How Long Does Invisalign Take?
How long do you have to wear Invisalign?
The length of time that you need to wear Invisalign depends on the severity of your dental issue and the treatment plan determined by your orthodontist.
On average, treatment time ranges from 12 months to 18 months, but some cases can be shorter or longer. Your orthodontist will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of how long you will need to wear Invisalign based on your specific case.
Here at Oldbury Smile Spa, we know that you want the best results and we want to help you do that! Our friendly team has years of experience doing this popular Invisalign treatment. Contact us today to get started on your journey!
How Long Do I Need To Wear Invisalign Per Day?
You should wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day. Having your aligners in means you cannot brush them or eat with them in, so you cannot wear them every single minute of the day. We recommend that you limit the amount of time the aligners are not in your mouth to no more than 2 hours per day. That is, you need to wear your aligners for up to 22 hours a day. Ignoring this advice may result in your Invisalign treatment taking longer to complete.
Is Invisalign Quicker Than Braces?
All braces treatments work in different ways to straighten teeth, but some provide faster treatment options. Invisalign is generally considered to be the most speedy braces treatment. Invisalign is typically used for minor cases, so around 20-30 sets of aligners (roughly) are required over 6-8 months.
You will have to still schedule monthly appointments with your orthodontist to keep your teeth lined up when using fixed braces (metal and lingual). With Invisalign, you don’t have to schedule those monthly appointments because the aligners will keep your teeth aligned without the need for a new set of re-wiring.
It is important to remember that treatment options vary greatly from patient to patient. While Invisalign is often thought to be the quickest treatment option, your orthodontist will always choose the most appropriate treatment, whether that would be braces or Invisalign.
Factors That Influence The Length Of Invisalign Treatment
Every person’s mouth is as different as their fingerprint. That’s why it’s impossible to specify the precise amount of time a person needs to wear braces. For some patients, dental care is done in six months, but for others, the process may take 18 months.
Here are a few of the most important factors in influencing how long treatment takes:
Teeth Crowding
The treatment for crowding may be possible in as few as six months, more for moderate cases. Crowding can be corrected in as few as six months for those with a smaller jaw (or larger teeth). You will have to move teeth a greater distance when you have more dental crowding, and this will prolong treatment time.
If you’re experiencing severe overcrowding, our dentist may recommend another course of treatment before deciding on Invisalign.
Gaps in Teeth
As with crowding, minor gaps will take less time to fix than severe gaps due to tissue overgrowth or small teeth. Diastemata, or spaces between teeth, are often caused by tissue overgrowth or small teeth relative to their jawbone. You may need more than a year to have the full correction completed if you have gaps and crowding.
In some cases, the teeth are too small and the jaw is too large. This can make it difficult to get a bite or to fully close your gaps. In addition to braces, your dentist may recommend other forms of treatment such as dental bonding or dental veneers.
The Age Of The Patient
While Invisalign is ideal for teens and adults, the age of the person can also affect how quickly it works. Because teens are still growing, their teeth tend to move much faster than adults.
Still, some people’s teeth decay faster than others, regardless of their age. That said, some older adults will experience better results more quickly than their children do (although this might depend on their compliance with the treatment plan). No matter what your age, orthodontic braces are a good way to have straighter teeth.
Compliance
Even if you need minimal correction from the start, not wearing your aligners according to your dentist’s instructions can lead to a significant delay in your treatment. Your Invisalign trays should be worn for at least 22 hours each day. You can remove them to eat, brush your teeth, and clean them. However, you should wear them at any other time of day or night, even while you’re sleeping. If you don’t wear your aligners for the recommended time, you may find yourself regressing in treatment as your teeth shift back to their original positions.
Invisalign can be used to treat a wide range of orthodontic issues, including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and gaps between the teeth. The treatment itself can require fewer office visits than traditional braces, which can be more convenient for busy individuals.
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Invisalign Treatment FAQ
Invisalign treatment involves wearing a series of custom-made aligners that gradually move your teeth into the desired position. Each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks before being replaced with the next set in the series.
How Long Do You Wear Invisalign To Close Gaps?
In small gaps, the fix can take just six weeks. However, if retention methods are not used correctly, the gaps usually reform. As a result, you will need a retainer after your Invisalign treatment to maintain the alignment of the teeth.
How Long Do You Wear Invisalign for Crowded Teeth?
With just a mild case of crowded teeth, they may take 6 months to resolve. In severe cases, your orthodontist may suggest the removal of some teeth.
What About Straightening Adult Teeth?
It is just as effective in straightening adult teeth as it is in straightening those of teenagers. The length of time you need to wear Invisalign will ultimately depend on the complexity of your orthodontic issues.
How Do I Clean My Invisalign Aligners?
You can clean your aligners by brushing them with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or by using special cleaning crystals specifically designed for Invisalign aligners. It is also important to regularly clean your teeth and gums while undergoing Invisalign treatment.
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