Is 20 Hours a Day Enough for Invisalign?

Are 20 hours a day enough to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment? Find out what orthodontists have to say about how long you should wear your aligners each day.

Is 20 Hours a Day Enough for Invisalign?

Are 20 hours a day enough to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment? Many people have reported that it's impossible to wear Invisalign for 22 hours a day, as recommended by the manufacturer. However, orthodontists agree that between 20 and 22 hours should be sufficient. The teeth need constant pressure to move into their desired position, but it's not feasible to keep the aligners on all the time. The 22-hour guideline allows you to eat and play without compromising your treatment plan.

Most people should be able to wear their Invisalign aligners for at least 20 hours a day, and many can reach the recommended 22 hours. It's important to take your treatment seriously and commit to wearing the aligners for the prescribed amount of time. If you don't, you may find yourself wanting to use them even less. Your orthodontist will tell you how long you should wear the aligners each day, but 20-22 hours is generally considered ideal for achieving the best results.

In order for Invisalign to apply adequate pressure to your teeth, you must wear them for at least 20 hours a day most of the time. Fortunately, you don't need to floss while wearing them. Even if you have a busy lifestyle and work more than 50 hours a week, it's still possible to wear them for 22 hours a day. You may experience some discomfort in the beginning as your tongue gets used to having the aligners in your mouth, and you may have a slight lisp.

If you're having trouble reaching the recommended 22 hours of use per day, try setting aside 30 minutes in the morning for coffee, 30 minutes for lunch, and an hour for dinner. This should give you enough time to eat, brush your teeth, and clean your trays before putting them back in. After researching online, it appears that 20-22 hours per day is more common than just 22 hours.

Bernadette Livas
Bernadette Livas

Unapologetic web geek. Award-winning food junkie. Friendly food expert. Incurable web fan. Professional twitter fanatic.