You don't have to wear Invisalign clear aligners all of the time because they are removable. So our Langley orthodontists explain the details on how long you should wear your aligners and why it is an essential part of your treatment.
The Invisalign system uses a series of clear aligners that are custom made to fit your teeth, they are also transparent so most people will have a hard time seeing them while you are wearing them. And you can remove them so you can continue eating the foods you love and keep brushing your teeth as normal.
Total Treatment Time
The length of your treatment with Invisalign will depend on the misalignment of your teeth. The only way you will know an exact estimate of the duration of your treatment is to visit your orthodontist.
Even though you can remove your aligners, it’s very important not to abuse the privilege. Leaving your Invisalign aligners out for too long will have a negative impact on 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 follow your orthodontist's instructions and attend regular checkups.
Time Per Day
You should wear your Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. Regardless of your treatment length, for the best results, you should keep them in your mouth as long as possible every day.
You can take your aligners out to eat, brush, and floss, but don't overdo it, and be sure to get at least 20 hours of wear time every day.
Time Per Aligner
You will get a set of aligners - as little as 12 or as many as 48. Most of the time, you will wear each aligner for approximately 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 start wearing the next aligner in your set. If not, you might have to wear the current one a little longer.