Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to wear aligners during both daytime and nighttime. Recent advances in orthodontic care have resulted in the development of special night-time aligners that can only be worn overnight for effective results. By wearing one of these aligners at night-time only, you can still get perfect teeth without having to commit to a full 24/7 alignment regimen.
This article delves into the advantages and disadvantages of night aligners for teeth and explores the distinctions between them and the all-day versions.
Night Time Aligners Versus All Day
Nighttime invisible aligners have revolutionized orthodontic treatment, providing a discreet option for both adults and teenagers looking to achieve straighter teeth.
Unlike traditional aligners, night aligners are worn only during sleep for a period of around 10 to 12 hours, making them more convenient for those who do not want to wear aligners throughout the day. This also means they do not need to be removed while eating or drinking or cleaned afterwards.
However, the trade-off is that night aligners tend to take longer to show results than day aligners. On average, the treatment time for night aligners is between 8 to 10 months, compared to day aligners which can take as little as 4 to 6 months.
Moreover, night aligners are suitable for correcting minor malocclusions, while day aligners can correct slightly more severe conditions. It is important to note that all types of clear aligners are not suitable for serious teeth straightening issues and are best suited to mild to mid problems.
An article from the National Library of Medicine states that clear aligners provide a comfortable and convenient option for fixing teeth issues in mild to moderate conditions.
See our Night vs All-Day Aligners Comparison.
Pros of Wearing Aligners at Night Only
Nobody Can See or Know
One of the main advantages of overnight teeth aligners is their high level of discretion. Unlike traditional metal braces or even clear aligners worn during the day, nighttime aligners are virtually invisible. This means that users can straighten their teeth without drawing attention to their treatment.
No Need to Worry About Eating and Drinking
One of the best benefits of overnight teeth aligners is that you don’t have to worry about what you eat or drink. With other forms of teeth straightening, there are often tight restrictions on what types of food and drink can be consumed, such as avoiding hard foods or candies.
With night aligners most of the time they are worn when you are sleeping so unlike daytime aligners you do not need to remove them when you are eating and drinking or clean them and your mouth afterward.
Doesn’t Require Orthodontist Visits
Nighttime aligners are a popular option for those with busy schedules who want to achieve straighter teeth. Traditional orthodontic treatments, such as braces, require frequent orthodontist visits for adjustments, which can be time-consuming and disruptive to daily life. However, with nighttime aligners, patients can avoid these visits altogether, making it a convenient option for those who want to straighten their teeth without disrupting their daily routine.
No Need to Change Your Daily Routine
Another significant advantage of nighttime aligners is that they offer more freedom compared to traditional braces or daytime aligners. This is because the aligners are removable and only need to be worn at night, allowing the wearer to go about their daily routine without any interruptions. With traditional braces, wearers have to be cautious about what they eat, avoiding foods that could damage or get stuck in the brackets and wires.
However, with nighttime aligners, you can continue to enjoy your favorite foods without any restrictions and you never need to worry about taking them out when playing sports.
Cons of Wearing Night Time Aligners
For Minor Misalignments Only
Overnight clear aligners may be a convenient and cost-friendly solution to minor misalignments such as crowding or spacing. However, it has its drawbacks, overnight aligners are not suitable for more complicated orthodontic cases which require a professional’s attention.
This makes night time only aligners unpopular as a viable option for those who have more serious misalignments, making the traditional methods of braces the only realistic option for complex cases.
See our article: Snaggle Tooth Before and After.
Longer Treatment
Treatment times tend to be longer than other types of dental aligners with average treatment lasting 8 to 10 months. This is because overnight aligners require gradual, consistent force overnight to move the teeth, which can add extra months to your treatment timeline.
More Uncomfortable
Nighttime invisible aligners are typically thicker than daytime versions as they require extra force to guide teeth into proper alignment. This additional bulkiness may cause irritation in the mouth, resulting in rubbing and soreness along the inside of the cheeks and lips.
This discomfort can be particularly pronounced during the first few days of wearing a new set of aligners or after switching to a different aligner tray. Patients may experience some tenderness and soreness as their mouth adjusts to the new aligner, but this should improve with time.
See our article: Can I Wear my Aligners at Night Only?
Which Providers Offer Night Aligners?
Smile Direct Club
Their night aligners take roughly 8 to 10 months for full completion of treatment, but with their all-day product, you can achieve your desired results in as little as 4 to 6 months.
