Wearing clear aligners solely during nighttime hours represents a significant deviation from the prescribed treatment protocol for systems like Invisalign. These aligners are designed for near-constant wear, typically 20-22 hours per day, to exert consistent pressure on teeth and facilitate their gradual movement into the desired alignment. Reducing the wear time dramatically alters the force applied and extends the overall duration of the orthodontic process.
Adherence to the recommended wear schedule is crucial for achieving predictable and efficient results. The consistent pressure from aligners promotes bone remodeling around the teeth, enabling them to shift according to the treatment plan. Insufficient wear time can hinder this process, leading to stalled progress, compromised outcomes, and potentially requiring additional aligners or further corrective measures. Historically, orthodontic treatments have always emphasized consistent force application for optimal effectiveness.
