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

You don't have to wear your Invisalign clear aligners all of the time because they are removable. Join our Winnipeg dentists for advice 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 make it almost impossible to tell you're wearing them. A casual observer would be hard-pressed to see them on your teeth, and since they are also removable, you don't have to be afraid to smile during your treatment. 

While it may be tempting to take out your aligners more frequently than necessary, our Winnipeg dentists 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 less you wear your aligners, the longer it will take to complete your Invisalign treatment.

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

Daily Treatment Time

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

Depending on the specifics of your case, you may receive as few as 12 or as many as 48 aligners. 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 Happens 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 take it for granted and overdo it.

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.

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