Invisalign has taken the world of modern dentistry by storm! Many patients are turning towards these awesome aligners to straighten and enhance their smiles. However, one of the biggest factors that determines Invisalign’s success is a patient’s willingness to wear their aligners for 22 hours every day. If you’ve recently started Invisalign treatment, this might seem like a daunting task—but it’s totally doable! Keep reading to learn more about why this rule is so important for your treatment, along with some tips to help you stick with it.
Why Do I Have to Wear My Invisalign for 22 Hours Every Day?
The 22-hour rule isn’t arbitrary or made-up; there’s a very important reason for it! Invisalign works by gradually shifting your teeth into a straighter and more natural position over the course of a few months. Since this process happens over time and your teeth move very slowly, the amount of discomfort that you feel is virtually non-existent.
You’ll wear each set of trays for a predetermined amount of time, usually two or so weeks, before advancing to a new set. As you progress through different sets of aligners, the newer ones will be straighter than the previous ones to keep up with your teeth’s progress. However, this is where the 22-hour rule comes into play; your teeth won’t shift as intended if you aren’t wearing your aligners frequently. Even missing a few days or hours can set back your treatment!
Tips for Meeting the 22-Hour Wear Time
Fortunately, there are many tips and tricks to help you out when it comes to wearing your aligners for the required 22 hours every day. Consider the following:
- Remove your aligners for a set amount of time each day – Aim to take out your trays only when it’s time to eat; give yourself 15 minutes for breakfast, 30 minutes for lunch, and about an hour for dinner. This should give you plenty of time to eat and also clean your aligners without compromising the 22-hour rule.
- Advance to your new trays before bedtime – When it’s time for you to advance to your next set of trays, you should swap at night before going to bed. This way, you’ll sleep through the initial discomfort of wearing new trays.
- Multi-task – If your trays aren’t in your mouth, you should either be eating or cleaning your trays (or both). This reduces the amount of time they spend outside of your mouth.
- Practice good oral hygiene habits – You should brush and floss after every meal to keep your mouth clean and your aligners free of food particles.
- Use technology to assist you – Apps like Tray Minder can assist you with keeping track of your wear time. Even simply setting a timer can go a long way!
It will take some time for you to become accustomed to the flow of removing and replacing your aligners and wearing them for 22 hours every day might seem impossible at first. But by knowing what’s at stake and establishing good habits, you can ensure that your aligners are able to do their job and provide you with a beautiful new smile.
About the Practice
Meadowbrook Dentistry proudly serves patients and families in the Plainview, NY area under the leadership of three skilled specialists: Dr. Publio Silfa, Dr. Miguel Casañas Jr., and Dr. Bryan Tamburro. Together they combine several years of experience to provide their patients with an elite level of dental care. Their practice is pleased to offer many available services including Invisalign. If you have any questions about Invisalign or would like to schedule an appointment, you can contact the practice through their website or by phone: (516) 346-5655.