At Lawen Dentistry in Halifax, Dr. Danny Lawen, D.D.S., is a Blue Diamond Invisalign Provider (‘Blue Diamond’ Invisalign provider is a status awarded by Align Technology to dental practices that treat a high volume of patients, typically over 300 patients a year).
Key takeaways
- Wear your aligners 24 hours a day, removing them only for oral hygiene.
- Give every set of aligners its full assigned time before moving on.
- Keep aligners and teeth clean to protect your gums and progress.
- Attend your checkups and wear your retainer once treatment ends.
- Most Invisalign treatment takes 6 to 12 months when you stay consistent.
Quick Answer: What Slows Down Invisalign Treatment
The habits that most often slow Invisalign treatment are simple ones: not wearing your aligners enough, rushing ahead to the next set, losing or damaging aligners, letting oral hygiene slip, ignoring how your attachments fit, missing checkups, and skipping retainers afterward. Each of these adds days or weeks to your timeline.
The short list of habits that cause delays
- Wearing aligners for fewer than 24 hours a day.
- Moving to a new set of aligners before the current one has finished its job.
- Leaving aligners out for long stretches after losing or breaking them.
- Skipping brushing, flossing, or aligner cleaning.
- Not reporting attachments that feel loose or worn.
- Missing scheduled visits with your dental team.
- Forgetting your retainer once your aligners come off.
Why staying on schedule matters
Your teeth move a small, planned amount with each aligner. When you stay consistent, those movements build on one another smoothly. When you fall behind, teeth can drift back toward where they started, which may mean extra aligners, added appointments, and a longer wait for your finished smile. If you are exploring Invisalign in Halifax, understanding these habits early makes the whole process easier.
How Invisalign Works and What a Typical Timeline Looks Like
Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom aligners that gently guide your teeth into a new position over time. You wear each set for a set number of days, then move to the next one in the sequence.
How aligners move your teeth in stages
Each aligner is shaped slightly differently from the shape of your teeth today. That small difference applies gentle, steady pressure that moves teeth a little at a time. Research on clear aligner care shows that consistent wear is a major factor in predictable results, as noted in a review on the predictability of aligner treatment.
Treatment time of 6 to 12 months
Most people complete Invisalign in about 6 to 12 months, though every mouth is different. Simpler cases finish sooner, while more involved cases take longer. Your dental team maps out your full sequence before you begin so you know roughly what to expect.
What to expect between appointments
Between visits, you move through your aligners on the schedule your dentist gives you, usually one set every one to two weeks. You may feel light pressure for a day or two after starting a new set, which is a sign your teeth are responding. Checkups let your dentist confirm everything is tracking as planned.
Mistake 1: Not Wearing Your Aligners for 24 Hours a Day
The single most common reason treatment slows down is not wearing aligners for a full 24 hours a day. Aligners can only move your teeth while they are on, so every hour out is an hour of lost progress.
Why 24-hour wear time keeps you on track
Your aligners are designed to work around the clock. When they stay in, your teeth receive steady, uninterrupted pressure that follows the plan. When wear time drops, teeth may not reach the position the next aligner expects, which can throw off the whole sequence. A clinical guideline on effective aligner treatment highlights consistent wear as central to good outcomes.
Removing aligners only for oral hygiene
Keep your aligners in at all times, taking them out only when you brush and floss. Once your teeth and aligners are clean, put them right back in. Short, planned breaks for oral hygiene are all your teeth need, and returning your aligners promptly keeps your timeline steady.
Mistake 2: Skipping to the Next Set of Aligners Too Soon
Jumping to your next aligner before the current one has finished can undo progress. Each set is built to move teeth a specific distance over a specific number of days.
Why each set needs its full time
Your bone and gums need time to settle around teeth in their new spots. Rushing does not speed things up; it simply asks the next aligner to do work the current one has not completed yet.
