Invisalign is a unique alternative to conventional metal braces. It involves the use of clear, thermoplastic aligners or trays, which you wear over your teeth. During your treatment, you use a series of aligners to correct dental position issues, improving your overall oral health and the appearance of your smile.
There’s a common misconception that Invisalign only works in limited situations. While it may not be able to fix everything, the treatment can correct a broad range and severity of dental and jaw alignment problems. It can help with:
- Crooked teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Crowding
- Crossbites
- Underbites
- Overbites
One common question we get here is, “how long does it take for Invisalign to work?” Here, we’ll take a look at the Invisalign timeline and about how long you can expect treatment to take.
Invisalign Benefits to Consider
Invisalign offers many benefits. These include:
- More discreet. Your aligners are clear, so they’re much less noticeable. Most people won’t see that you’re wearing them at all.
- More comfortable. The aligners are smooth and therefore won’t poke or irritate the soft tissue in your mouth.
- Removeable. You can take your aligners out to eat and brush your teeth.
- Safe treatment. The aligners are FDA-approved and don’t contain BPA, phthalates, or parabens.
How Long for Invisalign to Work?
Many patients considering Invisalign wonder how long their treatment will take. The answer depends on your unique situation. On average, treatment times range from 12 to 18 months. Your Invisalign timeline, however, will depend on a variety of factors.
Your Age
Much like braces, anyone can get Invisalign so long as they’re a candidate. However, treatment for teens tends to go much faster than it does for adults. The reason for this is that a teen’s jaws are still growing. They’re more malleable, so it’s easier to shift the teeth into proper alignment.
Adults, on the other hand, have a more solidified jaw. While they can still use Invisalign in many cases, treatment may take longer.
The Severity of Your Situation
Invisalign can treat a broad range of issues efficiently. The more severe your situation, however, the longer your treatment will take to complete. Where simple, minor crooked teeth or spacing issues may only take 12 months, more significant crowding or bite issues could take 18 to 24 months.
How Well You Stick to Your Treatment Plan
When you get your aligners, you’ll also get instructions for use. Adhering to your treatment plan is vital for correcting your smile as quickly as possible. For instance, you can remove your aligners, but you should only do so to eat and to brush your teeth.
Ideally, you should wear them for 20 to 22 hours each day for the best and fastest results. If you routinely forget to put them back in your mouth or are otherwise lax in your treatment, it’ll take longer to see results. Even after treatment, you’ll still need to wear a retainer to maintain your beautiful new smile.
Are You Ready to Find Out If Invisalign Is Right for You?
On average, Invisalign can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to complete. The exact length of your treatment, however, will depend on a few factors. Hansen Orthodontics can assess your unique situation to determine if you’re a candidate and how long your treatment might take. With a clearer picture of what to expect, you can decide if Invisalign is right for you.
Are you interested in learning more about Invisalign? Contact Hansen Orthodontics today to schedule your free consultation.