Do Invisalign® Aligners Have to be Worn 24/7?

By: Dr. Joanna Claustro

10/29/2022

If you have recently gotten Invisalign® aligners, you might wonder how many hours per day you need to wear them to correct your teeth. For the most predictable and long-lasting outcome, you should wear your Invisalign aligners for a minimum of 20 to 22 hours per day. You should only take your aligners out when you eat and when you brush and floss your teeth. It is ok to drink with the aligners in place -- just be sure to rinse well with water after drinking anything sugary or acidic like coffee or wine. If your aligners are out of your mouth for more than 40 minutes at a time, then there won’t be enough continuous force to move the teeth effectively into an ideal smile.

Dr. Joanna Claustro with Joanna Claustro DMD & Associates will meet with you in Ashburn, VA to discuss Invisalign aligners and how they can give you the beautiful smile you have been dreaming about. Invisalign aligners can help straighten crooked teeth and improve an uneven bite to improve your oral function. Dr. Claustro offers Invisalign Aligner Therapy for teenagers and adults. Removable teeth aligners are an effective alternative to traditional orthodontics.

What to know about Invisalign aligners

With Invisalign Therapy, you receive your own customized set of removable transparent aligners. The aligners gently guide your teeth into a straight, beautiful smile. With Invisalign treatment, you’ll swap out each Invisalign tray every 7 – 14 days for the next one in your assigned series.

Dr. Claustro will take an impression of your teeth and mouth to send to a lab, where they will fashion your customized aligners. Once your aligners have been crafted, they will be sent to our office in Ashburn, VA where our team will ensure that they fit your mouth properly. Dr. Claustro will go over all instructions about wearing Invisalign aligners.

After wearing your aligners, you’ll need to undergo periodic visits with Dr. Claustro and the team at Joanna Claustro DMD & Associates to ensure that you are gaining optimal results from the Invisalign aligners.

Invisalign aligners can effectively straighten overcrowded teeth while improving your bite. They are discreet, so you don’t have to feel embarrassed or ashamed of smiling when you are wearing the teeth aligners.

How long do I need to wear my Invisalign aligners?

Every person’s bite is different. If you are wondering how long you’ll need to wear Invisalign aligners, consider the following:

How much do your teeth need to move to create a straight smile? If the distance is extensive, the treatment plan will be longer than a slight tweak.

The pace of the movement of teeth is different between people. With some patients, the shifting of teeth can take longer than others.

Complex alignment issues can take a considerable amount of time, and you’ll require more aligner trays. To effectively move your teeth into the correct positions, it is imperative that you follow Dr. Claustro’s recommendations.

What happens if I skip a day?

Do you have a special function, such as a wedding, job interview, or date, and you don’t want to wear your teeth aligners even if they are discreet? If so, you might wonder if you can go 24 hours without wearing the teeth aligner. You should consult with Dr. Claustro to ensure that it is acceptable not to wear your aligners. Every situation is different, so you should schedule a consultation with Dr. Claustro to discuss your situation.

Schedule a consultation about Invisalign aligners in Ashburn, VA

If you would like to learn more about Invisalign aligners and discover if they are right for your needs, schedule a consultation with Dr. Joanna Claustro at Joanna Claustro DMD & Associates in Ashburn, VA. Dr. Claustro will discuss your particular needs to determine how long you’ll need to wear Invisalign aligners.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.