Invisalign is a popular teeth straightening treatment that uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually shift teeth into place over time. Patients are typically instructed to wear Invisalign aligners for 22 hours per day, only removing them to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
But can you deviate from this schedule and take your aligners out for longer periods? Here is a detailed look at whether it is okay to take off Invisalign aligners for a full day and what potential impacts this could have on your treatment progress.
Quick Overview
Taking Invisalign aligners out for an entire day is generally not recommended. Each aligner is precisely calibrated to apply gentle pressure to move your teeth slightly over the course of its two-week lifespan. Going too long without wearing an aligner can slow or halt progress for that set. However, the occasional day without aligners is unlikely to seriously impact treatment as long as it’s not a regular occurrence.
How Invisalign Aligners Work
In order to understand the implications of leaving aligners out for a day, it helps to first understand how Invisalign works.
Invisalign uses a series of BPA-free plastic aligners that are custom-made to fit your teeth and incrementally move them over time. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks before switching to the next in the series, slowly shifting your teeth into the desired position.
Your provider maps out your entire treatment plan from start to finish using 3D modeling software. This allows them to create just the right number of aligner sets needed to achieve the desired results.
While Invisalign aligners are removable, unlike traditional braces, they still need to be worn consistently in order to be effective. The plastic gently puts pressure on your teeth to move them. If aligners are out of the mouth for too long, teeth will slip back into their original positions.
Recommended Wear Time
Invisalign provider instructions recommend wearing your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. The only times aligners should be removed are for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing teeth, and on occasion for important events.
Wearing aligners for less than 20 hours per day risks extending total treatment time. Inconsistent wear diminishes the amount of progress made during each two-week aligner stage.
Impacts of Removing Aligners for 24 Hours
What exactly happens if you deviate from the 20-22 hour per day wear time and go without aligners for a full 24 hours?
Taking aligners out for an entire day once in a blue moon likely won’t cause any major issues. But making a habit of it can definitively impact treatment progress and duration.
Tooth Movement Reverses
One of the main risks of leaving Invisalign out for longer than recommended is that teeth will start to shift back towards their original position. Each aligner is designed to incrementally move teeth in specific ways. When an aligner is out, those teeth are no longer being guided in the intended direction.
One 2013 study published in The Angle Orthodontist looked at the effects of missed Invisalign wear time. Researchers found that when aligners were out for two continuous days, teeth shifted back 54% of the distance they had been moved by that aligner set. Four days without aligners and teeth relapsed 86% of the distance.
After just one 24 hour period without Invisalign, you likely won’t notice your teeth reverting backwards. But over time, regularly allowing full days of non-wear can absolutely impact progress.
Longer Treatment Time
If leaving aligners out frequently causes too much back-sliding between sets, this means each aligner will accomplish less forward progress of your teeth. Short term, a single day without aligners now and then won’t add weeks to your treatment plan. But if you regularly go day-after-day without them, you risk elongating the total number of months needed to complete the alignment process.
Affect Attachments
In addition to the aligners themselves, Invisalign treatment often involves small tooth-colored “attachments” bonded to certain teeth. These bumps and ridges help the aligners better grip teeth to shift them into place.
Without the aligner in, these attachments are more vulnerable to breaking or falling off. Skipping wear for a full day isn’t likely to damage them, but consistently leaving aligners out increases this risk. Time may need to be spent re-bonding loosened or lost attachments.
Oral Health Problems
Lastly, foregoing Invisalign aligners daily can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues. Aligners are impervious to cavity-causing bacteria and food particles. When they are out of the mouth for longer stretches, your teeth are more exposed.
Be sure to thoroughly brush and floss whenever aligners are out to clear away plaque buildup. Without consistent aligner wear, the teeth and gums are more prone to inflammation, infection, and cavities.
When Is It Okay to Take Them Out?
Generally speaking, it’s smart to follow your orthodontist or dentist’s instructions about Invisalign wear time. But once in awhile, removing aligners for a full day is unlikely to derail your progress.
As long as 24-hour break days are only occasional, they will probably not impact your treatment plan length or effectiveness. Just be sure to put your aligners back in as soon as possible.
Some examples of situations where a day without aligners may be acceptable include:
- Weddings or photoshoots
- Job interviews
- Special occasions like graduations or performances
- Vacations or trips
- Sports games or other athletic events
For short events of just a few hours, you can simply remove aligners for that time period and replace afterward. But for all-day affairs, it’s understandable to want to keep aligners out. Just don’t make a habit of it.
