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How Often Should I Wear My Invisalign Aligners?

How Often Should I Wear My Invisalign Aligners?

Whether you are already wearing Invisalign aligners or considering treatment, understanding your daily wear schedule is essential.

Invisalign aligners are generally worn for 20–22 hours each day, including while you sleep. Your orthodontist will provide specific instructions tailored to your treatment. Following this schedule helps your teeth move progressively towards their planned positions. Invisalign patient guidance.

When Should I Remove My Aligners?

One of the advantages of Invisalign is that your aligners are removable, allowing you to enjoy your usual meals and maintain your oral hygiene routine.

Remove your aligners when:

  • Eating meals or snacks.
  • Drinking anything other than plain water.
  • Brushing and flossing your teeth.
  • Cleaning your aligners.

Clean your teeth and aligners as instructed, then reinsert them promptly. Always store your aligners in their protective case when they are out of your mouth to help prevent loss or damage. Invisalign care guidance.

Why Does Consistent Wear Matter?

Each aligner applies gentle, controlled pressure to make specific tooth movements before you progress to the next set.

When aligners are left out for extended periods, your teeth may not keep pace with the planned movements. Consequently:

  • Tooth movement may be delayed.
  • Your current aligners may feel tighter when reinserted.
  • Subsequent aligners may not fit correctly.
  • Treatment may take longer or require additional aligners.

If you have missed a substantial amount of wear time or notice that your aligners no longer fit properly, contact your orthodontist before moving to the next set. We can assess your progress and advise you on the appropriate next step.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

Treatment duration varies according to the complexity of your tooth and bite movements, your treatment goals and your individual response. Consistent aligner wear also influences progress.

Your orthodontist will provide an estimated timeline following a thorough assessment and review it as treatment progresses. You will usually change aligners every one to two weeks, according to your prescribed schedule. Do not change sets early without advice. Invisalign treatment guidance.

You can also read more about how long Invisalign treatment may take.

Can I Remove My Aligners for Sport or Other Activities?

Brief removal may be necessary for certain musical instruments or other activities. Discuss these needs with your orthodontist so they can be accommodated within your daily wear schedule.

For contact sports, remove your aligners and wear an appropriately fitted sports mouthguard. Invisalign aligners are not a substitute for a protective mouthguard. American Association of Orthodontists guidance.

Making Aligner Wear Part of Your Routine

Keeping your case and a small dental care kit nearby can make daily care easier. A reminder on your phone may also help you remember to replace your aligners after meals.

If you find the wear schedule difficult to manage, please speak with our team. We are here to help you establish a practical routine that supports your treatment and oral health.

 

 

Invisalign: How Long Do You Have to Wear Them?

Many patients that choose to invest in Invisalign do so because these clear aligner trays are a faster, more convenient and more efficient orthodontic solution that can address their smile concerns and needs. So, how long do you have to wear Invisalign? From mild bite misaligns to more severe spacing or overcrowding, this modern orthodontic treatment can take as little as six months to completely transform your smile, a significant difference from more traditional smile solutions. Your orthodontist will provide accurate advice on Invisalign and how long you have to wear them.

Invisalign and How Long You Have to Wear Them : Average Treatment Time

The average length of treatment for an Invisalign patient can be anywhere between six months and eighteen months, but more complex cases may require additional time to achieve the desired results. When it comes to your specific treatment duration, be sure speak with your orthodontist and ask specific questions around Invisalign and how long you have to wear them, to get their professional opinion and set a realistic expectation for your unique needs.

Invisalign Should Be Worn Daily

Your orthodontist will also speak with you about your daily commitment to your aligner trays to ensure you are getting the results you want as efficiently as possible. Your aligner trays are going to be custom created using advanced digital imaging techniques to ensure they are a comfortable fit. This design is to allow you to be able to wear them at least 22 hours a day throughout the duration of your treatment. This gives you about two hours a day to take the removable trays out for activities such as eating and hygienic maintenance.

Since they are removable, you don’t have to worry about the risk of damaging your teeth while struggling to clean around metal brackets and wires. No floss threaders or water picks are needed when you can simply remove the trays to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. This means your teeth can remain healthy for any amount of time that you need to complete your Invisalign treatment before you can finally reveal your beautiful new smile to the world.

Read more about our clear braces & treatment options or request a consultation.

Management of Ectopic and Missing Teeth

Dr Siva delivered a keynote lecture presentation on the Management of Ectopic Teeth and Missing Teeth to the Dental Hygienists Association of WA on Friday 20 July 2018.

