August 12, 2026
Key takeaways
Aligner fit is functional, not cosmetic, since trays need full contact with teeth to move them correctly.
Caspersmile Chewies are small silicone cylinders designed to help seat aligners properly.
They’re called “chewies” because you bite down gently, almost like chewing gum.
Chewing pushes out trapped air between the tray and tooth, closing gaps that weaken the aligner force.
Better-seated trays support more predictable tooth movement, keeping treatment on schedule.
New wearers, patients with attachments, and complex tooth movement benefit most from chewies.
Caspersmile Care Kit rounds out the routine with chewies, a pull tool, a carrying case, a cleaner, and a whitener.
Table of Content
Get everything you need for treatment
Caspersmile Care Kit includes chewies along with other tools that help you keep your aligners clean, protected, and easy to wear.
What are aligner chewies?
Aligner chewies are small cylindrical cushions made from medical-grade silicone. They are soft enough for daily use but firm enough to do real work. Designed to improve aligner seating, they push trays against your teeth so there's no daylight between plastic and enamel.
Using them at home takes seconds, and they're safe to use every single day of your treatment, whether you're on week one or week twelve.
Why are they called “chewies”?
The name comes from how they work. You bite down gently, almost like chewing gum, and that pressure seats the aligners properly. This gentle chewing motion helps aligners fully adapt to the contours of your teeth rather than sitting loosely on top.
Why are chewies important during clear aligner treatment?
To understand why chewies matter, it helps to first understand how clear aligner treatment works. Clear aligners need to fit closely against your teeth to deliver force accurately and guide each planned movement. Chewies help improve this fit by gently pressing the aligner against your teeth, helping eliminate air gaps and improve tray seating.
Here's how chewies support the aligner treatment process:
Improve aligner fit
Chewies process trays into place so they sit closer to the tooth surface, closing the small gaps that form right after a new tray goes in.
Reduce air gaps
Trapped air between plastic and enamel weakens the force your aligner applies. Chewing helps push that air out, restoring full contact.
Support better aligner tracking
When you use Caspersmile Chewies, it helps maintain proper tray positioning and supports smoother progression from one aligner to the next.
Help new trays feel more comfortable
Properly seated trays distribute pressure evenly, so new aligners feel less sharp and less awkward against your gums and teeth.
Encourage more predictable tooth movement
When a tray sits exactly as designed, your teeth move according to plan rather than drifting off course.
May reduce initial pressure after tray changes
The first day or two with a new tray is usually the most uncomfortable. Chewies can ease the initial pressure by helping the tray settle faster.
Want a better-fitting aligner?
Caspersmile Chewies help your trays seat properly, reduce air gaps, and support consistent aligner tracking throughout treatment.
When and how to use Caspersmile Aligner Chewies?
Using Caspersmile Aligner Chewies takes only a minute. Insert your aligners first, then gently bite on the chewie for five to ten seconds in one area before moving around your mouth.
Focus on both the front and back teeth so the trays seat properly. There's no need to bite forcefully because light, consistent pressure is enough to help the aligners fit properly.
How often should you use aligner chewies?
Most orthodontists recommend using chewies for clear aligners every time you insert your aligners, especially after meals or when switching to a new tray.
If you notice a small gap between your teeth and the aligner, spending an extra minute with the chewie can help improve the fit.
Consistent use is generally more effective than using them only occasionally.
Chewies are the small habit with a big payoff
Caspersmile Orthodontic Chewies are a small, low-effort addition to your daily routine, but their effect on teeth straightening outcomes is anything but small.
They help your trays fit the way they were designed to, they ease discomfort after tray changes, and they support the kind of consistent tracking that keeps aligners working on schedule. Pair them with the rest of the Caspersmile Care Kit, and you've got a simple system that protects your progress every single day.
Frequently asked questions
Citations
Sabbagh, Hisham, et al. “Objective Assessment of Wear Time During Orthodontic Aligner Therapy Using Microsensors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, vol. 169, no. 3, Jan. 2026, pp. 272–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2025.10.008.
Levrini, Luca, et al. “Chewing Efficiency Test in Subjects With Clear Aligners.” Dentistry Journal, vol. 11, no. 3, Mar. 2023, p. 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj11030068.
Seladi-Schulman, Jill, PhD. “What Is the Purpose of Chewies When Using Invisalign?” Healthline, 20 Apr. 2021, www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/invisalign-chewies#how-they-work.
McCray, Julie Fahl, et al. “Accuracy of Dentalmonitoring's Artificial Intelligence in Detecting Aligner Tracking Issues: A Retrospective Multi-centric Study.” BMC Oral Health, vol. 26, no. 1, Jan. 2026, p. 239. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-07580-0.
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