Are you looking for a treatment to straighten your teeth that does not involve braces? Your orthodontist might suggest Invisalign®. They are an alternative to braces that align your teeth into proper positions, and the best part? They are removable, clear, and convenient. You will not feel self-conscious about your smile even when you have these clear aligners on, which raises the question: How long does Invisalign® take? We will talk about it in this blog.
How Long Does Invisalign® Take to Work?
Invisalign® treatment can take anywhere from 3 to 18 months.
The treatment time depends on your specific condition. For instance, if you want to fix slight crowding, you will probably notice fast results. As for complex bite conditions, you may need to wait 12 months or more to see results.
Many patients see results in just a few months of wearing the aligners. Here is some insight into how long Invisalign® treatment takes to work for different conditions:
- Tooth Crowding: Minor issues can be fixed quickly, and moderate crowding requires up to a year. The more severe your crowding is, the more time it will take.
- Gapped Teeth: If you have a minor gap, it can be corrected quickly, whereas significant gaps take longer.
Factors Affecting Invisalign® Treatment Time
There are some factors that can affect how long the treatment might take for you. For example, the condition being treated. Treating small gaps takes less time than treating significant gaps, and fixing slightly crowded teeth is faster than fixing moderate to severe crowding.
Another factor that affects your Invisalign® treatment is your compliance. You are required to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day. If you fail to comply, your treatment will be delayed. Your orthodontist will prepare a treatment plan and provide you with instructions on wearing Invisalign®. As long as you stick to the instructions, it should not delay your treatment.
Tips For Completing Invisalign® Treatment on Time
You can make sure your Invisalign® treatment is completed on time if you are mindful of a few factors. Here are some tips to strive to make your treatment time as short as possible:
- Make sure to follow the instructions provided by your orthodontist. They might recommend wearing the aligners for at least 22 hours per day. Therefore, follow through and commit to wearing them daily as instructed.
- Take proper care of your clear aligners. When aligners get damaged or lost, it can prolong the treatment time. So, make sure to inform your orthodontist immediately if your aligner cracks or suffers damage so that they can prepare a replacement tray.
- You should keep up with your dental care because the condition of your dental health can affect the Invisalign® process. Keep up with regular professional teeth cleanings, and brush and floss daily.
- Stay vigilant regarding Invisalign® care and give them a deep clean at least once a week. This way, the trays will be in good condition and work properly. And your teeth will remain healthy, too!
- Do not forget to change your aligners on the right date.
- Take your Invisalign® with you if you are traveling.
Final Note
Invisalign® can take a few months to 1.5 years to treat your misaligned or gapped teeth. The treatment length will depend on your condition, the severity of your condition, your compliance, your dental health, and more.
Enhance Dental is your trusted provider for quality dental care. You can consult our qualified dentist, Dr. Omad Chaudhary, to take care of your smile. For further queries call us at (919) 569-5719.