You should wear your Invisalign aligners or invisible braces for 20 to 22 hours per day, taking them out only for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing your teeth and flossing.
You can also remove them briefly for special occasions, sport or playing an instrument when necessary, but they should be put back in as soon as possible.
Wearing your aligners consistently is important because they are designed to move your teeth gradually according to your individual treatment plan - and not wearing them as recommended can prolong the treatment or make it less effective when moving your teeth.
Bass Orthodontics offers invisible braces in Harley Street to help you achieve beautiful straight teeth, at any age. For more information, email us at reception@bassorthodontics.com or call us on 0207 580 8780
You should remove your aligners when eating and when drinking anything other than cool water. This helps prevent food and drink from becoming trapped against your teeth and can also help prevent staining or damage to the aligners.
One of the main advantages of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Unlike fixed braces, you do not have to avoid certain foods because you can simply take your trays out before eating.
You should also take your trays out when brushing and flossing. Good oral hygiene is particularly important during Invisalign treatment, as putting your aligners back over unclean teeth can trap bacteria and food particles.
It is fine to remove your aligners for a special occasion, such as a wedding or important event, but try to keep this time as short as possible. Invisalign recommends wearing them for 20 to 22 hours every day for the best results.
For many patients, Invisalign treatment takes around 12 to 18 months. However, some mild cases may be completed in as little as 3 to 6 months.
The length of Invisalign treatment depends on how much your teeth need to move and the complexity of your case. Your dentist or orthodontist will create an individual treatment plan and give you an estimated timeframe.
You will normally wear a series of different aligners throughout your treatment. Each set makes small adjustments to the position of your teeth before you move on to the next set.
Your orthodontist will monitor your progress during regular appointments. Invisalign says appointments are commonly scheduled every four to six weeks, although this can vary depending on your treatment plan and dentist.
If you regularly wear your aligners for fewer than 20 hours a day, your treatment may not progress as planned or your teeth may move back, known as relapsing. Invisalign or invisible braces works by applying gentle, consistent pressure to your teeth, so the aligners need to be in place for most of the day.
Taking your aligners out occasionally is unlikely to cause a major problem, but regularly leaving them out for long periods can affect how well they fit and may delay your treatment.
You may also find that your next set of aligners feels tighter than expected or does not fit properly. If this happens, speak to your dentist or orthodontist rather than simply moving on to the next set.
The good news is that staying on track is usually straightforward. Keeping your aligner case with you can make it easier to store your trays safely whenever you take them out.
Yes. You should sleep with your Invisalign aligners in. In fact, wearing them overnight is an important part of reaching the recommended 20 to 22 hours of wear each day.
Your aligners are designed to be worn for long periods, including while you sleep. You should remove them when you wake up for your normal brushing and cleaning routine.
You can drink cool water while wearing your aligners. For other drinks, it is generally recommended that you remove them first.
Drinks such as tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and fruit juice can stain the aligners or expose your teeth to sugar and acids while the trays are in place.
Once you have finished eating or drinking, clean your teeth where possible and put your aligners back in.
The key thing with undergoing invisible braces is consistency. Aim to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day, removing them mainly for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
Your dentist or orthodontist may give you slightly different instructions based on your individual treatment. Following their advice and attending your check-ups will give your treatment the best chance of staying on schedule.
For more information, read about Invisalign braces in Harley Street offered by Bass Orthodontics.
