Aligners Removed for 12+ Hours - Can I Resume Normal Usage?

Question

I have been sick with a virus and had to keep my aligners out for 12-16 hours. I am wondering if I can resume wearing the aligners the same as before or if I need to go back to the previous set. What do people normally do when they're sick and can't keep them in?

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD · Answer

12 hours of leaving them out LIKELY won't be a big deal, but might.  I would suggest to place the current aligner in and evaluate in 24 hours.  If it still does not fit or feel as it did, then either go back to one previous aligner or see your treating dentist/orthodontist.

Gilbert H. Snow, DDS · Answer

Don't make this a habit. However, I would wear that aligner an extra two days just to be sure you haven't lost some tooth movement

Brian Povolny, DDS, PhD · Answer

This amount of time may not be a problem if you put the current tray in and wear it consistently going forward.  However, sometimes a tooth can slip back further than a particular tray can handle if it's out for 12 hours.  To be certain about what to do you might want to visit your orthodontist and ask if all teeth are tracking properly in the current tray.  One thing for sure: if you leave the trays out every day for 12 hours the Invisalign treatment will probably not work.  Not wearing the trays consistently for 22 hours a day is most common reason for treatment failure with Invisalign.

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS · Answer

Should not be a problem..maybe a little tighter than normal....worse case...might need to add one extra day to the normal 2 weeks

Mickey Bernstein, DDS (retired) · Answer

For that short a period of time, just continue with the same set of trays as if you had missed no time at all. If several days were missed, it may be necessary to return to the previous trays.

Aligners Removed for 12+ Hours - Can I Resume Normal Usage?

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Answer: Aligners out for 12 hrs...what do I do?

Answer: Aligners out for 12 hrs...what do I do?

Answer: Resuming your Invisalign after a short delay

Answer: Resuming your Invisalign after a short delay

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Aligners Removed for 12+ Hours - Can I Resume Normal Usage?

Answers (5)

Answer: Aligners out for 12 hrs...what do I do?

Answer: Aligners out for 12 hrs...what do I do?

Answer: Resuming your Invisalign after a short delay

Answer: Resuming your Invisalign after a short delay

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.