How many hours do you have to wear Invisalign each day?

To achieve the best possible results from your clear aligners, it will be essential to follow the instructions provided by your dentist throughout your entire treatment period. Our dentists at  Southwood Dental Studio - Highbury explain how long you need to keep your Invisalign Clear Aligners in each day.

Removable Clear Aligners

One of the features our patients really like about Invisalign's clear, removable aligners is that you don't have to wear them all of the time - clear aligners can be removed to eat and clean your teeth.

Invisalign treatment might take anywhere from six months to a year, sometimes maybe even longer, depending on how badly misaligned your teeth are and how long you keep your aligners in each day. The only way to know for sure is to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

How many hours per day do I need to wear my Invisalign clear aligners?

Your Invisalign aligners should be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours every day, regardless of the predetermined length of your treatment. In order for the treatment to be successful, they must essentially remain in your mouth as long as possible.

Invisalign Clear Aligners can be temporarily removed for eating, cleaning, or flossing your teeth. Unlike traditional braces, you should not be restricted in terms of what you may eat as long as you remove them before you consume anything.

How long do I have to wear each Invisalign clear aligner?

When using Invisalign Clear Aligners to straighten your smile, you should expect to be wearing each set of aligners for approximately two weeks before switching to the next. The fundamental concept is that you'll wear each aligner until your teeth are completely comfortable and very loosely contained inside it.

Assuming that the shift occurs within the anticipated two-week time frame, you can proceed to the next aligner in your treatment regimen. If not, you'll probably have to keep them on for a longer period of time.

What happens if I don't wear my Invisalign Aligners the way I should?

While the ability to take your Invisalign Clear Aligners in and out at your leisure is one of the reasons Invisalign is so popular, it is vital not to take advantage of this opportunity.

Leaving your aligners out for extended periods of time will have a negative impact on your treatment progress. The less you wear your aligners, the longer it will probably take you to complete your Invisalign treatment.

So make sure to follow your dentist's recommendations, and keep up with your commitment to using your clear aligners correctly in order to straighten your smile.

Another negative side-effect of not wearing your Invisalign Clear Aligners for the prescribed hours is discomfort. The first several days following the placement of a new tray are the most essential of all. Certain teeth will be under strain, and you will feel it. It is essential that your trays remain in place for at least 20-22 hours every day.

Not wearing your Invisalign Clear Aligners for an extended period of time makes it possible that your teeth will somewhat regress back to their original positions. Then when you put your aligners back in, you'll feel that original discomfort all over again.