Your aligners are homebodies. They should really have only two homes:
their case and your mouth. Don’t throw them in your pocket or leave them on the bathroom sink. They’re invisible so they may end up getting stepped on or thrown away.
That’s nothing to grin about.
Made with precision, science and your unique smile in mind, our aligners are made from quality, durable materials to ensure they keep up with your lifestyle!
It can be a tough gig to ‘activate’ your aligners and ensure they are seated properly. That’s why we have provided ‘chewies’ to help you lock in those aligners to begin with.
Use your Outie Tool to help you take your aligners out. Use one hook to pull lower aligners up and off teeth. Use the other hook to pull upper aligners down and off teeth. Never pull outward with the Outie Tool, it will damage your aligners.
Here are some tips to ensure proper use and avoid damaging your aligners.
Always remember to:
Make sure you have the proper aligner; the upper for your top teeth and the lower for your bottom teeth. You may insert either the upper or lower aligner first. When inserting each aligner, gently push the aligners over your front teeth first. Then apply equal pressure using your fingertips to the tops of your left and right molars (back teeth) until the aligner snaps into place. Do not bite your aligners into position. This may damage them. Always use a ‘chewie’ tool and chew it for up to 5 minutes when recently changing into a new aligner.
On one side of your mouth, use your fingertip on the inside of your back molar to slowly pull the aligner from your molars. Repeat this process on the other side of your mouth before trying to completely remove the aligner. Once aligner is disengaged from the molars on both sides of your mouth, you should be able to slowly work your way forward gently prying the aligner away from your teeth with your fingertips. For very tight aligners use the included Outie Tool to gently pull on the aligner from the back to the front. Don’t pull on the same spot all the time to avoid damaging the aligners.
Clean your aligners prior to each insertion. Use a soft bristle toothbrush with water and a small amount of toothpaste. Do not use denture cleaners to clean aligners. Do not soak them in mouthwash. These products can damage the surface of the aligner, causing it to become dull and more visible.1
We recommend that you store your aligners in your Zinc Pod when they are not in your mouth. This will protect them from loss and damage.
1 Note: Be sure to rinse each aligner thoroughly with water after each cleaning.
Yes, you can remove your Zinc aligners for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. You can take them off for special occasions, like parties, job interviews or for weddings. Just remember to wear them for over 20 hours a day to get the best results.
None! Zinc clear aligners are removable, so there are no extra restrictions on your diet at all. With traditional wires and braces, there are a long list of foods you cannot indulge in because they can damage or get stuck in your braces.
As your Zinc aligners progressively move your teeth into the desired position, your bone and gums are remodelling and re-forming around each tooth as it moves. This can sometimes cause the front teeth to feel slightly more mobile than usual. But don’t worry, the slight increase in mobility is only temporary and will resolve at the end of your treatment. However, if your teeth have always felt loose or uncomfortable, it is important to check with your dentist before treatment as you may have underlying gum problems which will affect your treatment.
We don’t recommend smoking while wearing Zinc aligners because it can stain them along with your teeth.
No, gum will stick to your Zinc aligners. We recommend removing your aligners for all meals and snacks, including gum.
It is very unlikely that your aligners would ever fall out, no matter what you are doing. Zinc clear aligners are designed to fit extra snugly around your teeth. As the treatment progresses, the aligner will become easier to remove as your teeth move to conform to the aligner. However, they should never feel loose enough to remove without help from your fingers. If your aligners don’t feel like they fit or are feeling very loose, it may be damaged or the wrong aligner. Please contact our customer service team for advice.
That depends on how long you’ve gone without wearing your Zinc aligners. If it’s only been a short time, your aligners should still fit, but they might feel more tight and uncomfortable. If it’s been a longer time, talk to your dentist about your situation. You may need to backtrack to an earlier aligner. This is why we recommend keeping all your old aligners until the end of treatment.
Yes. Coloured foods like beetroot, berries, tomato or curry sauces can leave a permanent stain on the aligners. That’s why it’s important to brush after every meal, before placing your Zinc aligners back in your mouth. This will also prevent decay from forming in between your teeth. If in a pinch, rinse your mouth out with water before placing your aligners back in. Luckily the aligners are only used for a couple of weeks, so you’ll have crystal clear aligners each time you change over to a new set.
Yes. It is very important to always ensure your aligners are clean and hygienic before placing them in your mouth. Please do not use hot water at any time on your aligners as it could permanently damage them.
If you lose or break a Zinc aligner, contact your dentist. Your dentist will work with you to ensure you stay on-track with your treatment plan, which may involve wearing a previous set of aligners, your next set of aligners, or ordering replacements aligners.
Most dentists recommend that anyone who has completed orthodontic treatment, whether with braces or clear aligner treatment, use a retainer long term to prevent teeth from gradually shifting back towards their initial position. This is because our teeth and jaws are dynamic – they are always growing and changing no matter how old we are. Our teeth also have memory, so they have a natural tendency to “rebound” and move back to their original positions. Wearing retainers will prevent this from happening. As long as you wear your retainers, your smile will remain straight and beautiful.
Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how often you need to wear your retainers. Typically, you wear your first set full time for as long as your treatment duration, then you may gradually reduce how much you wear them until you only wear them at night.
If you lose or break your last set of retainers, or simply run out, contact your dentist.
Please contact your dentist.