Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional metal braces because of its almost invisible appearance. While both aim to straighten your misaligned teeth to achieve a more beautiful smile, they have differences in how the process works.
One of these is that you can remove your Invisalign trays whenever necessary. Does this mean you could remove your Invisalign while sleeping because you want to give your teeth a break? Read on to find out more about why you shouldn’t.
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What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a system of clear plastic aligners custom-made for your teeth. These aligner trays are worn over your teeth like a mouth guard and gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. They are made of flexible and biocompatible material, which means they are comfortable to wear and will not cause any irritation.
The length of treatment depends on how complex your dental case is, but it typically takes around 12 to 18 months. Patients are advised to wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day to achieve desirable results.
Why Should I Wear Invisalign While Sleeping?
Invisalign moves your teeth by applying pressure. Without constant pressure, your treatment duration will lengthen. Wearing your Invisalign at night applies a gentle force on your teeth, which helps move them into the desired position. You may feel like you don’t need to wear Invisalign while sleeping since you are already wearing them during the day, but it is essential to maintain the pressure on your teeth to prevent your treatment from stalling.
Also, you shouldn’t worry about discomfort when wearing your Invisalign at night because no metals or wires can cut or irritate your gums and cheeks like traditional braces. In fact, if you don’t wear your Invisalign while sleeping, you may feel pain when you wear them again because your teeth may have shifted back to their original position due to not wearing them for a long period of time.
In addition, your Invisalign aligners may act as a barrier between teeth if you have bruxism or clenching and grinding at night.
How Should I Sleep With Invisalign?
When wearing your Invisalign at night, consider the following tips so that you can sleep comfortably without worrying about them falling out:
- Wear your Invisalign properly.
Make sure that your trays fit your teeth well. Wearing them improperly can do more harm than good. - Brush your teeth and clean your Invisalign before wearing them at night.
If you sleep for 6-8 hours, your teeth will be encased in the aligner for the same duration. This means bacteria on your teeth and aligners will be left undisturbed, which can cause tooth decay. To reduce this risk, brush your teeth and clean your aligners to remove plaque or food debris that may be left behind. - Drink water before sleeping.
Aligners can cause patients to have dry mouths, especially while sleeping. A patient with a dry mouth has a higher risk of tooth decay. To prevent this, drink water before sleeping and have a glass of water on your bedside, so you can drink it in case you wake up in the middle of the night. - Sleep on your back.
Consider this position when you sleep with Invisalign. This prevents your pillow from putting pressure on your face and shifting your Invisalign. - Sleep facing upward.
During the first few nights of wearing your plastic aligners, you may notice that your mouth is slightly open while sleeping, and you may drool. To avoid this, sleep facing upward with your head elevated.
Final Thoughts
Invisalign is an effective orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth without using metals, wires, and rubber bands in your mouth. But it is important to wear your Invisalign aligners for 20-22 hours a day to achieve desirable results in the shortest possible timeframe. This means that you should also sleep with Invisalign aligners on. Consider the tips above to minimise discomfort and keep your Invisalign aligners in place while you sleep.
If you are considering this treatment, contact us to book an appointment.
Burwood Dental Care is a state-of-the-art dental clinic with a team of dentists with years of experience providing Invisalign treatment services. When you come for a consultation, one of the dentists will assess your teeth, gums, and jaw and take a digital scan to help them develop a personalised treatment plan. They will sit down with you and help you understand the steps involved in the process, including how long it will take and what to expect during each stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wearing Invisalign trays should not hurt. You may experience mild pain or discomfort on the first couple of days as your teeth adjust to the trays. This is normal and will go away on its own.
In some cases, your Invisalign attachments may fall off. If this happens, call your dentist immediately so they can reattach them. Do not try to reattach the attachments on your own, as this may damage your teeth.
As mentioned, Invisalign removable aligners can make your mouth open when you sleep during the first few nights of wearing them. This is normal and should resolve as you get used to wearing the trays.