Invisalign One-Day Break - How Much To Wait Till Next Tray?

Question

I am at tray 10 or so and have worn it for 12 days out of 14. I had removed the tray due to a speaking engagement and left it out the rest of the day (first time I've done this since start of Invisalign). How many extra days should I keep wearing tray 10 before moving to tray 11? I did notice that at the end of the day when I"ve put them back, it almost felt like a new tray. I realize this is somewhat of a setback but would like to know if OK to move with tray 11 right away or wait a few days.

Kathy Frazar, DDS, FAGD · Answer

Invisalign trays put constant pressure on teeth to move them into a new position. If the tray is lost or not worn, the teeth will tend to drift. This is why it is so important to wear the trays for at least 20 hours a day and to wear retainers for up to a year after treatment is finished. I would ask you to wear the tray until it is time to go to the next tray and you should be fine. It is better to loose or forget a tray towards the end of the 2 weeks!

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD · Answer

It takes an average of 10 hours to get teeth to begin moving, so if an aligner was not worn for 12 hours, only a couple were important. After placing the aligner back in, by the following morning the teeth were likely back to how they were. Moving on to the next aligner as planned, or perhaps one day later, will not alter treatment.

Antoaneta Barba, DDS · Answer

I believe you can move to tray 11 if you only missed one day.

	You should also ask the permission to your treating dentist.

Steve Alper, DMD · Answer

Hi Tm1900

	You should ask the treating dentist, but if that's all you missed for the entire 20 weeks you've been in treatment, I would imagine that its OK to continue with the next aligner as originally planned.

	Best,

	Dr. Alper

Jennifer Jablow, DDS · Answer

Each Invisalign tray is made to wear for a minimum of 14 days. If you missed one day then just add a day on to your schedule.

Invisalign One-Day Break - How Much To Wait Till Next Tray?

Answers (5)