4 Things That Could Happen If You Remove Your Invisalign Trays Too Often

Invisalign will change your life in many ways. Once your treatment is complete, you'll have a smile you can be proud to show off. But before that time arrives, you'll need to have discipline if you are to get the most out of your Invisalign treatment. Although you can remove your Invisalign trays as often as you wish to, doing so too often could lead to some costly complications.

1. Your trays could crack or break

Invisalign trays are fragile. This means that if you remove them often, there is a chance that you could crack or break them. And if you remove them and something happens to them, you'll need to replace them. In both instances, you'll waste precious treatment time since each tray moves teeth a certain amount that is determined by a computer before your treatment starts.

2. Your attachments could break or come loose

Sometimes, Invisalign trays rely on attachments to make specific adjustments to teeth. For instance, if one of your teeth is rotated, your orthodontist will add an attachment to that tooth to allow the aligner to move that tooth into a better position. But if you keep removing your trays, you could break an attachment or dislodge one.

If this happens, you'll need to have those attachments replaced. Again, this takes time, and you might end up adding weeks or even months to your treatment time if you continue to break or dislodge your attachments.

3. Your teeth will become sore

Orthodontic treatment forces your teeth to move gradually. This makes them sore and uncomfortable, especially at first. But if you keep removing your aligners, the action of removing and replacing them will cause your teeth to become even more sore than usual. Not only that, but if you leave your trays out too long, your teeth will move back to their former positions.

4. You could lengthen your treatment time

To meet your treatment goals, you'll need to wear each tray for at least 22 hours a day. But if you keep removing your trays throughout the day and don't keep track of the time you have them out, you'll extend your treatment time beyond what it should be. Each tray moves teeth a certain amount. And if you keep a tray out for too long, that tray will take longer to achieve its target.

The success of Invisalign relies on your ability to keep your trays in for as long as is necessary. Remember this and plan your days accordingly. As long as you can manage at least 22 hours a day, your treatment will progress as planned by your dentist. Speak with a dentist for more information about Invisalign.