How Long Does Invisalign Take to Straighten Teeth?

In the past, braces have been the go-to method for straightening teeth. Thanks to recent breakthroughs in dentistry, however, more and more people are now choosing Invisalign. This safe and convenient alternative has a variety of benefits that can help patients who may have forgone braces in the past finally obtain that perfect smile. 

What is Invisalign?

Straightening teeth has traditionally been performed with the help of braces, which use brackets and metal bands to shape your teeth. Invisalign is an alternative to braces that instead utilizes clear trays to adjust your teeth alignment.

Invisalign moves your teeth slowly over time, which will require multiple alignment trays over the course of the treatment. On average, around 20-35 trays are required to obtain the results you desire. While this may seem like a hassle, it can actually save you trips to the dentist: braces, on average, need to be tightened every three to six months by a dental professional.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

On average, you can expect to use Invisalign for anywhere between one to two years. Keep in mind that this is the total time of treatment, however; most people see a noticeable improvement in their teeth after only a few months. You can compare this timeline to traditional braces, which typically take two to three years to achieve their intended result. 

There are several factors which could shorten or lengthen the time Invisalign takes to work. The process of straightening teeth is highly personalized for your unique situation, which means that your timeline might be much different than someone else’s. Some factors that affect how long you can expect your Invisalign treatment to last include:

• Age

While anyone regardless of age can benefit from Invisalign, adults may take longer to see results. This is because teenagers are still growing and their teeth are easier to manipulate, whereas adults may need a little bit longer to start seeing results.

• Compliance

Invisalign relies on you remembering to wear them in order to work correctly. Because the alignment tray is completely removable, you may forget to put them back in after eating or brushing your teeth. While this may increase the time it takes to complete your treatment, it can even result in teeth regressing back to their original positions. You should wear your Invisalign trays for at least 22 hours a day to achieve optimal results.

• Crowding

Crowding occurs when your jaw is underdeveloped causing teeth to be misaligned. While mild cases of teeth crowding usually take less than a year to correct, more serious instances may require two to three years, or another line of treatment altogether before starting Invisalign.

• Gaps

The opposite of crowding, gaps between your teeth occur when your teeth are much smaller than your jawbone allows. Small gaps can be fixed relatively quickly, while larger gaps will take more time. Additionally, these gaps can recur after completing Invisalign, which may require you to use a retainer after your treatment is complete. If gaps are due to genetically small teeth additional services may be needed such as bondings or veneers. 

What Other Benefits Does Invisalign Have?

Not only does Invisalign work faster than traditional braces, but there are multiple other benefits to choosing it as well. Many people prefer Invisalign for cosmetic reasons in order to avoid wearing metal braces for an extended period of time. Additionally, Invisalign doesn’t come with food restrictions. Because you are able to remove the alignment trays before eating, you can enjoy popcorn, caramel, or corn on the cob without needing to worry about anything getting stuck in your braces. We also see less cavities and white spots with invisalign since oral hygiene is easier.

Is Invisalign Right For You?

If you’ve passed up braces in the past, now might be the perfect time to straighten your teeth. Invisalign is an affordable alternative that is comfortable and easy to use. We’re excited to talk with you about your options to determine if Invisalign is right for you!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.