Can I Stop the Invisalign Treatment Early, Wear the Retainer Every Night, and Get Back on the Treatment Several Months After?

Question

Hello, Currently, I am on tray #9 (total of 18) Invisalign trays. I might need a 'refinement period' after the 9 months, extending the treatment to 1 year. I have no aesthetic concern with Invisalign, however it has really affected my speech. I will be starting college in Fall and I'm considering stopping the treatment at the end of summer, wearing my retainer *Every Night* and re-continuing during winter break and/or summer. Would that be an option at all?!!!

Daniel B. Strader, DDS · Answer

When Invisalign Aligners are not worn 22 hours a day, the tooth movement process is shut down, and leaving the trays out 3 hours may delay results three days.  Think of it as if an automobile manufacturer shut down the factory and laid off all the employees.  Then when it was decided to go back to manufacturing it would take a long time to recall all the employees and get the process up to speed.  

	Wearing the aligner as a retainer for months at a time will result in stretching of the aligner, and you will lose some of what has been accomplished.  This may require a "Mid-course Correction" which is a significant added expense.  

	You would be better off practicing reading aloud to minimize the aligners affect on your speech and getting past the treatment phase into the maintenance phase.

Gerry Curatola, DDS · Answer

Generally, interrupting Invisalign treatment is not advised and may result in relapse and the need for a new ClinCheck plan. Based on what you shared, you have an involved case as your refinement will extend treatment for a year. I have many college students, models, teachers and celebrities in active Invisalign treatment with few problems.  Your speech complaint should be addressed with your dentist as the trays may need to be modified to assist with your adjustment to them.

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

I understand what you are asking but in most cases this is going to cause more problems and delay treatment even more.  I would not recommend it but speak to your dentist about it and see what they have to say

Kent Lauson, DDS, MS · Answer

I understand you are asking.  However, the person best qualified to answer this question is your orthodontist/dentist.  But see if this is helpful: the scenario you describe could possibly work, but if you were my patient, I would try to talk you into continuing to wear the aligners as designed, and when the school begins, if you are still having trouble speaking confidently, then I would address the problem this way:  during school hours when you are in a class where you need to speak, you would have the aligners out.  Other times you would have it in except to eat.  Depending on how much you have the aligners out,  you would need to wear each aligner an extra week or two.  At least this way you could continue with the treatment and not lose the ground you have gained.  I hope this is helpful.

Can I Stop the Invisalign Treatment Early, Wear the Retainer Every Night, and Get Back on the Treatment Several Months After?

Answers (4)

Answer: Stopping Invisalign in the middle of treatment can have negative consequences.

Answer: Stopping Invisalign in the middle of treatment can have negative consequences.

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Everything you need to know about Invisalign

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

Can I Stop the Invisalign Treatment Early, Wear the Retainer Every Night, and Get Back on the Treatment Several Months After?

Answers (4)

Answer: Stopping Invisalign in the middle of treatment can have negative consequences.

Answer: Stopping Invisalign in the middle of treatment can have negative consequences.

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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.