Invisalign aligners are given out at the discretion of the treating doctor. It works like this: Align technology is a very sophisticated orthodontic laboratory who creates the aligners from the direction of the treating doctor. Align has gained huge experience over the years and can give advice to the treating doctor, but the doctor ultimately has the responsibility to decide on the treatment. This effects the number and type of aligners and will effect when they are given out as well. Where and when attachments are placed, where and when interproximal reductions are completed, and if and when elastics need to be worn, are all decisions that need to be made by the treating doctor and will effect when aligners are given out. Align Technology will manufacture all the aligners at the start of treatment, but the treating doctor needs to decide how many and when the aligners are given to the patient. I hope this helps to answer your question.
Depending on the movements prescribed in each sequential aligner, your orthodontist will give you a certain number of aligners to change on your own.
