One of the basic rules of successful Invisalign treatment is that you should wear your aligners for 20 – 22 hours each day (the closer you can get to 22 hours, the better). That might seem like a challenge. After all, 22 hours amounts to more than 90% of the time each day! However, you can be confident that meeting your Invisalign wear time is a realistic goal. This blog post explains why compliance is so vital, and it provides some tips to help you keep your aligner trays in your mouth as much as possible.
Why the 22-Hour Compliance Rule Matters
Invisalign works because it applies gentle, sustained pressure to the teeth in order to move them over time. Whenever you take your aligners out of your mouth, that pressure is no longer there. If you remove your aligners for too long, your teeth may not make proper progress. You could end up delaying your final results. Plus, when you try to switch to a new aligner, it could be extremely uncomfortable.
In order to have a smooth treatment experience from beginning to end, adequate aligner wear time is essential.
How To Meet the 22-Hour a Day Requirement
Here are some practical tips to help you meet your daily time requirement for wearing Invisalign:
- Watch the clock at mealtimes. If you usually eat a quick breakfast, try to remove your aligners for a maximum of 15 minutes. Allot 30 minutes for lunch and 60 minutes for dinner. A longer dinner time can allow you to enjoy your meal and even indulge in dessert if you wish. You will also have time to complete a thorough oral hygiene routine before you place your aligners back in your mouth.
- Make sure you eat enough at each meal. Frequent snacking throughout the day will significantly cut into your Invisalign wear time. Try to plan your three main meals so they satisfy you for several hours. Be sure to eat enough calories and include protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
- Download an app. Many patients have found that the TrayMinder app is helpful for keeping their treatment on track.
- Use your time efficiently. When you remove your aligners at dinnertime, place them in a cleansing solution for about 30 minutes.
- Attend to oral hygiene right after meals. As soon as you finish eating, you should brush and floss. You should also rinse your aligners before starting to wear them again.
Wearing Invisalign for 22 hours a day might seem tough at first, but it should not take you long to get into a good routine!
Meet the Practice
The talented and experienced team at New Haven Dental Group is proud to offer Invisalign clear aligners. If you have questions about this treatment or how you can make a success out of it, we would be pleased to speak with you. We have already helped many patients to straighten their teeth with Invisalign, and we are eager to help more! To learn more about us or to request a consultation, contact our Hamden office at 203-587-7327.