If you are looking for a treatment that will allow you to straighten your teeth without all the constraints and visibility of traditional braces, then Invisalign may be a great choice for you.
Invisalign aligners can be removed anytime you want to take them out – and they don’t require you to make any major lifestyle changes, such as giving up your favorite foods.
But how long will it take to get through Invisalign treatment successfully?
How Does Invisalign Work?
Rather than using the fixed brackets and wires of traditional braces to makeover your smile, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to move your teeth into their new spot over time.
Traditional braces have to be tightened and adjusted by the orthodontist routinely throughout treatment. With Invisalign, you simply move to new aligners. The number of aligners you will have depends on the extent of movement needed to straighten your teeth and align your bite. For an average case, treatment can be completed with 20-30 aligners.
You will go through the entire series of aligners to complete your treatment. Thankfully, instead of having to make frequent trips to the orthodontist’s office, you can usually just switch to the next aligners at home. You will still come in every few months to have your progress checked and to pick up more aligners because it’s important for your case to be overseen by dental professionals.
How Long Does Invisalign Take to Straighten Teeth?
The length of time Invisalign takes to straighten teeth is going to vary for each patient. Remember, you will have to work your way through your series of aligners – and not everyone will have the same number of aligners.
For an average case it takes less than a year to finish your treatment and see your straight teeth. However, you should begin to see results just a month or two into treatment. This can give you the extra push you need to keep going.
Factors That Impact Your Invisalign Timeline
Invisalign is highly personalized, which means your treatment timeline will be different than someone else’s. A few of the factors that impact this include things you do and do not have control over.
- Alignment/Bite Issues. Patients who have alignment/complicated bite issues may find that their treatment with Invisalign takes a bit longer than those who do not. These may require various approaches to reach the final goal.
- Overcrowding. Minor overcrowding may actually only take a few months but when you have a greater amount of overcrowding, it can take much longer. In severe cases, dentists may suggest alternate treatments that will be a better fit.
- Gaps. Closing a gap can take some extra time – especially if it is a large gap. Or if there are multiple gaps. This is something to consider when wondering about your timeline.
- Your dedication to treatment. Aside from your teeth, you also play a very important role in how long your Invisalign treatment will last. Because they are removable it is easy to take out your aligners and forget to put them back in. In order to achieve optimal movement, you need to wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours every day. Not doing so will cause a delay in the timeline.
Learn More About Invisalign at Creekview Dental
Are you interested in Invisalign? Would you like to see if you are a candidate for this orthodontic treatment? Dr. John Haag and his team at Creekview Dental have been transforming smiles with Invisalign for many years. Your smile could be next.
Contact us today at (651) 738-8204 or schedule an appointment online.
