Invisalign is one of the most sought-after treatments in the cosmetic dentistry industry. Every year, patients come into our office to achieve their best smile - and Invisalign helps. Clinical effectiveness is undeniable and verified in study after study.
However, Invisalign is different from braces in that you can take aligners out daily.
We’re going to explore how long you need to wear your aligners each day and how much time it takes to correct many of the tooth-related issues that it corrects: i.e. crooked or crowded teeth.
How Long Do I Need to Wear Invisalign Each Day?
Invisalign braces work wonders on teeth, but you need to be consistent with your wear time for them to provide the best results. Ideally, you’ll wear your aligners 22 hours per day. If you cannot wear them for this length of time, it may not be a good treatment option for you and your teeth.
Daily, continual wear will help you:
- Close tooth gaps
- Stop crowding
- Straighten teeth
Depending on the extent of each tooth condition, you may need to wear your aligners for a few months to well over a year.
The following are basic timeframes for how long you’ll need to wear an aligner to see satisfactory results.
Time to Close Gaps
Gaps in your teeth can cause you to stop smiling. It’s difficult to smile brightly when you know that your smile is less than perfect. The good news is that if you have a small gap in your teeth, Invisalign may close the gap in as little as three to six months.
How long does it take for a large gap?
Most dentists recommended Invisalign for gaps that are as wide as 6mm. If you have a substantial tooth gap of this width, you can expect it to take somewhere in the vicinity of 12 months for the gap to close.
When you come into our office, we’ll discuss the results that you can expect from your Invisalign and the general timeframe that we expect for your gap to close.
Time to Help Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth occur when your teeth move out of alignment and can lead to crooked teeth if the condition isn’t taken care of promptly. Invisalign is a great option for crowding because it can take as little as six months to correct.
Severe cases can take longer, but most patients will have straight teeth within 12 months or less.
In rare cases where the crowding is extensive, it can take 18 - 24 months for the crowding to be fixed.
Why 22 Hours is Ideal
Invisalign recommends 20 - 22 hours of wear per day, and many dental professionals agree that 22 hours of wear time works best for their patients.
Understanding the balance between osteoclast and osteoblast activity is critical for predicting and controlling the outcomes of orthodontic treatment, ensuring efficient and healthy tooth movement.
Osteoclasts
- Function: Osteoclasts are cells that break down bone tissue. This process is known as bone resorption.
- Role in Orthodontic Movement: When a force is applied to a tooth, it creates pressure on one side of the periodontal ligament and tension on the other side. On the pressure side, osteoclasts are recruited to resorb bone, allowing the tooth to move into the new position. This bone resorption is crucial for creating space for the tooth to move.
Osteoblasts
- Function: Osteoblasts are cells that build new bone tissue. This process is known as bone formation or ossification.
- Role in Orthodontic Movement: On the tension side of the periodontal ligament, osteoblasts are activated to form new bone. This helps to stabilize the tooth in its new position and maintain the integrity of the alveolar bone.
Interaction and Balance
The balance between the activities of osteoclasts and osteoblasts is essential for effective orthodontic movement:
- Pressure Side: Osteoclasts resorb bone to make way for the tooth to move.
- Tension Side: Osteoblasts form new bone to support the tooth in its new position.
Mechanobiology of Tooth Movement
The constant pressure from the aligner on your teeth will help them move into the desired position. It took years for your teeth to move out of place or crowd, so it will take a commitment to correct your smile.
What Happens If You Don’t Wear Your Aligner Long Enough Each Day?
If you don’t wear your aligner for the recommended duration each day you will not get predicatable tooth movement.
The longer you keep wearing your aligner, the faster and better results you’ll see.
Can I Take My Aligners Out?
Yes. One of the main reasons that patients prefer Invisalign to braces is that you have the freedom to take the aligner out of your mouth when you need to remove it. For example, you can remove the aligner if you need to:
- Brush your teeth
- Floss
- Eat or drink
Removing the aligner will allow you to clean in between your teeth and also eat with greater comfort compared to a treatment option like braces.
Age and Invisalign Treatment Time
It’s a common misconception that the treatment time for Invisalign is longer for mature users. The great thing about Invisalign is that it doesn’t matter how old you are - your treatment time will generally be the same.
Other factors will affect treatment length, but age isn’t one of them. Your bone structure, genetics and composition will have a more significant impact on how long it takes to straighten your smile.
Caring for Your Invisalign
Invisalign can be an effective way to straighten a smile, correct bite issues and more. But it’s important to care for your aligners properly if you want to achieve the best results for your smile.
Here are some tips:
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
H202 can help kill bacteria, prevent staining and reduce odors. Simply add the crystals to a glass of water and submerge your aligners.
Let your aligners soak for about 30-40 minutes before brushing and rinsing them.
Brush Your Aligners Regularly
To keep your natural teeth clean and healthy, make sure that you’re also brushing your aligners regularly. Brushing will help remove plaque and bacteria.
Use a gentle brush and water to help clean your aligners.
Store Your Aligners Properly
To protect your aligners, make sure that you’re storing them in their case. Leaving them out in the open makes them more vulnerable to accidental damage and encourages bacteria growth.
Even if you’re only taking your aligners out for a few minutes to eat or drink, get into the habit of always putting them in their case.
Don’t Use Mouthwash or Hot Water on Your Aligners
Rinsing your aligners in extremely hot water can damage them. Although they are made of hard and durable plastic, heat can soften the material and actually warp your aligners.
It’s okay to rinse them with warm water, but avoid using very hot water.
Additionally, it’s important not to use mouthwash with your aligners. Colored mouthwash can stain your trays, and most mouthwashes contain abrasive chemicals that can damage the material.
Remove Your Aligners Carefully
Although Invisalign aligners are strong and durable, they aren’t invulnerable to damage. Be gentle and careful whenever you remove your trays, especially when you’re just starting your treatment.
If you’re having difficulty removing your aligners gently, try starting at the back of the mouth and carefully lifting the tray off of your molars. Then, you can gradually work your way toward the front of your mouth.
Some patients struggle with finding the best method for removing their aligners - and that’s okay! We can provide some recommendations and help to make this process much easier.
An aligner hook, for example, may be a great option if you’re having trouble removing your aligners properly.
Don’t Do These Things or You May Ruin Your Invisalign Aligners
It’s important to care for your Invisalign aligners properly. We’ve shared tips on what you should be doing, but what about the things you shouldn’t be doing?
Here are some things to avoid when wearing or caring for your aligners.
Don’t Clean Your Trays with Toothpaste
Toothpaste is designed to clean your teeth - not your Invisalign trays. In fact, toothpaste can actually damage your aligners and cause discoloration.
One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are virtually invisible, so discoloration will make them noticeable - and not in a good way.
Always make sure that you’re using an appropriate cleaner for your trays.
Don’t Eat with Your Trays In
Always make sure that you remove your aligners before eating. They’re not designed for chewing, and you can damage your trays if you leave them in while eating.
Eating with your aligners in will also make it easier for food particles to get stuck in between your teeth.
Always remove your trays before eating any food, even if it’s just a quick snack.
Don’t Use Colored or Scented Soaps
It’s important to keep your aligners clean, but it’s best to avoid using scented or colored soaps. Colored soaps may contain dyes that can stain your trays.
Scented soaps can also leave behind residue that tastes unpleasant.
Final Thoughts
Invisalign is an effective way to straighten your teeth and improve your smile in a discreet way. But just like metal braces, you must be committed to the process. Expect to wear these aligners for 6-12 months (maybe more).
While that may seem like a big commitment, the end result will be well worth the effort.
