You use an aligner Chewie by biting down on it gently but firmly with your aligners in place to help seat them correctly.
Aligner chewies are small, soft, often flavored cylinders designed to help you get the best fit from your clear aligners. When you insert new aligners or put your current ones back in after eating or drinking, sometimes they don't fully snap into place, leaving small air gaps. Using a Chewie helps eliminate these gaps and ensures the aligner is pressed firmly against your teeth.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using an Aligner Chewie
Here's how to effectively use your Chewie based on common practice and insights from the reference:
- Insert Your Aligner: Make sure your clear aligners are properly placed on your teeth as much as possible by hand.
- Place the Chewie: Take the Chewie and place it between your teeth (with the aligners on) in one section of your mouth.
- Bite Down: Bite down on the Chewie for a few seconds. You don't need excessive force, just enough to feel the aligner being pushed onto your teeth.
- Move Along Your Arch: Move the Chewie to a different section of your mouth (e.g., the next few teeth) and bite down again.
- Target Specific Areas: As mentioned in the reference, if you feel your aligner needs to sit better in a particular spot, you can specifically target that area. For instance, you might place the Chewie more "towards the back" or "towards the front" if the aligner isn't seating well there.
- Repeat: Continue this process, working your way around both the top and bottom arches of your mouth.
Aim to spend a few minutes using the Chewie each time you insert your aligners, or as recommended by your orthodontist or dentist.
Why Use Aligner Chewies?
Using chewies consistently helps ensure:
- Proper Aligner Seating: Eliminates gaps between your teeth and the aligners.
- Effective Treatment: Allows the aligners to apply the correct forces needed for tooth movement.
- Comfort: Properly seated aligners can feel more comfortable and less noticeable.
Important Considerations
While the reference doesn't detail every incorrect way to use a Chewie, it does caution, "You shouldn't wear them like that" (referring to a specific method shown in the video). Generally, chewies are for active biting and seating, not for wearing or sucking on for extended periods. Always follow specific instructions provided by your dental professional regarding the frequency and duration of Chewie use.
In Summary: Using an aligner Chewie involves biting on the soft cylinder with your aligners in to help seat them fully. Focus on moving it around your entire arch, paying special attention to areas like the "back" or "front" if they feel loose, and avoid using them in ways not intended for seating the aligner.
