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 orthodontists at Village Orthodontics - Guelph 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 take out your aligners more frequently than necessary, our orthodontists at Village Orthodontics - Guelph are here to explain why you should wear them consistently.

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's important not to take advantage of the opportunity. If you leave your Invisalign aligners out for too long, it will slow down your treatment. The longer your Invisalign treatment takes, the less 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

Wear your Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. To get the best results, keep them in your mouth as much as possible every day, regardless of how long your treatment lasts.

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'll get a set of aligners, which could be as few as 12 or as many as 48. In most cases, each aligner will be worn for two weeks. The general idea is that you'll wear it until you're ready to move on to the next stage of treatment for your teeth.

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.

Your treatment won't progress unless you wear your aligners on a regular basis, so make sure you follow your dentist's instructions and go to your regular checkups to get a straighter smile.

For more information about the length of Invisalign treatments, contact Village Orthodontics - Guelph today! Or find a Village Orthodontics near you.