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

Invisalign clear aligners are removable so you aren't required to wear them all the time. Here, our dentists share some information on how long you should 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 first glance a casual observer would be hard-pressed to tell you were sporting a dental treatment that may help your smile for years to come. They are also removable, so you don't have to be afraid to smile during your treatment.

While you might be tempted to take out your aligners more often than you should, our Nepean dentists are here to tell you why you need to be consistent with wearing your aligners.

Total Treatment Time

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

Even though the aligners are removable, it’s critical not to take advantage of it at every opportunity. 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 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 - 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 Will Happen If You Don't Wear Your Aligners

While the ability 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.