One of the many perks of Invisalign treatment is the reduced treatment time over traditional braces. Even so, many patients don’t want to commit to straightening their teeth unless they know exactly how long it will take. In a world that’s constantly on the move, this is fair. You want to be able to plan and strategize your journey through life.
If you want guidelines on treatment duration with Invisalign, continue reading. While an exact duration can’t be guaranteed, you’ll come away from this guide with a better understanding of the process.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Before moving on, you should learn how Invisalign works to straighten your teeth. This will give you a clear understanding of Invisalign’s function and could help you with your time estimate.
Your Invisalign treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation. The severity of your misalignment, bite issues, or other concerns will determine the complexity of your case.
You’ll then begin the treatment with a series of clear aligners that gradually shift your teeth into their new positions. Each of these aligners takes around two weeks to complete its work until you switch to the next one. This continues until your treatment is complete.
How Long Does Treatment Take on Average?
The average time you’ll be doing your Invisalign treatment depends on the factors above, but here are some quick estimations:
For Simple to Moderate Cases
For patients with mild to moderate misalignments, the average Invisalign treatment time falls within the range of 6 to 12 months.
For Complex Cases
If your issues are more complex and require significant correction, the treatment duration may extend beyond 12 months, possibly even as long as 18 months. Challenging cases demand a more intricate series of aligners and may require additional treatments for best results.
How Can I Speed Up My Invisalign Treatment?
While you can’t make the treatment go “faster,” following the directions will keep the duration minimal.
- Wear Your Aligners the Right Amount of Time: The effectiveness of Invisalign is closely tied to consistent wear. It’s essential to keep your aligners on for 20 to 22 hours per day. You should only remove them for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene.
- Good Oral Hygiene Practices: The better you take care of your teeth, the easier your treatment will be. Your Invisalign treatment can be delayed if you develop tooth decay or gum disease, so continue brushing twice a day and flossing.
With this information, you should have a much better understanding of Invisalign and how your choices affect treatment time. While some may achieve their desired results within months, others may require a year or more. Regardless of the time, the results will be worth it, so schedule an Invisalign consultation with your dentist without delay!
About the Practice
At Brown & Nawrocki Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Andrew M. Nawrocki and Dr. Kimberly Dennis combine their skills and knowledge to offer complete and comfortable dental care. Whether you’re looking for an Invisalign provider or need some restorations done, your friendly dental team has it covered. To schedule an Invisalign consultation, call (386) 677-1046 or visit the website to learn more.