Author: swc

Whether you already have Invisalign aligners or you’re thinking of getting them, you probably know that they are not just clear and customised, but you can also remove them to eat and drink, but you may be asking, “How Often Should I Wear My Invisalign Aligners?”

You must wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours per day so that they can work efficiently and straighten your teeth properly. It sounds like a long time, but it’s important to wear them for that long each day so as not to compromise your overall treatment and how long you have to wear them overall.

Remove Your Aligners to Eat, Brush, and Floss

The Invisalign aligners should stay in your mouth as much as you possibly can for the overall treatment to be a success. That being said, you can and should temporarily remove the aligners when eating, brushing, and flossing. This is one of the greatest advantages that Invisalign has over traditional metal braces. Unlike the traditional variety, you are not limited to what you can eat when you have Invisalign aligners, just as long as you remove them when eating.

How Often Should I Wear My Invisalign Aligners: Overall Treatment Duration

The entire Invisalign treatment takes about 12 months. This period can be longer or shorter depending on your unique situation and how misaligned your teeth are, as well as how long you leave the aligners in every day. The aligner tray should be replaced every two weeks throughout your treatment period.

The Consequences of Not Wearing Your Aligners

If you fail to wear your Invisalign aligners for less than 20 to 22 hours each day, your teeth will not move into the proper position for your next set of aligner trays. It will also take longer to position your teeth correctly, so you will land up having to wear your aligners for a longer period of time.

However, you can remove the aligners for short periods of time. Other than for eating, brushing, and flossing, you can remove the aligners when you want to play a musical instrument or even contact sports.

Just remember to keep a protective case with you so you can always place your aligners somewhere safe.

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.

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.

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