Why is there a presence of discomfort in the bite after Invisalign treatment?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 18 years old and have recently completed Invisalign in person with a trained orthodontist and have been wearing my retainer for just under a week. I have two problems which are concerning me. They are fine to wear for long periods of time, but when I remove them, my bite feels off. I can chew and eat fine, but when I put my teeth together and when my right canine and first premolar make contact, they feel uncomfortable and slightly out of line.

It is also harder for my molars to comfortably sit because it seems my lower teeth are drawn forwards closer to my central incisors. Before the retainer, my teeth would sit comfortably on the back teeth.

However, I do not think I have a malocclusion. This is merely cosmetic, but the two upper incisors on my retainer were not 100 % straight when scanned because I had my top permanent wire removed (I have a deep bite), and in the time between the removal and scan, they shifted.

So my current retainer keeps my teeth in a slightly non-straight way, but I would like them completely straight. I do not know if it is possible for them to make it straight using software and print a new retainer.

Should I make an appointment?
What advice do you have?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I hope you are doing well.

Before I answer your queries, I would like to know a few things.

When was the scan for retainers done?
During the last aligner set or after the last set protocol was over?
Did you keep wearing the last aligners till your retainers were given to you?
When was the permanent retainer fixed onto your teeth?

Regarding query 1, it seems like there was a shift in the bite when the scan was taken and how you bite naturally. You might have bit in a slight front position during the scan, and this causes the teeth to move forward with the retainer. The retainer does not allow your teeth to sit in a natural position, which in turn causes canine and premolar to contact uncomfortably.

Regarding query 2, your upper two incisors were shifted and the scan registered in the other position. Retainers are only meant to hold teeth the way they are and would not shift them to a new position. It will just prevent this. You can ask your doctor to send a request to Invisalign (aligners) for the replacement of retainers for a new set of retainers.

A new scan will be taken, and retainers will be made accordingly. Make sure you bite naturally so that retainers are fitting accordingly. Depending on the Invisalign plan your case was and how long the case has been already, you can ask for an additional set of aligners that will straighten your teeth, and then retainers will be fabricated.

Mostly, additional aligners and replacement retainers are not charged. I advise getting an appointment and getting details for replacement retainers and additional aligners. Get the teeth straight before going for retainers.

I hope it helps.

Regards.