Can Aligners Go Wrong? Potential Problems With Dental Aligners (And How To Prevent Them)

Dental aligner treatment generally works well for most people, but there are some risks of complications and issues – especially if you don't follow all the instructions provided carefully.

Of all your orthodontic treatment options, they're still one of the best in terms of safety, and while they might not be as effective for severe cases of misaligned teeth as traditional braces or other options, they work very well for a large number of people as long as you're careful.

In this guide, we'll run through the potential issues you might encounter when using clear aligners and what you can do to avoid some of them.

Gum Recession

Gum recession is often a problem that's linked to clear aligner treatment or anyone using Invisalign trays, but it's not that aligners are a direct cause of receding gums. Gum recession is not typically caused by excessive pressure from aligners but instead is due to poor gum health, which can be worsened if you aren't maintaining good oral hygiene while undergoing aligner or Invisalign treatment.

You'll notice it more because you'll see how the aligners don't quite cover the gum tissue in the same way – but recession is something linked to periodontal disease and not a result of wearing aligners. You need to make sure you're brushing your teeth properly, flossing and using mouth wash around using your aligners. Aligners can trap bacteria and sugars and that can further any issues you already have with poor oral hygiene.

Gum Disease

Clear aligners can also be linked to gum disease, and you might see bleeding gums when you're using them, but again this is not a direct result of wearing aligners. It's another side effect of bad oral health, which can be common when anyone is undergoing aligner treatment because people often rush the job of cleaning their teeth between wearing aligner sets, and end up not doing a good enough job.

Excellent oral hygiene is essential – give your teeth a deep cleaning at the same times that you normally would, especially if eating acidic foods or sugary items. Proper care of your teeth and gums is vital when you're then placing something on them for extended periods of time, trapping harmful materials against them.

Make sure you also follow your provider's instructions for cleaning the aligners themselves. A soft bristled toothbrush may be required but that's more common for retainers – it may just be that you need to rinse them effectively.

Poor Treatment Effectiveness

Aligners can sometimes go wrong just by not working as they're supposed to. If you don't notice the effects of a straighter smile over time, then it might be that they just aren't doing enough for you. Aligners should exert pressure on your teeth to gently move them into a new position, without causing pain or damaging tooth roots. They're more gentle than traditional metal braces but that doesn't mean they shouldn't work.

The first steps are to make sure you're wearing your aligners correctly – are you wearing the correct set? Are you changing them at the right time, and wearing them for the required amount of time (both the number of hours per day, and the number of days per set).

If you are, and it's not working, it could be an issue with your initial consultation or with the aligner quality.

Pain & Discomfort

Clear aligners are one of the less uncomfortable forms of orthodontic treatment you can undergo. They do apply pressure to your teeth, but not so much that they should outright hurt. A gentle pushing sensation, that recedes over a couple of days, should be as bad as it gets.

So if you are in pain, or you notice any gum inflammation, then it's worth speaking to your treating doctor or dentist to find out what's going on. It might be a sign of other problems with your teeth or gums, or it could be that your aligners aren't the right fit for you.

Moving Teeth

Successful treatment with clear aligners will cause your teeth to move, but they should still stay strong. If you notice that your teeth are feeling loose and can move around over the course of your treatment, that's concerning and if left untreated, could result in tooth loss.

This is why many aligner providers will require open communication with you as part your the treatment process. You need to let them know of problems like this as soon as possible, whether it's just certain teeth that don't feel right or problems with your entire mouth. Early detection of loose teeth will help you to change plans or get the treatment you need to ensure you keep your smile in the best condition.

Teeth Yellowing

You might notice some yellowing of your teeth while using aligners – again, this would be a sign that you're not cleaning your teeth or aligners effectively. It'll be caused by trapped fluids or bacteria against your teeth.

Maintain good oral hygiene throughout your treatment, and see if you can use a provider that also offers whitening – this will combat any yellowing you've got not just from your aligner treatment but also from the years prior.

What To Do If You Notice Issues

If you've got any problems with your teeth or gum health while using clear aligners, here's what you need to do:

Contact Your Aligner Provider

The first step should be to speak to your aligner treatment provider to see what they suggest. They'll likely ask for a video call with you, or they might send you to see an experienced orthodontist in person to see if they can identify the cause of the problem and solve it for you.

Switch Aligners

One of the things your aligner provider might suggest is to switch your aligners. Many patients are asked to move back to the previous set of aligners for a little longer, though you might even be asked to skip a step and move onto the next set instead, depending on your particular case.

Never do this on your own, unless you lose a set of aligners. If you do, go back to wearing the previous set while you wait to get in touch with your provider to see what they recommend. Otherwise, it should only be something you do with their advice – don't skip ahead just because you feel you're ready.

See Your Dentist

Ultimately, the best person to offer you advice on aligner wear is your own dentist. They will help you to improve gum health problems, see what could be causing ill fitting aligners, and basically recommend whether the treatment is right for you.

You should, of course, be speaking to your dentist regularly anyway to make sure you're not at a higher risk of any of the potential problems on this list, but they can also steer you in the way to lead you to your desired results if there's just something you're not quite doing right.

Final Word

Aligner treatment offers a fantastic way to improve the quality of your smile and you don't need expensive Invisalign aligners to do it – many alternatives exist. But if you aren't careful with your treatment – regardless of which periodontal therapy option you choose – you could encounter some of the problems we've covered on this list.

Most of them are solvable if you're careful with looking after your teeth and your aligners, and you make sure you stay in touch with your aligner provider throughout your treatment. They'll be able to help you as soon as any potential issues begin to arise, so that your end results aren't compromised.