Tips for Full Days Without Aligners
If you do end up going aligner-free for 24 hours, follow these tips to protect your teeth and prevent major backsliding:
- Brush and floss frequently when aligners are out to control bacteria and plaque.
- Avoid sticky, sugary foods that can stick to teeth and attract decay.
- Stick to healthy foods like vegetables, cheese, or nuts.
- Rinse with water after eating to wash away food particles.
- Don’t drink dark sodas, coffee, or red wine, which can stain teeth.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Avoid chewing gum, opening packages with your teeth, or other behaviors that could damage teeth.
- Put aligners back in as soon as the event is over.
What If You Go Longer Without Aligners?
Okay, so skipping Invisalign wear for one full day here and there is no reason to panic. But what if you go even longer without wearing your aligners? Maybe a vacation made it impossible to keep up with the 22 hours per day recommendation.
Studies show that after about two weeks without any aligner wear, most of the progress with that set reverses completely. Your teeth essentially slip back to where they started prior to switching into that aligner.
Does this mean that the entire Invisalign treatment is doomed? Not necessarily. But significant delays in wear time do mean that specific aligner sets lose their effectiveness. Additional sets may need to be added at the end of treatment to make up for lost ground.
The best thing to do is speak with your orthodontist. Be honest about how long it’s been since you’ve worn your aligners. They can assess your current situation, determine if additional aligners are needed, and get you back on track.
Ways to Stay on Track
Adhering to Invisalign’s 22-hour per day wear protocol is the best way to stay on pace and avoid setbacks. But life happens, and exceptions are occasionally necessary. Here are some tips to stay on track with your treatment plan:
Communicate With Your Provider
If you need to deviate from the recommended wear schedule, touch base with your orthodontist or dentist first. They can advise you on the best course of action and adjust your timeline if needed.
Stick to the Schedule Whenever Possible
Make following your provider’s instructions a top priority. The more consistent you can be about wearing your aligners, the smoother your treatment will go.
Request Additional Aligners
Ask your orthodontist for a few extra sets at the start of treatment. Having bonus aligners on hand gives you some wiggle room if you fall behind schedule.
Be Extra Diligent After a Break
If you go a day or more without aligners, be committed to sticking closely to the 22-hour protocol moving forward. Additional diligence can make up for lost time.
Use Reminder Apps
Set reminders on your phone or smartwatch to help remember when it’s time to put aligners back in. Apps like Alight can track wear time and send alerts.
Schedule Progress Checks
Routine orthodontist appointments to check your teeth’s movement allows providers to get you back on track if needed.
Invisalign Alternatives
If you’ve tried to stick to Invisalign’s wear schedule but struggle with the long durations, there are some alternatives to discuss with your orthodontist.
Clear Correct
ClearCorrect aligners are molded to shift teeth into place similar to Invisalign. Recommended wear time is only 10 to 15 hours per day, so they may be more suited to your lifestyle.
Traditional Braces
Standard metal braces don’t require removal for eating or brushing. So you don’t have to worry about tracking wear time. However, they are less esthetic and rub against the mouth.
Lingual Braces
Braces attached to the back of teeth are nearly invisible. But they may irritate the tongue, cause speech issues, and won’t allow you to remove them in certain situations.
Ceramic Braces
Clear ceramic braces blend in more than metal ones but still don’t require removal. They are prone to staining and are somewhat visible.
SmileDirectClub
This mail-order clear aligner company doesn’t require in-office visits. But clinical oversight is more limited compared to Invisalign.
Key Takeaways
- It’s best to stick to Invisalign’s guidelines of 20-22 hours of daily aligner wear whenever possible.
- On rare occasions, it’s unlikely that removing aligners for a full 24 hours will majorly impact treatment.
- Taking aligners out regularly for full days can slow progress and require new sets to be added.
- Communicate with your orthodontist about any needed break days.
- Be extra diligent about wearing your aligners going forward after a day without them.
- Other aligner options like ClearCorrect may work better with your lifestyle.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, one sporadic day without your Invisalign trays probably won’t cause any lasting problems. But be cautious about making a habit of it, as multiple consecutive days without aligners can hinder your progress. Check with your provider about any needed accommodations, and focus on sticking to the recommended wear schedule whenever you can.