Should I wear my aligners longer than the recommended time?

Question

I'm on tray 17/21 and this tray feels tight a week later. It is never this way. I use AcceleDent, so I change out my trays every week. If the aligners are still tighter than I normally experience, should I keep wearing them, or move on to my next tray?

Shireen Irani, DDS, MS · Answer

Continue wearing your trays as recommended by your specialist. It is important that your trays are tracking correctly (i.e. the fit over your teeth) rather than the subjective feeling of them being tight or loose. Since you are at 17/21 it will be time to re evaluate your progress relatively soon. Good luck!

Jennifer S. Stachel, DMD · Answer

Dear kata5716,Thank you for posting your question on RealSelf. I will do my best to provide an answer with the information provided.  Some aligners feel tighter than others, and sometimes, I do have patients change out a day or two earlier if the aligners feel 'loose' or change them out later if they still feel 'tight'.  My advice is to visit your treating doctor to make sure that your aligners are tracking properly.  It is a waste of time to continue through your aligners if they aren't fitting properly.  Your treating doctor will take a new scan or impression and order new aligners if the ones you are wearing aren't fitting properly.I hope this helps and good luck!  In the end, you will have an amazing smile!Best,Dr. Jenn

Andrea Ho-Fatt Wang, DDS · Answer

Yes - it is smart practice to wear your aligner for longer if it feels tight.  Since you've been in Invisalign for 17 aligners already, you know that they start to feel more loose right before you change them.  I would wear them for a few extra days until they start feeling slightly loose.  If the aligners still feel tight after a few days, try switching to the next aligner and see if that one feels better.  If both still feel very tight - you should make an appointment to see your dentist to make sure you are still tracking.  Sometimes one or more teeth stop moving in the way that was predicted and you may need a mid-course correction.  Good luck!

Nirav Patel, MDS, PhD · Answer

ideally per aligner tray is for 300hrs , only new invisalign tray is for 150 hrs [started in 2017] . if yr tray is tight means need some more time to express movement , that is called LAG phase, so continue that tray is for longer time. if u wear tray for longer time, that good, and  is always advisable for proper root movement.

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

I do not recommend wearing your trays longer.  Some trays fit differently than others.  I would speak to your dentist and let him know what your concerns are and see what they say.

Should I wear my aligners longer than the recommended time?

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Should I wear my aligners longer than the recommended time?

Answers (5)

Answer: Duration

Answer: Duration

Answer: Wearing my aligners longer than the recommended time?

Answer: Wearing my aligners longer than the recommended time?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about AcceleDent

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