The Invisalign process is a highly effective, less invasive dental procedure that fixes crooked teeth and closes gaps to give you a more aesthetic smile. Your dentist will walk you through the whole process and fill you in on everything you need to know about the treatment.
One question you might have relates to how often you can remove your Invisalign and when it is appropriate to do so. This guide will give you an overview of when you can and can’t take your aligners out and for how long each day you can be without them. Read on to discover all this information and more.
How many times a day can you take off Invisalign?
Technically, you can remove your Invisalign as many times as you want in a day, provided you keep them in for around 20-22 hours daily. However, dentists recommend you remove your aligners as little as possible, only for activities such as eating meals and brushing your teeth. Being without your Invisalign trays for more than 3-4 hours a day isn’t recommended and can be detrimental to the treatment process.
How many times a day can I remove my aligners?
It’s advisable to only remove your aligners for certain activities, such as eating, drinking, and dental hygiene routines. Aside from these specific times, keeping your Invisalign trays in for most of the day would be best. Cleaning Invisalign trays is another reason you can take them out; this must be done every day after each meal.
Can you take off Invisalign for a few hours?
Yes, you can take your Invisalign trays out for a few hours, but if they’re consecutive hours, it increases the risk of adverse effects. The longer you keep your aligners out of your mouth, the higher the chances of your teeth moving into positions that don’t fit your retainers.
If this happens, you might revert to an old retainer, delaying your treatment and increasing dental costs. Instead, you can take your Invisalign trays out for a few hours daily, but make sure this period is spread out over the day to maintain the effectiveness of the treatment.
Is 21 hours a day enough for Invisalign?
The recommended daily length to keep your Invisalign in is 20-22 hours. You should only remove them to eat, drink, and brush your teeth. Many wear their Invisalign for 22-23 hours a day, but 21 is enough to achieve the desired results.
It might sound like a lot, but once you get into a routine, you’ll find it natural to wear your retainers for 21 hours daily. Most of this time is when you’re asleep anyway, and there are many benefits of wearing Invisalign while you sleep, including reduced teeth grinding.
Can I leave my Invisalign out for 3 hours?
You can leave your Invisalign out for a combined total of 3 hours per day. Dentists recommend you wear your Invisalign for around 21 hours a day, so anything more than 3 hours without is risky territory.
You can take your Invisalign out for meals and oral hygiene care, but make sure to put it back in afterwards. Don’t take your Invisalign out for 3 hours in a row, as this increases the risk of the treatment being reversed or delayed.
Can I take my Invisalign out for 2 hours?
Yes, you can remove your Invisalign retainers for 2 hours per day. Try not to leave them out for 2 consecutive hours, though, as this reduces the effectiveness of the treatment. Dentists recommend only taking them out with meals or when drinking fluids that aren’t water. Aside from this, cleaning your teeth is the only time your aligners should be out.
What happens if I leave my tray(s) out for too long?
Leaving your aligners out for too long can negatively affect your teeth. Even skipping a day of Invisalign can delay the treatment and reduce its effectiveness. Missing more than a day will initiate a reversal process, and your teeth will start to move back to their original positions. Your teeth are more malleable during the treatment, so they can incorrectly reposition themselves quickly.
Not using your aligners for too long will cause your treatment to be delayed, costing you a lot more in dental fees. Moreover, you may have to revert to an old retainer, adding months to your treatment and prolonging the procedure.
Can I stop Invisalign for a week?
Even though Invisalign is immensely convenient, it still requires a certain level of commitment from the wearer. Forgetting to wear your retainers for a whole week can lead to severe consequences for both you and your teeth.
Most likely, your treatment will be delayed. When you eventually reinsert your Invisalign trays, you’ll find they don’t fit or hurt more than usual. This means you’ll have to use a previous retainer, setting your Invisalign treatment back weeks.
Is it OK not to wear Invisalign for a week?
No, it’s never good not to wear your Invisalign trays for a week. It’s not the end of the world if this happens, it will just cost you more in dental fees, and your treatment will be prolonged. If this happens, such as you’re on holiday and have forgotten to pack your Invisalign, arrange an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. You’ll likely need to use an old retainer that will fit your teeth better.
How long can I leave my Invisalign off for?
You shouldn’t leave your Invisalign off for longer than 3-4 hours each day, and not in one go. Anything longer will disrupt your treatment and may cause your teeth to revert to their original positions. Dentists recommend keeping your aligners in for 20-22 hours daily.