For Invisalign treatment to be successful, you should wear your aligners for 20 – 22 hours each day (closer to 22 hours is better). That might seem difficult — after all, 22 hours is more than 90% of the time you have each day! However, you can keep up with Invisalign wear time if you take some simple steps and get into a good routine. Let’s talk about why compliance is so important and what you can do to keep your aligners in your mouth as much as possible.
Why the 22-Hour Compliance Rule Matters
Invisalign works by applying gentle, consistent pressure to the teeth. Gradually, the pressure creates micromovements that shift your teeth closer and closer to their ideal positions. When you remove an aligner from your mouth, that pressure stops. If you keep your aligners out of your mouth for too long, you might find that switching to a new aligner is difficult and uncomfortable because the previous one didn’t have a chance to do its job. You could end up causing delays in your overall treatment timeline.
How To Meet the 22-Hour a Day Requirement
Here are some Invisalign tips to help you keep up with your wear time:
- Time your meals. If you generally eat a quick breakfast, try to have your aligners out for no more than 15 minutes. Allow 30 minutes for lunch and 60 minutes for dinner. A 60-minute break gives you time to linger over your meal and even enjoy dessert, as well as allows you to complete a thorough nightly oral hygiene regimen.
- Eat enough calories. Snacking throughout the day will cut into your time with Invisalign. Try to plan your meals with the goal of eating enough that you will not feel the need to snack. Including adequate amounts of protein and healthy fats can help you stay satiated.
- Use an app. The TrayMinder app was created by an orthodontist to remind patients to wear their aligners. It is available on both Android and iOS.
- Multi-task. While your aligners are out of your mouth during dinner, soak them in a cleaning solution.
- Be quick about oral hygiene. You should clean your teeth as soon as you finish a meal. Rinse your aligners and put them back in your mouth.
- Switch to a new aligner before bed. Switching to a new aligner at night allows you to sleep through the initial part of the adjustment period, which can prevent you from wanting to remove the aligner.
It might seem like a challenge to wear Invisalign for 22 hours a day, but once you get into some good habits, it should be a normal part of your routine.
Meet the Dentists
Dr. Erin Page is the dental experts at Capital Smiles. She has many years of experience. Invisalign is one of several advanced treatments that she offer. To learn more about her or to ask questions about how you can achieve straighter teeth, contact our office at 518-374-0317.