Clear aligner systems, such as the one from ClearCorrect, are convenient because you can remove your aligners to eat and attend to your oral hygiene. However, in order for your treatment to be successful, you have to keep ClearCorrect in your mouth for 20 – 22 hours each day (the closer to 22 hours, the better). That might seem like a challenging task. After all, 22 hours equates to more than 90% of your time each day! However, you can be confident in your ability to meet the required wear time. This blog post explains why you should be committed to wearing your aligners and how you can make sure you keep them in your mouth long enough for them to do their job.
Why Is the 22-Hour Rule So Important?
Orthodontic treatments work by applying sustained pressure to the teeth. Gradually, that pressure moves the teeth into their proper positions. Every time you remove your ClearCorrect aligners, that pressure stops, and your treatment’s progress gets put on pause.
If you consistently fail to meet your 22-hour wear time, you might find that when you switch to a new aligner, it feels unusually tight and uncomfortable. You might even reach the point where your aligners do not fit at all! You could end up delaying the final results of your orthodontic treatment.
How to Keep Your Aligners in Your Mouth 22 Hours a Day
Here are some practical ideas to help you be consistent with your ClearCorrect wear time:
- Time your meals. If having a big breakfast is not important to you, try to remove your aligners for only 15 minutes or so each morning so you can have a quick meal and brush your teeth. You can allocate 30 minutes for lunch and 60 minutes for a leisurely dinner. That 60 minutes should also be enough time for you to take care of your nightly oral hygiene.
- Make sure you eat enough. If you do not eat enough calories at your three main meals, you will be more tempted to snack throughout the day, which can cut into your wear time. Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, and dinner so they are large enough to sustain you for several hours. Your meals should also be balanced; fiber, protein, and fat are all important for long-term satiety.
- Try an app. Some patients download TrayMinder on their phone. It is designed to help clear aligner patients stay on track with treatment.
- Try to be efficient. When you remove your aligners at dinnertime, place them in a cleansing solution to soak for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Switch to new aligners at bedtime. When you transition to new aligners, they can cause some mild discomfort. Sleeping through the initial part of the adjustment period can help you resist the temptation to remove your aligners.
At first, keeping ClearCorrect in your mouth for 22 hours every day might seem like a daunting task, but you can do it. With a sense of commitment and a few good habits, you can be confident that your treatment will succeed.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Jordan Hardin leads the team at Westpark Village Dental of Plano. He combines his extensive knowledge and experience with empathy and compassion so that every patient feels welcome and well cared for. ClearCorrect clear aligners are among the many services he offers. If you have questions about the clear aligner treatment process, he and our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our office at 972-964-8989.