Do I Need To Wear My Invisalign Aligners All The Time?

Invisalign clear aligners are removable so you don't have to wear them all the time. Here, our dentists share some information on how long to wear them each day, and why it's so important for your overall treatment. 

Invisalign^® uses a series of clear, custom aligners that almost no one can tell you’re wearing. A casual observer would be hard-pressed to see them on your teeth. They are also removable, so you don't have to be afraid to smile during your treatment. 

While you may be tempted to remove your aligners more frequently than necessary, our Parksville dentists will explain why you must be consistent with wearing them.

Total Treatment Time

The duration of your Invisalign treatment will depend on how misaligned your teeth are. The only way to know for sure how long treatment will ultimately take is to visit your dentist.

Even though the aligners are removable, it is essential not to abuse the opportunity. If you leave your Invisalign aligners out for too long, your treatment progress will suffer. Your Invisalign treatment will take longer the less frequently you wear your aligners.

Your treatment can't progress unless you wear your aligners, so be sure to follow your dentist's instructions and attend regular checkups.

Time Per Day

Invisalign aligners should be worn between 20 to 22 hours per day. Regardless of your treatment length, you should keep them in your mouth as much as possible daily to see the best results. 

You can remove the aligners when eating, brushing, and flossing, but try not to overdo it and be sure to get at least 22 hours of daily wearing time in. 

Time Per Aligner

You will receive a set of aligners containing between 12 and 48 pieces. In most cases, each aligner will be worn for approximately two weeks. The general expectation is that you will wear it until your teeth progress to the subsequent stage of treatment.

If your treatment has progressed in the two-week time frame, you can begin wearing the next aligner in your set. If not, you may need to wear the current one a bit longer.

What Will Happen If You Don't Wear Your Aligners

While the freedom to take your aligners in and out is one of the reasons Invisalign is so popular, it’s important not to abuse the privilege.

Leaving your Invisalign aligners out for too long will impact your treatment progress. The less you wear your aligners, the longer your Invisalign treatment will take.

In order to achieve a straighter smile, it is imperative that you adhere to your dentist's instructions and wear your aligners consistently.

For more information about the length of Invisalign treatments, contact our Parksville dentists today!