Do you keep your mouth closed when you smile or cover your mouth when you laugh? If you feel self-conscious about your smile, you’re not alone. Over one-third of American adults are also not happy with the way their smile looks.
Invisalign offers a way for both teens and adults to straighten their teeth without braces. A common concern among those interested in Invisalign is “how long does Invisalign take?” So let’s take a look at just how long your Invisalign treatment may last.
Benefits of Invisalign
Invisalign treatment offers a straightforward way to get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. Your provider will build a plan custom-tailored to your situation, to get you the results you want in an efficient way. They offer Invisalign treatment that not only addresses misalignments but also ensures a comfortable and convenient experience throughout the process.
Invisalign is also a discreet option to straighten your teeth. The aligner trays are clear, and you can take them out as needed. Many adults find this affects their self-consciousness less than traditional braces, which are much more visible.
Some people find braces uncomfortable. Invisalign works gradually, meaning you don’t need to worry about painful wire tightening. Plus, there aren’t any food restrictions, and you can simply remove your aligners whenever you are ready to eat.
If you get traditional braces, you need to visit the orthodontist approximately every two to three weeks.
While you’ll switch out your trays every two weeks, you’ll only need to visit your orthodontist about every ten weeks with Invisalign. You’ll have an in-person consultation with a trained orthodontist as opposed to what you can expect with many mail-order aligners, which are not overseen by highly qualified individuals.
You can read more on carolinabraces.com to learn about the benefits and the treatment process.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign aligner trays are made of a special acrylic that is very strong. This plastic can put enough pressure on your teeth to gently move them without causing pain.
The trays are made based on molds of your mouth and are created according to your unique treatment plan. Invisalign treatment uses digital scans instead of messy traditional impressions.
Invisalign works by moving about one tooth at a time. This makes it easy to give you a beautiful smile at the end. Each tray focuses on one tooth, so after it is aligned, you switch aligner trays to focus on the next tooth. Usually, you switch tray sets every two weeks.
Because of the highly precise nature of Invisalign, there is a set schedule you need to follow. Your orthodontist will create a treatment plan and explain when you should switch each tray.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Every orthodontic case is different, meaning treatment time will vary from person to person. Usually, it takes less than two years to see the results you want. Some people can get results from Invisalign in as little as six months.
On average, you can expect Invisalign to straighten your teeth in about 12 months if you don’t have any major concerns.
This is in contrast to traditional braces, which usually take between one and three years. Treatment can even last up to five years for some people who have traditional braces. Either way, Invisalign treatment tends to be shorter than treatment with traditional braces.
You might also wonder how soon you’ll be able to start seeing results. The good news is, it could be just two or three months of wearing your aligners before seeing a change. This can be a great way to start building your self-confidence.
Factors That Affect the Invisalign Process
In general, your Invisalign timeline is directly related to how complex your situation is. Some factors that can affect your treatment time include the spacing or occlusion of your teeth, your age, and how rigidly you stick to your treatment.
The extent and type of crowding or spacing issues that you have are the key factors that determine how long Invisalign takes. When you have your consultation, your orthodontist will be able to give you an estimate based on your individual case.
Severe alignment issues need more in-depth work and usually take longer. Gaps in teeth require your teeth to move further distance and usually also take a bit longer to fix.
The time it takes to fix crowding varies greatly. Mild crowding may only take six months to correct, while severe crowding usually takes longer.
Age is an often-overlooked factor in the Invisalign timeline. The reason why braces are most common among middle and high school students is that teeth are easier to realign while you are younger.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t straighten your teeth as an adult. In fact, about a quarter of orthodontic patients are adults. You should just keep in mind that it may take a little longer if you are older.
How closely you follow your treatment plan will affect your treatment length. If you are very compliant with your plan, you’ll get results in the expected time frame. Not following your treatment plan can increase the time it takes for you to get beautiful teeth.
There are also a few other factors that can affect how long Invisalign will take for you. Your genetics, the condition of your jaw and gums, and your diet can all make an impact.
How to Reduce Your Treatment Time
While there are some factors affecting your treatment time that you can’t control, there are some things you can do. The biggest is following your orthodontist’s instructions.
Most patients will be instructed to wear their trays 20 to 22 hours every day. You should make sure to follow these instructions and only remove them as suggested, such as for eating.
You need to switch trays in order to keep making progress. Be sure to follow the correct sequence of trays and change them according to your prescribed schedule.
Invisalign Teen offers compliance indicators in the tray that can make it easier to remember to wear your aligners, which can be especially helpful for young people. A special blue dot disappears when the patient has worn them for the full two weeks or 336 hours.
Get the Benefits of Straight Teeth With Invisalign
Invisalign is a great way to straighten your teeth without the hassle of braces. While many people wonder “how long does Invisalign take?” the time may be less than you think. Most likely, in only six months to two years, you can have a brand new smile.
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