Invisalign® uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners that almost everyone will have a hard time seeing when being worn. A casual observer would be hard-pressed seeing them when they are on your teeth. They are also removable, so you don't have to worry about smiling throughout your treatment.
While you may be tempted to remove your aligners more often than you are supposed to, our Calgary dentists are here to tell you why you have to be consistent when it comes to wearing your aligners.
Total Treatment Time
The length of your Invisalign treatment will be determined by how misaligned your teeth are. The only way to know for sure how long treatment will ultimately take is to visit your dentist.
While you can remove your aligners, it’s imperative not to abuse the privilege. Keeping your Invisalign aligners out for too long will negatively affect the progress of your treatment. The less time you wear your aligners, the longer your Invisalign treatment will be
Your treatment can't progress unless you wear your aligners, so remember to carefully follow your dentist's instructions and regularly attend checkups.
Time Per Day
Invisalign aligners typically have to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day. Regardless of the length of your treatment, you must keep them in your mouth as long as possible every day to get the best possible results.
You can take your aligners out to eat, brush, and floss, but don't overdo it, and remember to get at least 22 hours of wear time daily.
Time Per Aligner
You will receive a set of aligners - as few as 12 or as many as 48. In most cases, you will wear each aligner for about two weeks. The general idea is that you'll wear it until your teeth move to the next 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 Happens When 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 can't progress unless your aligners are worn consistently, so be sure to carefully follow your dentist's instructions and attend your regular checkups to achieve a straighter smile.