays provided by these treatments can be tricky to take off sometimes. Your Fresno dental practice knows that and wants to help you through the issue. To that end, here are four ways to remove your clear aligners easily, smoothly, and quickly.
Try from the Back
If your trays won’t budge from the front, try moving them from the back. This latter approach can often work wonders for removal.
Removing trays from the back is simple. To start, position your fingertip on the inside of your back molar and pull the aligner away. You should then repeat this step on the other side of your mouth, slowly working your fingertips towards the front. Continue that work until your tray is completely removed.
Dry Your Mouth a Bit
Sometimes the main issue is that your smile is too wet. So, consider drying your mouth a bit before you try removal.
As you’d expect, it can be hard to grip aligners when saliva makes them slippery. That lack of a forceful grip can then make tray removal harder than it should be. Given those facts, open your mouth for a few seconds prior to removing your aligners. You could also dry your fingertips to further ensure you have a solid grip.
Use Aligner Hooks
Are your hands just too jittery or shaky to remove trays? If so, it’d be a good idea to use aligner hooks for the removal process.
Per their name, aligner hooks are tools that “hook” under the edge of your clear trays. They’re designed to lift your appliances from your teeth with ease. (More specifically, they give you a solid grip with which to remove your aligners.) If you’d like to try some, look into brands like Pull Tools or Orthokeys.
Stay Calm & Relaxed
However you go about tray removal, you’d do well to stay calm and relaxed. You’ll have a smoother time getting your aligners off that way.
When you’re too stressed or worked up, you’re less likely to get your trays off. You might develop fidgety hands, lack the patience to take methodical steps, etc. With that said, remember to take deep breaths and proceed with a calm mind. Doing so makes removal easier, and it prevents aligner and tooth damage.
Of course, other ways exist to remove your clear aligners easily. Just talk to your dental provider to learn about them!
About the Practice
W Dental – Fresno is based in Fresno, CA. Led by the excellent Dr. Jake, our practice offers truly exceptional dentistry you can trust. We always tailor your care to your smile’s needs, whether you’re getting preventive, cosmetic, or even restorative treatment(s). Our team is also a certified provider of ClearCorrect, so we have orthodontics covered as well! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (559)-431-9104.