Do you want to achieve a beautiful, straight smile but don’t want to wear braces or aligners all day? Nighttime aligners could be an option, and they require much less daily wear time than traditional daytime aligners. Northern Virginia Orthodontics is the top Invisalign provider in the nation, and we can help you determine which treatment option is best for you.
Do Nighttime Teeth Aligners Work?
Nighttime teeth aligners can be the perfect solution for some patients. Dive into all the details below to learn how nighttime aligners work and when they might be the best choice.
How Teeth Aligners Work
Both daytime and nighttime teeth aligners work the same way. The aligners put gentle pressure on the teeth, and this pressure causes the teeth to move over time. The body breaks down the bone material in the jaw to allow the teeth to move into their new position. At the same time, new bone material is created that fills in the space left by the moving tooth.
The main difference between daytime and nighttime teeth aligners is the length of time they are worn each day. Daytime aligners are typically worn for about 22 hours each day. They are only removed to eat, drink, or brush your teeth. On the other hand, nighttime aligners are worn only about 10 hours each day. Most of this time occurs overnight while you are sleeping. While wearing the aligners for less time each day can sound appealing, that also means the treatment will take longer because the teeth will not move as quickly.
What Conditions Can Nighttime Aligners Treat?
Nighttime aligners can be a great option for patients who want to be more discreet with their treatment. However, this solution will not work for every condition. Since these aligners are only worn about 10 hours each day, they can only be used to treat minor misalignments. Typically, nighttime aligners are best suited for treating mild gaps or mild overcrowding. Additionally, mild overjet issues and misalignment of a single tooth can be treated successfully with nighttime aligners. However, more severe conditions like major misalignments, overbite, underbite, or crossbite will need to be treated with either traditional braces or daytime aligners.
Treatment Duration With Nighttime Aligners
One of the first things that most patients want to know is how long their treatment will take. Since nighttime aligners are only worn for about 10 hours each day, treatment with this type of solution will take longer than using daytime aligners, which are worn for about 22 hours each day. In most cases, treatment with nighttime aligners lasts approximately 10 – 12 months. On the other hand, treatment of mild conditions with daytime aligners can be completed in as few as 6 months.
Pros And Cons Of Nighttime Teeth Aligners
Nighttime aligners have several benefits, but they also come with a few drawbacks. First, nighttime aligners are very discreet, and they rarely interfere with your day-to-day activities. Most people will never even know you wear them, and you don’t have to worry about taking them out to eat since they are only worn at night. However, nighttime aligners work slowly, so your treatment will last longer. They cannot be used to treat more severe alignment issues, and they are more expensive than daytime aligners. You should talk to your orthodontist about which solution is best for your situation.
Schedule Your Teeth Alignment Appointment Today
Nighttime teeth aligners can be a great way to discreetly obtain the smile of your dreams! Schedule an appointment today at Northern Virginia Orthodontics to get a treatment plan that works for you and determine whether nighttime aligners are your best option. Our professional and friendly staff makes sure that you are comfortable and taken care of at each and every appointment. Call us today to get started!