While clear aligner treatments such as Invisalign and ClearCorrect can be easier and more comfortable ways to achieve a better dental alignment than traditional braces, they still require a significant amount of discipline on the patient’s part to deliver their intended results. If you do not wear your clear aligners for enough time every day, your teeth will not respond to the treatment as well as they should, leading to costly delays. Here’s what you should know about keeping your clear aligner treatment on track.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Invisalign and ClearCorrect work by using a sequence of customized clear aligners to gradually shift misaligned teeth into healthier positions. The patient must wear their aligners sufficiently each day, and they must switch to the next pair in their sequence every two weeks or so, depending on the specifics of their treatment plan. The constant tension the clear aligners provide will realign the smile, making it more beautiful, harder to injure, easier to clean, and less likely to become infected.
How Long Do I Need to Wear My Clear Aligners Every Day?
Invisalign and ClearCorrect patients must wear their aligners for twenty to twenty-two hours every day, and they will ideally only remove them for meals, snacks, oral hygiene sessions, and drinking anything but water. Clear aligners work by exerting constant pressure on the teeth, and the teeth will begin sliding out of alignment as soon as these appliances are removed. Failing to wear your aligners enough every day can lead to treatment delays that may be quite costly.
Why Else Might My Teeth Not Be Moving Properly with Clear Aligners?
Some patients may have teeth that are more stubborn than anticipated, and their treatments may require adjustments to stay on track. The lateral incisors, which are the small teeth immediately next to your front teeth, are especially notorious for being difficult to move with orthodontics, and clear aligners may require attachments like buttons to keep the treatment on track.
In other cases, your treatment may seem to be going slowly because some teeth are not as quick to move as others. Stubborn teeth can make it difficult for the teeth around them to be shifted into new positions by obstructing their paths. In some cases, an orthodontist can address this issue by safely resculpting your teeth to prevent collisions.
Excellent oral hygiene and wearing your clear aligners sufficiently each day are both crucial parts of a successful orthodontic treatment. If your treatment is going as planned, your orthodontist will be able to help you get back on track.
About the Author
Dr. Shefat Rabbi earned his dental degree at the University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine and furthers his education with postgraduate coursework. He takes great pride in providing patients with the oral health care they need when they need it most. His Edison office offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as clear aligner orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign and ClearCorrect. To learn more about keeping your clear aligner treatment on track, contact his practice online or dial (908) 409-0881.