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 remove your aligners more frequently than necessary, our Ottawa dentists are here to explain why you should wear your aligners 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.
Despite the fact that the aligners are removable, it is critical not to abuse this privilege. Leaving your Invisalign aligners out for an extended period of time will impede your treatment progress. The fewer aligners you wear, 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
Wearing Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day is recommended. Regardless of the length of your treatment, you should keep them in your mouth as much as possible every day to achieve 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 be given 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 about two weeks. The general idea is that you will wear it until your teeth have progressed 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 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.
To achieve a straighter smile, make sure to carefully follow your dentist's instructions and attend your regular checkups.