{"id":185,"date":"2024-04-12T19:11:11","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T19:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chicagopedoortho.com\/blog\/?p=185"},"modified":"2024-05-24T19:13:00","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T19:13:00","slug":"22-hours-clear-aligners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chicagopedoortho.com\/blog\/2024\/04\/12\/22-hours-clear-aligners\/","title":{"rendered":"Can It Be Easier to Wear My Clear Aligners for 22 Hours a Day?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While traditional metal braces are a tried-and-true way to achieve a straighter smile, many prospective patients are hesitant to commit to a treatment that involves conspicuous and irremovable metal oral appliances and irksome dietary restrictions. Luckily, today\u2019s orthodontists<\/a> can often realign a smile using removable clear aligners. While it\u2019s great to be able to take them out, you\u2019ll need to wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours a day to keep your treatment on track. Here are a few tips to help you make sure you\u2019re wearing your aligners enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Do Clear Aligners Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each set of clear aligners is designed to be worn for about two weeks before the patient switches to the next one in the sequence. Each set picks up where the last one leaves off to shift the teeth into even better alignment, and these movements are spaced over months so that the patient experiences only minimal discomfort. Many patients report that, while they may feel tightness or pressure while adjusting to a new set of aligners, they do not feel any pain during treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do I Need to Wear My Clear Aligners for 22 Hours Daily?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since clear aligners work by exerting a gentle but constant pressure on the teeth to shift them into better positions, they need to be worn as much as possible to achieve the intended result. In fact, your teeth will immediately begin to shift back out of alignment as soon as you take your clear aligners out, meaning that it\u2019s important to spend as little time as possible not wearing them each day. Ideally, you will only remove your clear aligners for meals and oral hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Meet the 22-Hour Mark?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not meeting the recommended time for wearing your clear aligners can lead to greater discomfort during treatment or even costly delays. Here are a few tips to help you wear your aligners sufficiently each day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n