How Many Hours a Day Are You Supposed To Wear Invisalign Braces For?

You should normally wear your Invisalign aligners for 20–22 hours every day to keep your treatment on track and achieve the best results. 

This means wearing them during the day and while you sleep, and only taking them out for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing and flossing. 

Invisalign recommends 20–22 hours of daily wear, although your dentist or orthodontist may give you specific instructions for your treatment. 

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Key takeaways

• Aim to wear your Invisalign aligners for 20–22 hours every day, including while you sleep.

• Remove your aligners for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing and flossing, and put them back in afterwards. 

• If you regularly miss the recommended wear time, speak to your dentist or orthodontist rather than trying to change your treatment schedule yourself.

Do you need to wear Invisalign whilst sleeping?

Yes, you should wear your Invisalign aligners while sleeping because the recommended 20–22 hours of daily wear includes the hours you spend in bed.

Keeping your aligners in overnight allows them to continue applying gentle pressure to your teeth while you sleep. Taking them out for several hours each night could reduce the amount of time your teeth are being guided into their planned positions.

Invisalign recommends wearing aligners for 20–22 hours each day, so sleeping with them is an important part of maintaining this routine. 

Should I take out my Invisalign aligners whilst eating?

Yes, you should take your Invisalign aligners out before eating because food can become trapped underneath the aligners and may cause staining or increase the risk of tooth decay.

You should also remove your aligners when drinking anything other than plain water. Once you have finished eating, it is best to brush your teeth and clean your aligners before putting them back in.

Since Invisalign aligners are removable, you can eat your normal foods without the restrictions often associated with fixed braces. 

Should I take out my Invisalign trays during sport or physical activity?

You can remove your Invisalign aligners during sport or physical activity when necessary, although you should put them back in as soon as possible afterwards.

Invisalign states that aligners can be removed for activities such as playing sport or for special occasions. However, because you should aim for 20–22 hours of wear each day, keeping removal time as short as possible is sensible.

For contact sports, you should follow your dentist's advice about whether you need additional protection, such as a mouthguard.

Can I take out my Invisalign aligners to play an instrument?

You can take out your Invisalign aligners to play an instrument if they make playing uncomfortable or affect your technique. 

Where possible, you should be wearing your Invisalign all day, so try to keep the time without your aligners as short as possible and put them back in when you have finished playing.

If you play regularly, speak to your dentist or orthodontist about the best approach for your treatment plan.

What happens if you do not wear your Invisalign tray for the full 20-22 hours each day?

If you regularly wear your Invisalign aligners for less than the recommended 20–22 hours, your treatment may not progress as planned and could take longer.

Invisalign treatment works by applying consistent pressure to gradually move your teeth. Removing your aligners for too long reduces the time they are actively working on your teeth.

Missing the target occasionally is unlikely to ruin your treatment, but regularly leaving your aligners out for long periods can make it harder to stay on schedule. If an aligner stops fitting properly or you notice that your teeth are not tracking as expected, speak to your dentist or orthodontist. 

Can I make up for it if I do not wear my Invisalign aligners as planned?

You should not try to make up for missed Invisalign wear time by wearing your aligners for longer than your dentist has instructed, because the most important thing is to return to your normal daily routine.

If you have left your aligners out for several hours, put them back in as soon as you can and continue following your treatment plan. You should not automatically move on to the next aligner simply because you have missed some wear time.

If you have repeatedly missed several hours, contact your Invisalign dentist or orthodontist for advice. They can check how your treatment is progressing and tell you whether you should continue with your current aligner for longer.