Invisalign® offers many attractive benefits for teens and adults looking to correct orthodontic issues without metal braces. But as Dr. Chad Carver, DMD, and the orthodontic team at Stellar Family Orthodontics know, there are still inconveniences that make it difficult to stick to your treatment plan. At our offices in Mill Creek and Mukilteo, Washington, we often have patients ask: What if I only wear Invisalign at night?
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that straighten teeth and treat malocclusion (bad bite) without the brackets and wires of traditional braces. These clear aligners are created with BPA-free plastic that looks translucent against your teeth.
Advantages of Invisalign
The process that Invisalign uses manufactures your transparent custom aligners with material that fits the exact shape and size of your teeth. When you’re wearing Invisalign, most people won’t be able to tell. Invisalign allows you to straighten your teeth discreetly. This is a particularly appealing feature for older teens and adults.
Another popular benefit of Invisalign? Clear aligners are removable. This is both a blessing and a curse for adults hoping to complete their treatment within the expected timeframe, which typically takes about 6-18 months.
Disadvantages of Invisalign
Without adhering to your teeth like traditional braces, Invisalign is easy to remove and forget to put back in.
You may also feel like taking a break during the initial stages of treatment. Like any other orthodontic treatment, Invisalign can be uncomfortable at first. While comfort gradually improves over time, you may be more inclined to remove clear aligners when they’re uncomfortable.
How Long You Need to Wear Invisalign
It’s important to wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours a day. We typically recommend removing Invisalign only to eat and drink anything but water. After consuming any food or beverages, you should brush and floss your teeth and clean your aligners before replacing them in your mouth.
Taking care of your aligners and wearing them for the appropriate amount of time ensures your treatment plan remains on schedule.
What Happens If You Only Wear Invisalign at Night?
While you technically can wear Invisalign only at night, in general, no orthodontist recommends it. Wearing clear aligners exclusively at night can potentially double the expected treatment time, even if your case is very mild.
Invisalign may not even produce your desired results at all if you cut treatment down to 7-10 hours a night. The treatment works by placing gradual force on your teeth. This force helps move teeth into the correct position. If you’re not wearing Invisalign all day, this force doesn’t have time to build up.
We can’t stress enough how important it is to wear your clear aligners consistently. Following the instructions that Dr. Carver provides can significantly improve your chances of successful results after treatment.
By prioritizing your treatment now, you can save yourself time and money on orthodontic treatment in the future.
Still have questions about Invisalign? Schedule a free orthodontic consultation with the team at Stellar Family Orthodontics today!