One of the benefits of this provider’s night version aligner is that it only needs 10 hours of wear during sleep as opposed to 22 hours continuously throughout the day with the daytime version, allowing an even more discreet approach.
However, each device has identical pricing ($2,050), so the decision of which route you should take should come down solely to the type and scope of care you need.
Both the daytime and night aligner purchase comes with free shipping and a lifetime guarantee, as well as a bonus: a complimentary sample of premium tooth whitening.
See our review of SmileDirectClub.
Byte At-Night
Byte At-Night is not only crafted from medical-grade material designed for night use only but when paired with HyperByte technology your treatment time and any discomfort that comes along with it can be reduced.
Byte’s all-day aligner product has an average treatment time of 3 to 4 months and must be worn for 22 hours a day, whereas the night version takes an average of 5 to 6 months with wear of 10 hours at night. Each set of aligners that are issued on either the day or night version will need to be replaced after one week of use.
The other difference between both products is the price. With Byte their night aligners cost around $400 more ($2,399) based on a one-time payment than the daytime version. Monthly payments are also higher for the nighttime version. A HyperByte device is included with both products and an end-of-treatment retainer too.
Both options provide excellent treatment, but the night version comes at a higher cost. It all depends on how much importance is placed upon aesthetics and the severity of misalignment when it comes to selecting a product that’s right for you.
See our review of Byte.
AlignerCo
This brand’s NightOnly Clear Aligners provide a quick and convenient path to straighter smiles without sacrificing your daily routine. With 10+ hours of wear per day, versus the 22+ hours of the daytime version, you can enjoy eating meals or taking part in activities comfortably knowing that the aligner won’t need to be removed or teeth cleaned after eating, so the overall routine is easier to follow.
Their night aligners cost around $200 more than the all-day version costing $945. With both options, you also receive a free retainer and teeth whitening kit.
By wearing their clear aligners only at night, you can expect a treatment time of between 6 to 8 months which is longer than the daytime version at 4 to 6 months.
Although AlignerCo’s night aligner product is cheaper than other brands it is a more expensive option than their day version and overall treatment time is longer.
See our review of AlignerCo.
NewSmile
The average time of treatment with their night aligners is 8 to 10 months which is longer than the all-day version at 4 to 6 months. The cost of their nighttime product is more than the all-day version although the difference is minimal.
This brand offers both day and night aligners which include free retainers and a whitening kit and free shipping too.
The night aligners offered cannot fix all of the same issues that the daytime version can and the difference in treatment time means that the decision on which option to choose should be made with both factors in mind.
See our review of NewSmile.
Are Nighttime Aligners Effective?
Nighttime aligners are a good treatment option for night time teeth straightening for those who have major concerns over the aesthetic appearance of wearing braces or other straightening treatment appliances.
If you are not ready to wear any visible teeth straightening products during the day, nighttime aligners offer a suitable solution against all other types of treatment, particularly when compared to the fact that you cannot wear braces at night only with other types of traditional treatments.
However, it is important to note that nighttime aligners are most effective for minor cases such as small gaps between the front teeth. They may not provide the desired results for moderate to severe dental cases. In such instances, all-day clear aligners should be used instead, as they apply more gentle and consistent pressure for a longer duration of time. Overall, choosing the most appropriate aligner type depends on the specific needs and goals of each patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Night Aligners Cost More than Standard Ones?
With most brands, a night aligner is a slightly more expensive option, but they both offer the same added value such as a free retainer, teeth whitening kit, and free delivery.
How Long Does the Night Time Aligners Treatment Last?
The treatment time of nighttime aligners varies depending on the brand used. As an average night-time aligner treatment takes around 8 to 10 months compared to day-time aligners which take an average of 4 to 6 months.
Can I Switch from Daytime to Nighttime Aligners During the Treatment?
If you are recommended to wear aligners for 22 hours per day it is not advisable to opt for or switch to a nighttime version only. Night-time aligners only treat very mild teeth conditions.
Can I Wear Nighttime Aligners During the Day?
Nighttime aligners are made of a more premium material that is thicker and designed solely for use overnight. It is not advised to wear these during the day as you can not only damage the aligner but make the issue with your teeth worse.
Are Nighttime Aligners Safe?
Most nighttime aligner brand products are FDA-approved and the materials used are safe to use in your mouth. It is not possible to accidentally swallow any aligner.
