Clear aligners are brilliantly discreet and increasingly popular across London, but even well-planned cases can take a detour. If your teeth don’t seem to be moving on schedule, it doesn’t automatically mean your invisible braces treatment has failed. It usually means something small needs tweaking—your routine, the fit of a tray, an attachment, or the plan itself. Here’s a calm, practical guide to getting things back on track for Clear Aligners for Adults in London.
First: what “on track” usually looks like
Most adult aligner plans in the UK change trays every 7–10 days with wear time around 20–22 hours per day. Reviews are typically every 6–8 weeks (in person or via photo monitoring), and refinements (extra sets of trays to perfect the result) are common. If you’re outside those norms—or your trays suddenly stop fitting flush—don’t panic. Small course-corrections are normal.
Sense-check your wear time (honestly)
Aligners only work while they’re on your teeth. If your schedule is hectic—Central line commute, back-to-back meetings, gym classes—it’s easy to slip under 20 hours without realising. For the next week, be forensic: log every removal, set alerts after meals, and keep your case with you so trays aren’t left on a napkin in a Soho café. Most “slow progress” cases improve the moment wear time becomes consistent again.
Check the fit (tracking) of your current tray
Place the aligner and look for “air gaps”—tiny spaces between the plastic and the biting edge, especially on canines and premolars. If the tray isn’t hugging the tooth, it’s not “tracking.” Bite gently on chewies for a minute or two, two or three times a day, to seat trays fully. Chewies won’t fix everything, but they often nudge borderline trays back into position within a week.
If a gap persists after 3–5 days of perfect wear and chewies, contact your dentist/orthodontist rather than forcing the next tray.
Don’t skip attachments or IPR appointments
Attachments (little tooth-coloured bumps) give aligners grip, and IPR (slenderising enamel fractions of a millimetre) creates space. Miss either, and progress can stall or the bite can feel off. If an attachment has worn away or an IPR visit was delayed, request a catch-up appointment. Re-bonding a missing attachment can instantly improve tracking of stubborn teeth.
When to step back one tray (and when not to)
If your new tray simply won’t seat despite chewies and full-time wear, stepping back to the previous tray for 3–4 days can help your teeth “catch up.” But don’t yo-yo trays more than once without professional advice—there may be a planning issue that needs a refinement scan instead.
Refinements: not a failure—just part of adult orthodontics
Refinements are additional aligners generated after a mid-course or end-of-series scan. Most adult cases in London need at least one refinement to polish rotations, close micro-gaps, or finesse the bite. If you’re told you need a refinement, it’s not a setback; it’s how excellent results are finished. Expect a short pause for a new digital plan and another few weeks to months of trays.
Bite feels “strange”? That can be normal—temporarily
During treatment, your bite evolves. Mild, short-lived changes in how teeth meet are expected. Sudden or painful shifts, clicking jaws, or persistent one-sided biting deserve a quick review. Your clinician may add elastics, adjust attachments, or sequence movements differently to balance the occlusion sooner.
Bruxism, clenching and tiny cracks in the plan
London’s pace can dial up night-time clenching. Heavy forces can fight your aligners and slow certain movements. Let your clinician know if you wake with jaw tension or headaches; small plan modifications, bite turbos, or elastic wear may be added. Tackling stress, hydration, and sleep also helps—your teeth move best in a calm, well-rested body.
Periodontal health and aligner progress
Healthy gums are non-negotiable. Inflammation or untreated gum disease can halt movement and risk long-term stability. If your gums bleed when brushing, arrange a hygiene visit and follow the home-care advice (soft brush, interdental cleaning, fluoride toothpaste). Many “slow” cases speed up once the gum line is calm again.
Don’t change trays early “to catch up”
It’s tempting to jump ahead to feel “back on schedule,” but aligners move teeth in precise increments. Skipping or rushing makes tracking worse and risks root resorption. If you’re behind, perfect the current tray’s fit first—or ask for a review.
Expect realistic timelines (especially for rotations and extrusions)
Some movements are simply slower. Rotating canines, extruding short teeth, or correcting deep bites can take longer than minor crowding. If your case includes any of those, your plan may always have been a bit longer—refinements are usually anticipated from day one.
When to book an earlier review in London
-
You’ve worn a tray perfectly for 5–7 days and it still won’t seat on one or two teeth.
-
An attachment has vanished or cracked.
-
You’ve had a dental issue (new filling, broken cusp, gum discomfort) since your last scan.
-
Your bite has become persistently uncomfortable or you’re chewing only on one side.
-
You’ve lost a tray and improvised for more than 48 hours.
Most London clinics can fit short troubleshooting appointments, and many offer secure photo checks between visits to avoid unnecessary travel.
What your clinician might adjust
-
Attachments: adding, reshaping or replacing for more grip.
-
Elastics or auxiliaries: to guide jaw position or refine the bite.
-
IPR spacing: to relieve contact points so teeth can slide into position.
-
Pacing: switching you from 7-day to 10-day changes temporarily.
-
Refinement scan: to re-map movements based on your biology and lifestyle.
Lifestyle tweaks that quietly accelerate progress
You don’t need to upend your day to support tooth movement—just reduce friction.
Meal rhythm in the city. Batch meals and drinks so you’re not in a constant remove-rinse-reinsert loop. Coffee? Sip it within a short window, then aligners back in.
Carry a travel kit. A slim case, foldable brush, and mini mouthwash in your bag avoids skipped wear after impromptu lunches.
Hydration and protein. Tissues remodel better when you’re hydrated and eating balanced meals; it won’t replace wear time, but it supports biology.
Night-time super-compliance. Treat sleep hours as non-negotiable aligner time—this is when a big chunk of daily movement “banks.”
Cost and practicalities in London
If you need a refinement, ask whether it was included in your original fee; many London providers bundle at least one refinement. If not, clarify costs up-front and what’s covered (new scan, new set of trays, any extra reviews). For commuters, ask about virtual check-ins to cut travel time.
Red flags that do deserve urgent attention
While most issues are minor, make contact quickly if you notice: persistent ulcers that don’t settle with smoothing, swollen gums around a single tooth, severe bite shifts with pain, or cracked/warped aligners. These are rare, but they’re worth same-week review.
Keeping expectations grounded
Adult teeth can be more stubborn than teenage teeth, especially with previous dental work or long-standing crowding. “Perfect” Instagram arches are often the result of planned refinements, patient discipline, and careful finishing. Your best result comes from teamwork: you deliver consistent wear; your clinician delivers iterative planning.
Frequently asked (calm) questions
I’ve worn my aligners 22 hours a day. Why are my front teeth not straight yet?
They may be rotating, which often needs attachment tweaks and a refinement stage. You’re likely close—don’t rush trays; request a review for a targeted fix.
My tray feels tight every morning—good or bad?
Usually good. Mild tightness means the aligner is engaging the movement. Sharp pain, rocking, or a tray that sits high on the tooth needs an assessment.
Will I need fixed braces to finish?
Only a small minority do, typically for complex root-level corrections or skeletal bites. Most adults finish well with a refinement plan and auxiliaries.
Is whitening safe during treatment?
Generally best to wait until movement is complete to avoid shade mismatch. A short pre-event top-up might be fine—ask at your review.
Final word: don’t panic—pivot
Not seeing progress on the exact day you expected is common and correctable. The right response is a small pivot, not abandonment: tighten your routine, check tracking, and book a short review. With a modest tweak—an attachment here, a few extra days per tray there—your invisible braces treatment can rediscover its rhythm and deliver the result you set out for.