How Long Does Invisalign Take?

If you’ve heard anything about Invisalign, you may already be aware that it can straighten your teeth more comfortably, less invasively, and sometimes much faster than traditional braces. But before you commit to treatment, you’re probably wondering exactly how long you’ll be sporting those aligners. Here’s an idea of how long it could take, and a few factors that may affect the duration.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that is performed by wearing clear aligner trays that fit over your teeth to gradually move them into a more desirable position. Unlike braces, Invisalign trays can be removed for meals and oral hygiene care, and instead of having wires replaced and tightened, you advance to a new set approximately every two weeks. Because they’re clear, your aligners are also more discreet, making them an ideal solution for adults who are self-conscious about wearing braces. Treatment times are also much faster with Invisalign, so you’ll be able to enjoy your new smile much sooner!

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

While it is important to understand that your treatment will depend on your individual smile goals, the average time most people wear Invisalign is one year. In contrast, treatment with traditional braces could range anywhere from 18 months to three years! Using aligners can take more or less time depending on the following factors:

• Severe Alignment Problems: If you require more in-depth modifications, your treatment may take longer, and your dentist may need to use more than one method to achieve your goals.
• Crowding: If you have mild crowding your treatment could be complete within six months; however, if it is more severe your treatment could take longer. Furthermore, if your teeth are stubborn, you may end up needing refinements which could add to your initially estimated timeline.
• Gaps in Teeth:  Treatment may take longer if you have gaps in your teeth because some of them may need to move farther to arrive at their desired position.

Things You Can Do to Keep Your Invisalign Treatment on Track

While you may not be able to speed up your Invisalign treatment, there are still things you can do to help ensure that it stays on schedule, including:

• Make sure you wear your aligners for 22 hours each day.
• Do your bite exercises as prescribed by your dentist.
• Remove your aligners to eat and drink anything besides cold or room-temperature water.
• Brush your teeth after each meal and each time you drink anything but water; floss each time you eat.
• Advance to your next set of aligners as prescribed by your dentist.

Remember, the duration of your Invisalign treatment depends on many factors, including how much movement your teeth need to make and how well you follow your care instructions. If you are falling behind or your teeth are struggling to progress, speak to your dentist about solutions to help get your new smile back on track!

About Dr. Freyne

Dr. Ronan Freyne believes in treating each patient like the individual that they are. This means there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all care. Whether you’re looking for standard, biannual exam and cleaning, need a restoration, or are interested in improving your smile with the help of Invisalign, Dr. Freyne is proud to assist you in achieving your goals in a way that works best for your lifestyle and budget.

To learn more about whether Invisalign is right for you, please visit our website or call us today at 301-986-0700 for a consultation appointment.