How rushing can cause teeth to slip out of alignment
If you advance early, the next aligner may not seat fully, leaving small gaps between the plastic and your teeth. Those gaps mean teeth stop tracking with the plan and can drift, sometimes leading to added aligners. Follow the days your dentist assigns for each set, even when a new one feels ready.
Mistake 3: Losing or Damaging Your Aligners
Lost or cracked aligners create gaps in your wear time, and those gaps let teeth begin shifting back. The longer you go without a working aligner, the more progress you risk.
How gaps in wear time affect movement
Teeth do not stay still on their own during active treatment. A day or two without an aligner can allow small relapse, which may require stepping back to an earlier set. Call your dental team right away if an aligner is lost or damaged so they can guide your next step.
Storing aligners safely between cleanings
Always place your aligners in their case when they are out for cleaning. Wrapping them in a napkin is a common way they end up thrown out by mistake. A case keeps them clean, protected, and easy to find.
Keep the case with you
Carry your aligner case wherever you go so you always have a safe spot for them during oral hygiene.
Store away from heat
Hot water and direct sunlight can warp the plastic. Keep aligners at a cool room temperature.
Report problems early
Contact your dentist quickly if an aligner cracks or goes missing so you can stay on schedule.
Mistake 4: Poor Oral Hygiene During Treatment
Skipping proper cleaning can lead to plaque buildup that irritates your gums and puts your teeth at risk. Aligners hold liquids and debris against your teeth, so good habits matter more than ever.
How plaque buildup can affect gums and teeth
When plaque collects under aligners, it can inflame the gums and raise the chance of cavities. A study on aligners and oral health found that careful hygiene helps keep the mouth healthy during treatment. Strong daily care also supports the goals of preventative dentistry.
Cleaning your aligners the right way
Rinse your aligners each time they come out and gently clean them so they stay clear and fresh.
Use these
- A soft toothbrush kept for aligners
- Clear, mild soap or an aligner cleaning product
- Cool or lukewarm water for rinsing
- A clean storage case
Avoid these
- Hot or boiling water that warps plastic
- Colored or heavily scented soaps
- Abrasive toothpaste that scratches aligners
- Leaving aligners out in the open
Mistake 5: Ignoring Attachments and How They Fit
Attachments are small tooth-colored bumps that help your aligners grip and move teeth more precisely. Ignoring how they fit can quietly slow your progress.
What attachments do during treatment
These little shapes give your aligners something to push against for certain movements. Without them, some teeth would be harder to guide into place, which is one reason your dentist places them at specific spots.
Why a proper fit matters for results
If an attachment chips off or your aligner no longer snaps snugly over it, the planned movement can stall. Tell your dental team if an attachment feels rough, loose, or missing so it can be checked or replaced. Even small fit issues add up over a full treatment.
Mistake 6: Missing or Delaying Your Checkups
Regular visits let your dentist confirm your teeth are moving as planned and catch small issues before they grow. Missing them means problems can go unnoticed for weeks.
Why regular visits keep progress on schedule
At each appointment, your dentist compares your progress to the plan. If something is off, catching it early usually means a small adjustment rather than a major setback. Delayed visits let minor drift become a bigger correction.
What your dentist checks at each appointment
Your dentist looks at how your aligners are seating, whether attachments are intact, how your gums and teeth are doing, and whether you are ready for your next set. A review of aligner treatment notes that professional monitoring supports predictable results. If you are new to the practice, you can become a patient to get started.
Mistake 7: Skipping Retainers After Treatment
Finishing your aligners is not quite the finish line. Skipping your retainer is one of the easiest ways to lose the results you worked months to achieve.
Why teeth can shift after aligners come off
Teeth have a natural tendency to drift back toward their old positions in the weeks and months after treatment. A retainer holds them in their new alignment while everything settles for the long term.
Following your retainer instructions
Wear your retainer exactly as your dentist advises. Following your retainer instructions protects your smile and means you will not need to repeat treatment down the road.
Simple Habits That Help Keep Your Treatment on Track
Staying on schedule comes down to a few steady daily habits. Small routines make a real difference across your 6- to 12-month timeline.
