If you’ve just started your Invisalign treatment, congratulations! A straighter and healthier smile is on the horizon for you—that is, assuming you wear your aligners often! Even though Invisalign can effectively treat your crooked and compromised smile, the process is entirely dependent on your willingness to wear your aligners for 22 hours every day. But why is this 22-hour rule so important, and how can you ensure that you meet your mandatory wear time? Keep reading to learn more!
Why Do I Need to Wear My Aligners For 22 Hours Every Day?
The 22-hour rule isn’t arbitrary; there’s a very important reason for it! Your custom-made trays will slowly and gradually shift your teeth into a more natural and correct position. These micro-movements are spread out over months to help minimize the amount of discomfort that you’ll feel. Each set of trays is worn for a predetermined amount of time (usually around two weeks).
When you swap to a new set of trays, the newer ones will be straighter than the previous ones to match your teeth’s progress. Wearing your trays for 22 hours a day is the only way to ensure that your teeth are making proper progress; be diligent and consistent!
Tips For Meeting the Mandatory Wear Time
Even though Invisalign is meant to be a subtle and convenient treatment option, many patients still encounter difficulty wearing their trays for the required amount of time each day. To avoid complications and ensure your treatment’s success, consider the following:
- Remove your aligners for a set amount of time each day – Aim to take your aligners out for around 15 minutes at breakfast time, 30 minutes at lunch, and about an hour at suppertime. This should give you plenty of time to eat, brush your teeth, and clean your aligners.
- Advance to your next set of trays before bed – When it’s time to switch to a new set of aligners, do it before bedtime. This will allow you to sleep through the initial discomfort of wearing new trays.
- Multi-task while wearing your aligners – If your trays aren’t in your mouth, consider washing them in an appropriate cleaning solution while you eat to save yourself time.
- Establish and maintain an oral hygiene routine – Brushing and flossing after every meal is extra important throughout your treatment, so practice regular oral hygiene if you don’t already.
- Use technology to assist you – Apps like Tray Minder or simply setting a timer can help you keep track of your wear time throughout the day.
It might seem impossible to wear your aligners for 22 hours every day, but that’s not the case! Knowing what’s at stake and establishing good habits can go a long way towards ensuring that your results are satisfactory. Follow these tips to help your Invisalign trays do their job and provide you with a beautiful, straighter smile.
About the Practice
Salmon Brook Dental proudly serves patients and families in the Granby community under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Endres and Dr. Gunveen Chawla! Both Dr. Endres and Dr. Chawla have several collective years of experience and expertise in a wide variety of fields, and their practice offers many available services including Invisalign! If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule a visit, feel free to contact the practice online or by telephone: (860) 653-4551.