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Clear aligners can straighten mild to moderate cases of crowding, spacing, crooked teeth, and certain bite concerns without the appearance of metal brackets. These custom-made, transparent trays gradually apply controlled pressure to guide teeth into better positions, making them a discreet and convenient teeth-straightening option for eligible individuals.

Aligners stop tracking when they no longer fit snugly against your teeth the way your treatment plan intended, and it's almost always caused by wear time, tray damage, or a movement that's simply taking longer than expected. The good news is that most of these issues can be corrected without starting over. Below, you'll find the real reasons why aligners stop tracking, how to spot the early signs, and the exact steps that get treatment back on schedule.

To answer the question, “How do clear aligners affect jaw muscles?”, clear aligners can affect the jaw muscles, but usually only mildly and temporarily. As your bite gradually shifts, the muscles you use for chewing adapt to the new tooth positions. Most people feel little to nothing at all. When soreness does show up, it tends to fade within a few days. This is different from a jaw joint (TMJ) disorder, which involves the joint itself rather than the surrounding muscle tissue.