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

The success of your Invisalign treatment is reliant on your ability to follow the instructions provided by your orthodontist at Village Orthodontics. Here's some advice from our Village Orthodontics - Guelph team on how long you should keep your Invisalign Clear Aligners in each day.

One of the advantages of Invisalign's clear, removable aligners is that you don't have to wear them all of the time. 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 Village Orthodontics - Guelph dentist.

How many hours per day should I wear my Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Regardless of the predetermined length of your treatment, the Invisalign aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours each day. They must essentially stay in your mouth as long as possible for the treatment to be effective.

Invisalign Clear Aligners can be taken out temporarily for eating, brushing, and flossing. Unlike traditional braces, you should not be limited in terms of what you can eat as long as you take them off before eating.

How long do I have to wear each Invisalign Clear Aligner?

A patient should expect to wear a Invisalign Clear Aligner for about two weeks before switching to the next one. The basic idea is that you should wear each aligner until your teeth are completely comfortable and loosely contained within it.

If the shift occurs within the two-week time frame predicted, you can move on to the next aligner in your treatment plan. If you don't, you'll have to wear them for a longer period.

What happens if I don't wear my Invisalign Aligners for the recommended daily time?

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 Invisalign Clear Aligners out for an extended period will hurt the progress of your treatment. The less you wear your aligners, the longer it will take you to finish your treatment with Invisalign.

So make sure to follow your dentist's advice and stick to your resolution to improve your smile's appearance.

Discomfort is another negative side effect of not wearing your Invisalign Clear Aligners for the recommended hours.

The first few days following the installation of a new tray are the most crucial. Certain teeth will be strained, and you will be aware of this. You must keep your trays in place for at least 20-22 hours each day.

It's possible that if you don't wear your Invisalign Clear Aligners for a long time, your teeth will regress to their original positions. When you put your aligners back in, you'll experience the same discomfort as before. 

If you believe yourself ready for Invisalign Clear Aligners, or if you think you'd be a good candidate, contact our Village Orthodontics - Guelph team for a consultation. Or find a Village Orthodontics location near you.