What is an ectopic tooth? It is a tooth that does not follow the usual course of eruption – which is another way of saying that it doesn’t come through sit nicely in line with the other teeth. As a parent you might be asking yourself the question “when will my child’s permanent teeth all come through?” But with an ectopic tooth, it may never find its way into the right spot on its own – it might need a little help from an Orthodontist or another Dental Specialist such as a Paediatric Dentist. The first permanent molars are the most common teeth to become ectopic and can result in impaction. Another tooth which is frequently ectopic and can be impacted is the upper permanent canine. This issue can be inherited,  and appear in multiple siblings. Early detection and management of ectopic teeth by an Orthodontist can assist in preventing a more complicated situation developing.

Missing teeth can also lead to a variety of orthodontic issues. The management of missing teeth isn’t as simple as closing the gap as there are a variety of factors which need to be taken into account – your smile, facial relationships, and jaw relationships are just a few to consider. Orthodontists are the experts in providing solutions to manage missing teeth in children and they will often work together with  a Prosthodontist to manage missing teeth in adults. Options to replace missing teeth include dental implants, bridges, and dentures.

Dr Siva presents RACDS Masterclass: Fastfood Orthodontics

In recent years there has been a proliferation in orthodontic “quick fixes” or short term orthodontics.  These treatment plans often focus on simple alignment of the visible teeth without taking into account orthodontic issues with the entire dentition.

Dr Siva presented on this topic to Specialist Orthodontists and General Dental Practitioners at the Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons 2016 Convocation in Hobart, Tasmania. During his Orthodontics Masterclass Dr Siva emphasised the importance of sound biomechanical principles in addressing a patient’s malocclusion and highlighted the need to distinguish between marketing “spin” and sound orthodontic principles.  Dr Siva shared his experience in utilising the latest techniques and technologies and encouraged participants to objectively assess what is available on the market.

Dr Siva publishes article in Australian Orthodontic Journal

Dr Siva collaborated with Professor Benedict Wilmes of Dusseldorf University to publish an article in the Australian Orthodontic Journal in November 2015. Professor Wilmes is both a Specialist Orthodontist and Specialist Oral Surgeon and is considered a leading authority in the use of skeletal anchorage systems.

The article was entitled  “Closure of an Open Bite Using the ‘Mousetrap’ Appliance: A 3-year Follow-up”  and involved the closure of an open bite using the “Mousetrap” appliance.

A full copy of the article is available on our website at Giving Back / Education & Research.

 

World Federation of Orthodontists 8th International Congress in London, United Kingdom

Dr Siva delivered a presentation on research conducted with his colleagues at Harvard University and Boston Children’s Hospital at the World Federation of Orthodontists 8th International Orthodontic Congress in September 2015. This international conference is held every five years, and enables Specialist Orthodontists from all over the world to collaborate, and exchange clinical and research insights. Dr Siva presented his research on the application of 3D Facial mapping to assess nasal symmetry in Cleft Lip and Palate patients.

 

2015 Berlin Marathon

In September 2015 Dr Siva travelled to Berlin to run in the Berlin Marathon, one of the 6 major marathons in the world. It’s a flat course which takes you on a 42.195km tour of a beautiful, historic city. The marathon world record has been broken at this event in 2013 and 2014. With a busy schedule this year, Dr. Siva was not expecting to challenge the elite runners, but was simply excited to have the opportunity to participate in such an event.  Although he experienced cramping from the 26km mark, he soldiered through the last 16.2km on and finished the course with more than 40,000 others from 127 countries around the world. Well done Dr Siva, we’re very proud of you!

Dr Siva examines Harvard University Orthodontic Residents

In May 2015 was an examiner for the Orthodontic Residents at Harvard University as they prepared for their Board examinations.

Dr Siva is a Faculty Member and Visiting Lecturer at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Boston Childrens’ Hopsital Department of Dentistry. He was appointed to this role following completion of a 2 year Fellowship in Cleft Lip Palate and Craniofacial Orthodontics and a Masters of Public Health at Harvard University and Boston Childrens Hospital. He returns to Boston on a regular basis to assist with teaching the Harvard Orthodontic Residents and was honoured to be involved in their examinations.

 

Should I get “extras” with my private health insurance?

A question we often field is “which insurance company should I purchase my orthodontic and dental cover with to maximise my rebate?” The experts say that paying for “extras” just doesn’t add up. In an extraordinarily candid assessment for a top bureaucrat, Private Health Insurance Administration Council CEO Shaun Gath told News Corp Australia extras cover was an “irrational” purchase for most people because the premium paid was more than the benefits derived. People would be better off paying for dental, optical and other general treatments out of their own pocket, the industry regulator says. See more at http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/experts-say-having-extras-private-health-insurance-doesnt-make-financial-sense/story-fneuz9ev-1227283386056