Teeth straightening has never been more convenient or accessible. With clear aligner technology, doctors can now deliver quality orthodontic treatment directly to patients without the need for in-person office visits.
When wearing clear aligners around the clock, there are some basic guidelines you need to follow. For example, you have to remove the aligners each time you:
- Eat
- Smoke
- Drink anything (other than water)
And you must clean your teeth each time before putting the aligners back in. These minor lifestyle adjustments are typically no big deal for someone that is motivated to improve their smile. Night-time-only treatment options provide the pinnacle of convenience for those that don’t like the sound of having to remove their aligners and brush their teeth each time they eat or drink. Most night-time plans require the patient to wear the aligners for a minimum of 10 consecutive hours each evening. Nothing could be easier.
Why doesn’t everyone choose a night-time-only option?
Because the added convenience does come at a cost:
- Time: Night-time-only treatments typically take at least twice as long. If you want results quickly, an all-day treatment is the way to go.
- Healthy teeth: Teeth prefer to move continuously. When moving forces are applied to teeth a process occurs wherein the bone is broken down on one side of the tooth and built up on the other side. It is essentially a healing process. Stop-start movements make it harder for the body to heal and are more stressful on the teeth and bones.
- Predictable outcomes: Continuous, mild pressure is the healthiest way for teeth to move. So around-the-clock treatment has the greatest likelihood of teeth will complying with the prescribed movements. Inconsistent aligner wear increases the possibility of teeth not tracking as predicted.
Night-time aligner therapy is a viable treatment option that has pros and cons. Many patients have achieved excellent outcomes with night-time-only treatment. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what you value most as a patient. If convenience is your main hot button, a night-time-only plan may be right for you. We typically recommend around-the-clock treatment options wherever possible. When around-the-clock wear isn’t possible, we encourage patients to wear their aligners as much as they can – not just the minimum 10 consecutive hours each day.
At Strayt® our primary goal is to make sure our patients are fully informed and understand all their treatment options. Complete this short dental assessment form for a no-cost consultation on your treatment options.
