Assoc. Dr. Emre Cesur answers the frequently asked question, “How many hours a day should clear aligners be worn?” in clear aligner (wireless orthodontics) treatment, and shares the details of the ideal wearing time.
What is the Ideal Wearing Time Per Day?
Ideally, clear aligners should be worn for 21-22 hours, almost all day. The aligners should only be removed while eating and brushing your teeth.
Why Should Aligners Be Worn for So Long?
Tooth movement occurs with continuous and controlled force. If you remove the aligners frequently, this force is interrupted and the teeth begin to return to their old position; this causes the treatment to be prolonged. “Wouldn’t it be okay if I wore them for 15-16 hours a day?” The answer to that question is usually no because the system is not designed accordingly.
In short: If you want your clear aligner treatment to be successful, disciplined use is essential. The better you wear them, the faster and more consistent the results will be.