Wearing Invisalign for Less Than 24 Hours Per Day

Question

I'm not sure I can commit to wearing the invisalign appliances for 24hrs per day. What happens if I only wear it at night and for a few hours per day? I am 55 years old and am doing this to correct crowded lower teeth which occasionally cause me to bite my lip while eating. Thanks

Steven Davidowitz, DDS · Answer

Unfortunately, in order to move teeth within the supporting structures of gums and bone in a predictable and safe manner force needs to be constant on the teeth.  By only wearing aligners at night teeth will not track properly and health structures can be overloaded.

Jarrod Goldberg, DDS · Answer

We recommend wearing aligners 22 hours per day (2 hours to compensate for eating times). 
If you shorten the amount of time worn per day, you'll have to wear the aligners for a longer period of time to obtain ideal movement and retention.  Teeth movement is pretty simple--it takes time and pressure to move teeth.  If we shorten the time worn per aligner, the total treatment time lengthens.

Gary Braunstein, DDS · Answer

If you cannot commit to wearing Invisalign 22-24 hours per day, you should consider traditional braces.  Invisalign will not provide the results you want without the required wear time.

Michael Ayzin, DDS · Answer

Thank you for your question. It sounds like you might be NOT a good candidate for Invisalign. Teeth have memory. If you do not wear aligners as prescribed, they will move to old position. In other words it will be a titor toter effect and you will not be happy with the final results. I would focus on what results you desire. Straigter teeth, better looking smile, easier to clean, etc... and make a decision how to get it. If not Invisalign, then braces. It is your choice.

Mina Levi, DDS · Answer

Hi there,
thank you for the great question.
The design of the Invisalign trays is such that the patient has to have at least 20-22 hours of wear in order for the system to work.
Wearing them less than 20-22hours can compromise treatment results.
I would not recommend Invisalign treatment to my patients until they are committed to a dull time wear.
With this being said sometimes it can happen that on occasional days people don't have the full 20-22 hours and in this case I tell my patients to extend the trays interval by a couple of days.
For example if the patient had a day with only 15 hours of wear I ask them to add one more day to their usual schedule.
Also inform your treating dentist if there are any changes in the wear of the trays which can help with making important clinical decisions.
Best of luck to you,
Dr. Mina Levi

Zach Casagrande, DDS, MS · Answer

It is possible to wear Invisalign for less
than the recommended 22 hours per day. However, this may increase the time in
treatment.

Gerilyn Alfe, DMD · Answer

Having been through Invisalign as an adult myself, I know it can be challenging to routinely have your aligners in place 22 hours/day on average. If you know for certain that you will be non-compliant and only wearing them at night and a few hours a day, I would recommend that you not do Invisalign. Not only could your final result not look the way you want, you could do more damage than good...the least of it is the money you'd be wasting not to get the result you want. Ask your dentist for other options to improve your smile and your bite.

Antoaneta Barba, DDS · Answer

You must wear the aligners 22hrs out of 24 hrs.

	Wearing less time it will not give you the results you expected.

Dalvir Pannu, DDS · Answer

In my opinion one should not go for the invisalign treatment if not too sure of the commitment of following the instructions completely. Invisalign include set of self correcting aligners if not worn for the proper duration can change the whole treatment outlook and the length of the treatment .Ideally aligner should be in the mouth for atleast a period of 22 hours ,it is okay to take them out for 2 hours for eating ,brushing ,floosing and drinking.So fgor better predictability of results one should wear the aligners religiously.

Jacqueline Demko, DDS, MSD · Answer

I agree with Dr Povolny, you should strongly consider passing on Invisalign for a treatment option. Unless, you are comfortable writing a big check and getting little to nothing in return.

	That said I had one patient who only wore them to bed and a few hours every day. She transferred into me from another city. Both the other orthodontists and myself strongly warned against it. I have to confess she got about 90% of what she hoped out of her treatment. It just took 3 times as long.

	I think the key to her success was she was very consistent with her hours and was in her mid 20's. The reason the age plays a factor it simply the bone density factor. Typically the older the more dense your bone, so moving teeth is harder and less predictable.

	If you use simple math to think about this and apply some basic science...we are talking about moving something throw bone. Bones cells have to be stimulated enough to be broken down, pushed out of the way to allow the tooth to move. Then the tooth needs to be held there while the bone cells fill in around the tooth's new position and harden. That take TIME. There are 24 hours in a day. So theoretically, 12 hours in and 12 hours out = a net zero.

	I think your key, if you still really want to try Invisalign is being truthful, as you seem to be, about the wear you will be able to get AND finding someone willing to try it with you.

	Congrats to you on realizing you have a full life of beautiful smiles ahead of you and you deserve it.

Wearing Invisalign for Less Than 24 Hours Per Day

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