Do You Sleep With Invisalign In?

Invisalign is a system used to straighten teeth that is used all around the world. They gradually move your teeth into place using clear aligners made of SmartTrack, a flexible plastic made especially for this treatment.

The aligners are custom-made by your orthodontist by conducting a 3D scan of your mouth. They will then create a plan unique to you of how each tooth will be moved into position using your Invisalign aligners.

You can choose to get either a full or partial set. A partial set will only move the front teeth.

Your Invisalign tray will be replaced roughly every two weeks or whatever timeframe is suggested for you by your dentist.

Invisalign has helped improve over 14 million smiles, including 2 million teen smiles and they hope to help with many more.

So, should you sleep with your Invisalign in?

Advantages of Invisalign

There are so many benefits to using Invisalign liners such as:

The Invisalign is virtually invisible and unnoticeable on your teeth- it does not come with any brackets or wires, or the restrictions that come with metal braces.
The Invisalign can be removed during meal times and during sleep, whereas normal braces cannot be removed.
Invisalign aligners are easier to clean than normal braces.
Invisalign tends to be more comfortable than normal braces, as it applies less pressure to the teeth.
Wearing Invisalign requires fewer trips to the dentist than normal braces do.
If you wear normal braces, they can cause cuts inside your cheeks. With Invisalign, you won’t have this problem.
Invisalign removal is quick, easy and painless- whereas removal of normal braces is time-consuming and can cause discomfort and pain.
Invisalign allows you to view your treatment plan and virtual results before you have even started the treatment, so you will have a better idea of what your teeth are expected to look like after your Invisalign journey is over.

Disadvantages of Invisalign

Invisalign is not necessarily the correct choice for every patient, whether you are not eligible or you just don’t feel that it is right for you, your dentist should be able to offer you a suitable alternative.

There are a few disadvantages of Invisalign treatment that you should be aware of:

Invisalign is generally more expensive than getting normal braces.
You may forget to put in and take out your Invisalign each time, which may put you behind on your teeth straightening progress.
It requires effort to clean and maintain your Invisalign aligners and the trays that they are stored in. If you do not clean them properly, old food and bacteria could build up on them, which can stain and damage your aligners.
If you do not clean your Invisalign well enough, this increases your risk of cavities and bad breath.

The problems that could occur throughout Invisalign treatment are mainly down to not caring properly for your aligners. This means that Invisalign is best for those who can visit the dentist for check-ups and maintain a daily routine of cleaning and wearing them regularly.

At Didsbury Dental Practice we believe that Invisalign treatment is worth it so don’t let the few disadvantages put you off this option. Most patients that use Invisalign as their system for straightening their teeth get amazing results.

How much is Invisalign?

Usually, Invisalign costs anywhere between £1,500 and £5,500. You will need to talk to your orthodontist or dentist to find out what it will cost you exactly.

At Didsbury Dental Practice we offer clear aligners/invisible braces from £3950. We can also offer them at a monthly fee.

Click here to view our full list of dental fees. We believe that exceptional dental care shouldn’t discriminate and that is why we offer a range of finance options and payment plans to make all our dental treatments affordable, which now includes orthodontic treatments.

If you are interested in getting Invisalign, contact us to book your first consultation with one of our Invisalign dentists. We are more than happy to help!

Who should not get Invisalign?

Unfortunately, Invisalign is not going to be suitable for everyone, you may not be if of the following apply to you:

You still have baby teeth present in your mouth.
You do not yet have all your adult teeth.
You have false teeth or dentures.
You have severe gum inflammation or active gum disease.
You have an infection in your wisdom teeth.
Your wisdom teeth are preventing the Invisalign aligners from fitting correctly.
You have had certain teeth extracted.
You have had dental implants or a dental bridge.
You have improperly shaped teeth, which Invisalign aligners can’t fix, so a dental crown may be better for you instead.
You cannot commit to wearing the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day.
You cannot commit to cleaning your aligners and tray every day.
You are a heavy smoker- the tobacco and nicotine can stain your aligners and get trapped in your teeth.
You have Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), which is a condition affecting the movement of the jaw and the surrounding muscles. Patients usually experience pain, dysfunction and restricted movement in the jaw. The condition may cause side effects such as tenderness, headaches, limited ability to open the mouth, and tooth wear.

So should you sleep with your Invisalign in?

To get the desired results though, you must make sure that you are wearing your aligners for roughly 20 to 22 hours every day and your dentist or orthodontist will advise you on whether or not you should wear them whilst you sleep.

It is likely that they will advise you that you should sleep with your Invisalign aligners in for the best results. Sleeping without your aligners in can slow down your journey.

Some patients may complain that overnight they are drooling as a result of the aligners, a way to mitigate this is by sleeping on your back. Others have complained that they have a particularly dry mouth this could be due to sleeping with their mouth open. To help this you should keep a glass of water by the bed.

If you wear your Invisalign aligners whilst you sleep it will also prevent you from grinding your teeth at night which will help them to get into the correct position.

If you do decide to take out your aligners whilst you are sleeping then you should make sure to properly clean them before you put them back in again.

If you are unsure of this go to your dentist or orthodontist for advice.

How to clean your Invisalign

You must keep your Invisalign clear aligner clean and fresh. This will keep away food particles, dried saliva, any foul odours, plaque and harmful bacteria. You will also notice that if you do not look after your clear aligners and clean them as regularly as you should they will not be as clear anymore.

You should keep your Invisalign aligner clean with the following:

Rinse your Invisalign aligners and your Invisalign tray every time you remove the aligners from your mouth.
Soak your Invisalign at least once a day in a glass of denture cleaning solution, or Invisalign cleaning crystals.
Clean the aligners every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and antibacterial, unscented soap.
Don’t disinfect your Invisalign with boiling hot water- rather, use warm water instead.
Avoid cleaning your Invisalign with toothpaste or scented soaps, which will leave behind residue and an unpleasant taste.
When you take your Invisalign out of your mouth, don’t leave them out on a surface where there could be bacteria and dust. Store your Invisalign in an airtight case and keep them clean.
Avoid smoking while wearing Invisalign- this will stain your aligners and trap nicotine in your teeth.

What can you not do while wearing Invisalign?

There are instances when you should definitely make sure to take off your Invisalign aligners.

They should be removed when eating or drinking. Before you eat you should make sure to rinse your aligners and store them in an airtight container and away from surfaces that may have bacteria on them.

After eating you should make sure to brush your teeth thoroughly so as to make sure any and all food particles are no longer in your mouth when you replace your aligners.

To brush and floss your teeth you will also need to remove your Invisalign aligners. This will mean that you can properly get to your teeth and therefore properly lean them.

Didsbury Dental Practice

To learn more about Didsbury Dental Practice, visit our website here.

Click here to learn about our Invisalign treatment for adults and teenagers.

We offer a wide range of dental services, including teeth whitening, Alias lingual braces, Six Month Smiles Braces and Damon Clear Braces.

If you need an emergency appointment, call our dental emergency helpline on 0161 413 2835, or walk into our practice and we will aim to see you as soon as possible.

Visit our blog to read more articles on dental health such as ‘Can Invisalign Change Your Face Shape?’ and ‘What Is the Success Rate of Invisalign?’.

We hope this answered the question ‘Do you sleep with Invisalign in?’.