Plenty of individuals have used Invisalign to straighten their teeth and overcome their bite problems. However, before you begin your own Invisalign treatment, it’s important to know exactly what you’re committing to. You will need to wear your aligners regularly for a certain length of time in order to get the results you want. Here’s a brief look at what you can expect the Invisalign timeline to look like.
How Long Does Invisalign Normally Take?
Invisalign works by putting a small amount of pressure on your teeth, slowly but surely repositioning them so that they eventually reach their ideal alignment. This process often takes anywhere from 12 to 18 months, but some treatments may be shorter or longer depending on the circumstances.
What Factors Can Affect the Length of Invisalign Treatment?
There are a number of variables that can influence the length of the Invisalign process. Below are some particularly important factors that need to be taken into account:
- Severity of the Problem: Invisalign can often correct minor orthodontic issues in a matter of months. Meanwhile, severe issues can potentially take more than a year to treat.
- Age of the Patient: Both teenagers and adults can benefit from Invisalign. Generally speaking, treatments for teenagers take less time since their teeth aren’t set as firmly in place yet.
- Compliance of the Patient: You need to carefully follow your dentist’s instructions on how often you need to wear your aligners on a daily basis. Wearing them less often could throw off the timeline of your treatment.
How Can You Keep Your Invisalign Treatment on Schedule?
To make sure that the Invisalign treatment doesn’t take any longer than it needs to, you can follow these simple steps:
- Be diligent about wearing your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. Only take them out when it’s time to eat or brush your teeth.
- Always switch to the next set of aligners when you’re told to. You can usually expect to wear a given set of aligners for about two weeks.
- Take care of your aligners to minimize the risk of them breaking before you’re done with them. In the event that an aligner does become damaged, let your dentist know immediately so that they can advise you on how to handle the situation.
Every Invisalign case is unique, so your treatment timeline won’t look exactly the same as another patient’s. Your dentist can provide an estimate of how long you can expect the Invisalign process to take, and they can give you further tips for making sure it goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Darren G. Koch has been taking care of smiles for more than two decades. He went to The University at Buffalo for his Doctor of Dental Surgery. Today, he is a member of the American Academy of Clear Aligners, which once chose one of his Invisalign cases as Case of the Month. If you are interested in starting the Invisalign process, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Koch at his office in Cary by visiting his website or calling (919) 859-6633.
