In order for Invisalign treatment to be successful, you must be committed to wearing your Invisalign clear aligners for 22 hours a day. Today, our Surrey dentists explain what happens if you get off track with treatment and some of the things you can do to get back on schedule.
Treatment with Invisalign
Treating orthodontic issues with Invisalign is a popular option for many adults and teens. The major appeal of Invisalign is how these clear aligners can fit into your lifestyle—they are discreet and can be removed for eating, drinking, and playing sports. However, Invisalign wearers must be diligent in wearing their clear aligners for at least 22 hours a day or their treatment can start to go off track.
What happens if you don't wear your aligners enough?
If you aren't wearing your Invisalign clear aligners for the required amount of time, you may notice that your aligners aren't fitting as well as they should or that there are gaps between your teeth and the aligners.
Typically, each set of custom Invisalign trays is meant to be worn for 22 hours a day for a period of two weeks. If you aren't wearing your aligners enough, your teeth will not be moving as fast and aren’t as likely to keep up with the progression of your treatment.
What can you do if you get off track with your treatment?
If you get off track with your Invisalign treatment, there are a few things you can do to help get yourself back on schedule:
Talk to Your Dentist
The first thing you should do if you notice that something is off about your treatment is make an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist will be able to assess your situation and give you advice on how to get back on track with your treatment.
Backtracking
Your dentists may suggest that you backtrack to a previous set of aligners and wear it until your teeth catch up. This way when you switch to your new set your teeth are in the right position and treatment can successfully move forward. Your dentist will tell you which set to switch to and how long you should be wearing it for.
Treatment Revision
If your previous sets are not fitting correctly, your dentist may need to revise your treatment plan and create a new set or sets of aligners to get you back on track. The sooner you can see your dentist the better as you will be less likely to need an extensive revision to your treatment plan.
By working with your dentist and staying committed to your treatment, you will have the smile you’ve been hoping for in no time!