A daily routine for smooth progress
- Keep your aligners in for a full 24 hours, taking them out only for oral hygiene.
- Brush and floss, then rinse and reinsert your aligners promptly.
- Store aligners in their case whenever they are out.
- Give each set its full assigned time before advancing.
- Wear your retainer once treatment is complete.
When to reach out to your dental team in Halifax
Contact your dental team if an aligner is lost or cracked, an attachment feels loose, an aligner will not seat properly, or you fall behind on wear time. You can also visit our Spring Garden location or call us at (902) 424-1888 with any questions along the way.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How many hours a day should I wear my Invisalign aligners?
Wear your Invisalign aligners 24 hours a day, taking them out only for brushing and flossing. Consistent wear gives your teeth the steady pressure they need to move on schedule, which helps keep your treatment on track.
Q: How long does Invisalign treatment usually take?
Most Invisalign treatment takes about 6 to 12 months. Simpler cases finish sooner and more involved cases take longer. Your dental team maps out your full sequence before you begin so you know what to expect.
Q: What happens if I do not wear my aligners enough?
If your aligners are out too often, your teeth may not reach the position your next set expects. This can cause aligners to fit poorly, allow teeth to drift, and lead to added aligners and a longer overall timeline.
Q: Can I switch to my next set of aligners early?
No. Each set is designed to move your teeth a set amount over a set number of days. Advancing early can leave gaps between the aligner and your teeth, which can slow progress and may require extra aligners. Follow the schedule your dentist gives you.
Q: How do I clean my Invisalign aligners properly?
Rinse your aligners each time they come out and gently clean them with a soft brush and mild, clear soap or an aligner cleaning product. Use cool or lukewarm water, avoid hot water and abrasive toothpaste, and store them in their case.
Q: Do I need to wear a retainer after Invisalign?
Yes. Teeth naturally tend to drift back toward their old positions after treatment. Wearing your retainer as instructed holds your new alignment in place and helps you keep the results you worked for.
A Halifax native, Dr. Danny Lawen, D.D.S., has built his career around a lifelong passion for dentistry. He studied Chemistry at Dalhousie University for his undergraduate degree, graduating with distinction, then continued at Dalhousie’s dental school, earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2003 and finishing fourth in his class. During his training, he took part in a dental implant elective and was honored with awards in periodontology and dental biomaterials.
After dental school, Dr. Lawen completed a general practice residency in London, Ontario, where he honed his skills in oral surgery, including wisdom tooth extractions. He then worked as an associate dentist at Cosmo Dental Centre in London before returning home to Halifax.
Dr. Lawen’s practice today centers on cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and Invisalign, and he’s continued building his expertise through advanced training at institutions such as the Kois Center, the Dawson Academy, and the Misch International Implant Institute, among others. He’s also pursued specialized instruction in oral plastic surgery and gum grafting, cosmetic restorative techniques, and Botox training.
He is a member of several professional organizations, including the Canadian Dental Association, the Nova Scotia Dental Association, and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. An Invisalign provider since 2006 at Lawen Dentistry in Halifax, Dr. Danny Lawen, D.D.S., is a Blue Diamond Invisalign Provider (a status awarded by Align Technology to dental practices that treat a high volume of patients, typically over 300 patients a year, reflecting the depth of experience he brings to every case).
Outside the office, Dr. Lawen is a family man and an active one – he enjoys travel, cycling, and basketball, and shares his life with his wife, Olivia, and their five children.
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At Lawen Dentistry in Halifax, Dr. Danny Lawen, D.D.S., is a Blue Diamond Invisalign Provider (‘Blue Diamond’ Invisalign provider is a status awarded by Align Technology to dental practices that treat a high volume of patients, typically over 300 patients a year).
Remember: Wear your aligners 24 hours a day, removing them only for brushing and flossing, and follow your dentist’s schedule for each set and your retainer.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for personal advice; please speak with your dentist about your own treatment.