As you start ClearCorrect, you’ll likely feel excited about the treatment. It’s only natural – your trays should straighten your smile in just a year or so! Having said that, the clear aligner process isn’t effortless; you’ll need to meet your ClearCorrect wear time to have successful care. The good news is your Ledgewood dentist can help you do exactly that. So, here’s a primer on the ClearCorrect wear time and great tips on how to meet it.
ClearCorrect Has a Wear Time?
While ClearCorrect trays are removable, that doesn’t mean you can use them as you please. They’ll only work well if they stay on your smile for roughly 20-22 hours daily.
Don’t forget: Clear aligners are only effective when they connect with your teeth. To slowly shift your smile, they must exert force on your pearly whites for an extended period. That only happens if and when the trays are worn near-constantly, day in and day out. In fact, it’s to the point that patients should only remove them for meals and teeth cleaning.
If you don’t stick to your ClearCorrect wear time, your treatment will face major delays. There’s a good chance your teeth will return to their earlier positions, making alignment take longer.
Tips on Meeting ClearCorrect’s Wear Time
Fortunately, meeting your wear time is possible with the right tips and tricks. Just consider doing the following during treatment:
- Only Remove Trays for Meals – To avoid wiggle room for snacks or teeth cleaning, only remove your trays for meals. You can take them out for 15 minutes at breakfast, 30 minutes at lunch, and 60 minutes at dinner.
- Make an Aligner Routine – After every meal, make it a routine to brush, floss, and re-insert your trays.
- Put Trays in Water – Put your trays in cold water (with cleaning crystals) before and during dinner. By doing so, the aligners will be ready to go in your mouth when you’re done eating.
- Switch Trays Before Bed – Consider switching to a new set of trays before bed. With that approach, you’d be less tempted to remove them due to pain.
- Set Phone Reminders – If you’re tech-savvy, you could track your wear time with a smartphone app. Some applications even monitor time changes throughout the day.
For more help meeting your ClearCorrect wear time, talk to your treating dentist. They’ll gladly offer guidance on the matter!
About the Practice
McCleaster Family Dental is based in Ledgewood, NJ. Led by Dr. Michael McCleaster, our practice makes comprehensive dentistry its main and overarching goal. Patients can trust us to provide preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments tailored to their unique smiles. Our team will make your teeth and gums healthier and prettier than ever through these procedures! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (973)-598-0800.