Invisalign is likely to come up when you’re considering treatments for your teeth. After all, it is one of the most popular treatments in modern orthodontics to correct bite problems and other alignment issues such as crooked teeth or gaps between teeth.
One of the first things you might wonder is how long will the treatment last. The time Invisalign takes to shift your teeth into the correct alignment varies from one case to another. But of course, there are specific factors that affect treatment time with Invisalign.
In the following article, we will take you through all of these factors and help you understand what you should expect from the treatment time.
How long does invisalign take on average?
Generally speaking, the treatment time of Invisalign can last anywhere between 6 months to 18 months. But these values are just the average of the treatment time between patients. So some complex cases of crowding, spacing, or malocclusions, may require more time.
While the timeline might seem long, it’s often shorter than traditional braces for mild and moderate cases. Your doctor will plan your treatment carefully using the advanced technologies that come with Invisalign such as 3D imaging.
3D imaging will allow your doctor to customize your series of clear aligners that you will wear at different stages of your treatment. Every 2 weeks, your dentist will replace your trays with a tighter fit to accommodate and encourage the right changes happening in your mouth. Every aligner makes a small adjustment, and your teeth steadily align as you move through the series.
How invisalign works over time
Invisalign works similar to traditional braces, by applying gentle pressure to your teeth. The bed that holds the root of your tooth in the jaw will respond to this pressure and move accordingly.
Your teeth require consistent pressure to continue changing, that is why you will need to change your aligner every 2 weeks or as your dentist advises. Each aligner will apply pressure in different areas and by the time you reach the final aligner, your teeth should be in their ideal position.
The process begins with a detailed consultation where your orthodontist evaluates your teeth and takes digital scans. These scans help create a 3D model of your mouth and show how your teeth will move throughout the treatment. You’ll even be able to see a virtual preview of your final smile before you start wearing aligners.
Factors that affect treatment time with invisalign
1- Complexity of your case
The factor that has the biggest say in how fast your treatment progresses is the complexity of your dental problems. Minor cases of crowding and spacing will respond really well and quickly to treatment. You can expect results in as little as 6 months in some cases. Those cases require fewer aligners to achieve the desired results.
On the other hand, more complicated cases such as overbite, underbite, or severe crowding, will require more movement and more aligners to achieve the right results. One study finds that braces work faster on very severe cases.
If you would like to know whether Invisalign would be the right treatment choice for you, consult our medical specialists. In a free online consultation, our specialists will help you understand your case better.
2- Commitment to wearing times
Because the Invisalign is removable, many people tend to forget to wear them after taking them off. While that is a great advantage that allows you more comfort when eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth, you have to be responsible and wear your Invisalign as your doctor instructs.
You need to wear your aligners for a total of 20 to 22 hours per day. Forgetting to commit to wearing your aligners will make your treatment last even longer. That is because if you don’t wear them consistently, your teeth won’t move as planned, which can extend the overall treatment time.
If you’re forgetful, you can consider compliance indicators. These are small blue dots built into the aligners. The color fades over time when you wear your aligners anywhere between 20–22 hours a day. While the compliance indicator is a physical tool, apps like My Invisalign can complement it by tracking wear time and sending reminders to ensure patients stay on schedule.
3- Attending your dental appointments
Cgnaging your trays and attending your appointments are both very crucial to shortening your treatment time. Invisalign changes the positioning of your teeth by applying pressure. Every few weeks, your doctor needs to provide you with a tighter tray to make sure your teeth continue moving.
Regular appointments with your orthodontist also monitor your progress every 6 to 8 weeks. Your dentist needs to evaluate how you’re responding to treatment to make any additional adjustments if necessary.
4- Age
Invisalign works for both teens and adults, but the treatment time can vary slightly between the two groups. For teens, and because they are still growing, their teeth may move more quickly, shortening treatment time.
For adults, the treatment length depends more on the condition of the teeth and how consistently they wear their aligners.
5- Maintenance and oral hygiene
You need to practice good oral hygiene to avoid cavities from food build-up around your teeth and aligners. Inflammation, cavities, and other dental problems can cause complications that will delay your results.
Therefore, you need to clean both your teeth and the aligners, keeping them clean and comfortable to wear.
Post-Treatment Care and Maintenance
Once you finish your treatment with Invisalign and you achieve the smile of your dreams, you will have to do some minor maintenance to make the results you achieved last a lifetime.
Because the teeth have a natural tendency to shift back into their original positions, you’ll need to wear a retainer to maintain your results. Initially, your dentist will ask you to wear your retainers full-time. However, you will eventually but gradually only have to wear them at night.
The Takeaway
Invisalign is a highly effective option for straightening teeth, with treatment times ranging from a few months to over a year. Mild and moderate cases will respond the quickest to treatment, whereas more complex cases of crowding or overbite will need more work and time.
The key to a successful treatment is wearing your aligners consistently, attending regular orthodontic check-ups, and following all instructions from your doctor.
If you have any further questions you can contact our dentists at the Europe-Awards-winning Dentakay.