Can I wear Invisalign only at night

Invisalign and retainers are source of joy for teens and adults looking to correct orthodontic issues without metal braces. But wearing Invisalign can be discomforting and as such people ask if there can only wear Invisalign and retainers only at night. The simple answer here is no. Invisalign and retainers are not designed to be worn only at night and as such, its not advisable. before we look at why you cannot wear Invisalign and retainers only at night, let us look at what Invisalign and retainers are and how there work.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that is carefully designed to straighten teeth and treat  bad bite without the use of the traditional wires and braces. These Invisalign are clear aligners created and printed with BPA-free plastic that looks translucent and are nearly invisible when there are placed on your teeth.

How do Invisalign work?

The Invisalign also known as aligners work on the same principles like the traditional braces.  Invisalign exert gentle, continuous force to shift the teeth into place.

When the working process and methodology of braces and Invisalign are compared, it is discovered that it is the timing of this force between teeth hold by braces and aligners that differs. Depending on your case, your Doctor will print series of aligners just for you based on his specifications.

Each set of aligners is pre-programmed to achieve specific tooth movements, so at each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move. As you make your way through the series of aligners, your smile changes incrementally until your teeth reach ideal alignment.

What are Retainers used for?

Retainers are orthodontic devices whose function is to keep teeth straight. Retainers will only be given to patients as follow up to braces or Invisalign. so after months of wearing braces or Invisalign, retainers will help you tooth not to go back to their unwanted position so as not to waste the long time you have spent wearing the aligner. You might as of what good are retainers? To answer you, the job of the retainers to make sure that your teeth do not shift back into their original positions if you have already worn braces or Invisalign. By wearing retainers which some might choose to wear only at night, you will reinforce the work already done by your braces or Invisalign.

Can I wear Invisalign only at Night?

As I have pointed out earlier at the start of this article, you cannot wear Invisalign only at night and get the required result and at prescribed time.  Orthodontists typically recommend that for you to get good result and on time, you need to wear your Invisalign at least 20 to 22 hours every day. So if you now decide to wear your invisible aligners only at night, it will halve the daily treatment time you receive, possibly a lot more. So, a treatment plan that you were projected to complete in in few months or a year will be increased to two or more years.

With this reason, it is not advisable to wear Invisalign only at night if you want a good result and on time.

What are the benefits of wearing Invisalign over braces

can i wear my Invisalign only at night
is it ok to only wear Invisalign at night

One of the main reasons why many people choose to wear Invisalign is because it is clear and almost invisible. This aligners are manufactured with transparent material that fits the exact shape and size of your teeth. Invisalign allows you to straighten your teeth discreetly. This is a particularly appealing feature for older teens and adults.

Another reason why people  choose to wear Invisalign is because the clear aligners are removable. This is both a blessing and a curse for adults hoping to complete their treatment within the expected timeframe, which typically takes about 6-18 months.

Disadvantages of Invisalign

Unlike the traditional braces, Invisalign is easy to remove and you will easily forget to put them back.

You may also feel like taking a break during the initial stages of treatment. Like any other orthodontic treatment, Invisalign can be uncomfortable at first. While comfort gradually improves over time, you may be more inclined to remove clear aligners when they’re uncomfortable.

Why wear Invisalign over the Braces

People prefer wearing Invisalign instead of traditional braces because they are more comfortable wearing them than conventional braces and the aligner trays can be removed anytime the wearer wants to do so. People hesitant to wear traditional braces are often more open to wearing invisible aligners.

Often times, Invisalign doesn’t straighten teeth as fast as traditional metal braces would. The reason: There’s always the temptation to take them out for a bit and all of those bits of time, here and there, add up.

Can a retainer straighten my teeth?

No, retainers don’t straighten teeth like braces do. Teeth retainers can’t apply the constant, steady force needed to move teeth into their correct positions.

If you forgot to wear your retainer for a few weeks and your teeth have shifted, wearing it may help nudge your teeth back into their correct position. You’ll probably feel some discomfort as the retainer slowly pushes your teeth back into alignment. This usually only works for subtle, short-term changes.

What happens if you only wear Invisalign at night only?

If for any reason you decide to wear Invisalign aligners only in the night, you might not get the required result and at the right time. As I have pointed out above, you are required to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours daily to achieve  a good result and on time. So if you wear Invisalign only at night, it might be for 8 to 10 hours which is not recommended and as such won’t yield the needed result or might need double of the time frame to get the required result. So don’t wear your aligners only in the night.

Can I wear my Invisalign overnight?

 You can wear your Invisalign overnight but that is not all that is required of you to get the good result. You need to wear them for at least 20 hours daily before you can see the result and on time.