The practice of exclusively wearing Invisalign aligners during nighttime hours is a deviation from the standard prescribed treatment protocol. This method involves limiting aligner wear to the sleeping period, typically around 8 hours, rather than the recommended 20-22 hours per day. As an example, an individual might insert their aligners before bed and remove them upon waking, forgoing their use during daytime activities.
Adhering to the recommended wear time is crucial for successful orthodontic treatment with Invisalign. Consistent pressure over a sufficient duration is required to gradually shift teeth into their desired positions. Reduced wear time can significantly impede progress, potentially leading to prolonged treatment duration, suboptimal results, or the need for additional corrective measures. The original Invisalign system design and treatment plans are based on data collected from patients who followed the prescribed wear schedule. Deviating from this schedule compromises the efficacy and predictability of the treatment.