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Aligner chewies are a small accessory that many clear aligner patients swear by. If you have not heard of them before, here is what they are, what they do, and whether they are worth adding to your routine.
What Are Aligner Chewies?
Aligner chewies are small cylindrical rolls, usually made from a soft foam or silicone material called Styrene Copolymer, that aligner patients bite down on while wearing their trays. They are approximately the size of a cotton roll and come in various colours and sometimes flavours. They are specifically designed to be safe to bite on with aligners in place.
How Chewies Help
When you insert a new aligner tray, there are often tiny gaps between the tray and your teeth, particularly in areas where the tooth has not yet fully moved to match the tray. These gaps mean the aligner is not making full contact with the tooth surface in those areas and therefore cannot apply force as effectively as designed.
Biting on a chewie works the aligner further onto the teeth, closing those gaps and improving contact between the tray and the tooth surface. Better contact means more even, consistent force application, which is what makes the treatment work correctly.
Chewies also help during the uncomfortable first hours of a new tray. The act of biting provides some counter-pressure that many people find reduces the sensation of tightness. Some people also find that biting on chewies helps with the initial adjustment each day.
How to Use Them
Insert your aligner tray as normal. Then place the chewie between your upper and lower teeth in one area and bite down firmly but gently, holding for a few seconds. Move it around to different areas of the mouth, covering all sections of the tray. Spend about five to ten minutes total working through the full arch.
This is most useful immediately after inserting a new tray, but some people use chewies every time they put their aligners back in after eating. They are safe to use multiple times per day.
Do You Actually Need Them?
Chewies are not always mandatory, but they are widely recommended and most aligner providers suggest them as a standard part of the care routine. They are inexpensive, reusable, and take very little time to use. The benefits of improved tray seating are real, and there is no meaningful downside to using them.
If you are someone who consistently finds that their tray does not feel fully seated, chewies are particularly helpful. They are also useful if you experience significant discomfort with new trays, as the improved seating often reduces uneven pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy aligner chewies?
Aligner chewies are widely available online and through dental suppliers. They are inexpensive and come in packs. Search for aligner chewies or orthodontic chewies online. Some clear aligner providers, including Jawology, may include them or recommend a specific type.
How often should I use chewies?
At a minimum, use chewies when you first insert a new tray. Many patients use them every time they reinsert their aligners after meals. There is no maximum number of times per day they can be used safely.
Can I reuse chewies?
Yes. Chewies are reusable. Rinse them with water after use and allow them to dry. Replace them when they become significantly compressed or lose their shape, as this reduces their effectiveness.
Are chewies the same as bite wafers?
Yes, they are essentially the same product. Chewies, bite wafers, and seating aids all describe the same type of cylindrical foam or silicone roll used to seat aligners more fully onto the teeth.
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