When Can I Take Out My Invisalign?

In today’s world, appearances have gained a paramount role in our lives, and your smile is one of the essential factors in making you feel good about yourself. Straight teeth are everybody’s dream, and modern technology has greatly changed the face of orthodontics. 

Earlier, getting straight teeth meant having conspicuous and awkward metallic braces, which made people self-conscious for the duration of the treatment. But the advent of invisible aligners changed the whole game with their transparent trays that gelled completely with your natural teeth.

Invisalign is a set of clear trays that are custom-made to fit the shape and size of your teeth. Whether you are a teenager or an adult, you can choose these clear aligners at any age, as they are highly effective in treating orthodontic problems.

But there are a few rules around using Invisalign, such as the minimum number of hours to wear them. In this article, we will get information on all salient features of Invisalign, including the duration of the treatment.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a system of clear trays which are made of thermoplastic. 

• Your dentist would do a 3-D computer modeling of your teeth and then custom-design these trays to fit your teeth.
• The results of wearing these aligners are predictable if worn as prescribed.
• Every two weeks, you would need to switch to a new set of trays as each tray is designed considering the progressive change in your teeth’s positions.
• You should wear the aligners for at least twenty to twenty-two hours daily to finish your treatment within the stipulated time.
• One of the tremendous advantages of Invisalign is that you can take them out while eating or drinking.
• You would need to clean the trays after eating or drinking.

How Long Will My Treatment Last?

Invisalign treatment duration varies depending on the case. Simple cases might take as short as six months to finish. 

• Typically, the clear trays need twelve to eighteen months of treatment to straighten your teeth.
• The treatment duration could extend to twenty-four months or more if the case is complex, such as overcrowded teeth.
• Some crowding cases might be too complex, and Invisalign might not be suitable for such cases. Your dentist might advise you on traditional braces or a combination of orthodontic therapies.

Why Invisalign Treatment Duration Varies Greatly?

Since each patient is different, your orthodontist must chart the treatment course based on their specific requirements and oral condition. Some of the salient factors that have a significant effect on your treatment duration are:

• How much do your teeth need to move to achieve your desired smile? Treatment would be longer if your teeth need to move a greater distance.
• The pace at which teeth move differs from person to person.
• How compliant you are in wearing the clear trays for at least twenty to twenty-two hours a day. Treatment would be less effective and take longer if you do not wear your aligners for the prescribed duration.
• How complex is your teeth situation? The more complex a case, the longer the duration.

Your orthodontist can give you an idea about the duration of your treatment during your initial consultation. If you wear your aligners for the prescribed duration, your treatment will finish as per your orthodontist’s estimate.

What If I Leave My Invisalign Out For A Day?

Since you have the advantage of removing Invisalign as per your need, it enables you to enjoy food without restrictions. But if you take out your trays for a whole day, then it might have some downfalls, as outlined below:

• Progress is reversed – This is the most significant risk of leaving your trays out for a long time, where your teeth might return to the incorrect position. You will hurt your progress, and the amount of progress you lose varies. Fortunately, you can still get back on track with your treatment if you follow your dentist’s recommendations.
• Alters treatment plan – If you skip only one day of wearing your aligners, it may not impact the outcome of your therapy to a great extent. But if you skip them more often, it can alter your treatment plan and increase the duration of therapy.
• Next trays might not fit – All the aligners are custom-designed to adjust and fit your teeth as your teeth shift. If you skip wearing your aligners too often, the next set of trays might not fit you, and you might have to pay for the next set of aligners.

Invisalign treatment has become famous for people to straighten their teeth with these clear and removable trays. The treatment is effective if you wear them as recommended by your orthodontist. The duration of treatment varies significantly from patient to patient, and more complex cases might need more than twenty-four months.