Invisalign can fix teeth in about 12 to 18 months. If you have crooked teeth, you might think of choosing braces, but the idea doesn’t sit right with you.

We know the reason behind this aversion.

It takes years to finally get rid of the traditional braces.

During that phase, they are not just uncomfortable to live with; they alter the smile by pushing the lips out. 

One million or more adults in the United States and Canada wear braces. According to data from the American Association of Orthodontists, five percent of braces wearers are older than 18.

Invisalign is the perfect solution for people who want perfect teeth without pain and discomfort.

In this article, we’ll talk about useful information like “how long does Invisalign take?” and much more.

Invisalign Treatment: Getting Down to Basics

Although it is an alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign is nothing like braces. 

It is a sophisticated system of transparent aligners fitted to each patient's unique teeth and gradually straightening teeth with mild force. 

The aligner trays are changed out for fresh ones every one to two weeks. The patient can have fewer orthodontist appointments by receiving multiple trays ahead of time.

Invisalign accomplishes:

• Less discomfort

• Gentler tooth movements

• And quicker treatment periods 

This device aims to provide you with the greatest experience imaginable!

More than 15 million people have used Invisalign to treat their dental issues.

How Long Do Teeth Straightening with Invisalign Take?

To begin with, as far as the duration of Invisalign treatment is concerned. It will vary from person to person.

However, the course of treatment should generally take one to one and a half years. 

Many people report that after wearing these aligners for just two to three months, they can already see a considerable difference.

Continue reading to find out what factors can affect how long your Invisalign treatment takes. 

Question Answered: How Long Does Invisalign Take?

On average, Invisalign can fix teeth in about 12 to 18 months.

The clear, almost invisible aligners that come with Invisalign are becoming increasingly popular among orthodontic patients.

That is because people can eat with them.

One of the first inquiries regarding Invisalign that people make to our orthodontists is: How long does Invisalign take to straighten my teeth?

The simplest response is that it depends on the complexity of the case.

Invisalign aligner treatments can be completed in at least six months for people who require minor teeth adjustments. 

Pre-Treatment Process 

Invisalign is made using impressions of your teeth that your orthodontist will first take.

Both orthodontists' offices and dentist offices with specialized training offer these aligners. During the first visit, your doctor will take plaster moulds or unique 3-D pictures of your mouth.

These will later be utilized to make your teeth Invisalign trays.

After acquiring your digital scans and impressions, the patients get their aligners.

You will receive new Invisalign trays every two weeks, or as your orthodontist recommends, to replace each pair you already have. 

After combining all these factors, patients can estimate how long does it take to get Invisalign.

So, if you are from one-third of the Americans who don’t like their smile, Invisalign is a tried and tested solution.

Factors That Affect How Long Invisalign Will Take

To know how long Invisalign takes to work, you need to know your case first. For various teeth disorders and conditions, the timeline is different. 

With the factors explained in the next section, you will see why two people may get the final results at different times.

1.Types of Teeth 

Below are the types of misalignment of teeth and how they can be treated with Invisalign.

Over and Underbites 

When your lower front teeth protrude ahead of your upper teeth, it is referred to as an underbite. 

This can be due to the misaligned lower jaws when the jaw protrudes forward. 

Conversely, an overbite is the reverse. 

Before the lower front teeth, the upper front teeth protrude.

Among the several tooth alignment issues that Invisalign can treat are underbites and overbites. 

In severe situations, on the other hand, an underbite may need dental surgery and an Invisalign.

Therefore, if the misalignment is brought on by improper dental alignment, it may be effective in treating underbite. 

Other treatments, or a combination of therapies, can be required if the underbite is skeletal. 

There is no one-size-fits-all method for underbites due to their extreme variability.

Crowded Teeth 

It can only take six months for the treatment to work on mild cases of crowded teeth. Treatment may, of course, take longer if your crowding is more severe.

Your orthodontist may even recommend wearing headgear or having some teeth extracted if your crowding is so bad that it prevents the remaining teeth from growing properly apart. 

For this reason, you must schedule a comprehensive consultation with them so they can determine whether or not you're a good candidate for the treatment.

Gapped Teeth 

There can be wide variations in the duration of treatment if a person has a gap in their teeth. 

For instance, your 8-week treatment term may be sufficient if you only have a tiny gap between your teeth. 

However, this type of teeth straightening will take considerably longer if your gaps are larger.

Keep in mind that if you don't follow the treatment regimen your orthodontist prescribes, gaps can return quickly. 

Therefore, you must make sure you continue to wear the retainer they give you after you've filled in the gaps. 

In this manner, it will stop the gap from occurring once more.

2.Age Group 

Although it is excellent for both adults and teens, the age at which it begins to operate can also have an impact. 

Teenagers' teeth change their position more quickly and easily than those of adults since they are still growing.

Nevertheless, regardless of age, some people's teeth move faster than others. 

Certain elderly individuals may experience outcomes far sooner than kids in their teenage years.

The effectiveness of clear aligners doesn’t decrease with age.

So, people who think they are too old to get a pearly white smile should remind themselves that dreams have no age limit.

3.Maintain Consistency in the Treatment Plan 

The secret to a successful treatment is consistency. 

Wearing your Invisalign clear aligners for the suggested 20 to 22 hours a day is essential. 

Your teeth will shift in more effectively as you wear them regularly.

It's possible for your jaws and teeth to feel sensitive when you first receive your aligners. 

That's quite natural and not too severe. At first, wearing the plastic trays will undoubtedly feel strange, and you may find yourself tempted to pull out your aligner. 

So, in the first few days, you need to control the urge to get rid of the Invisalign.

Decide to wear your trays for the necessary duration of time every day. 

The discomfort disappears after a few days, and you get used to wearing the aligners.

Taking off the Invisalign in the long term can impede progress and increase the duration of treatment. 

To make sure you wear Invisalign for the necessary amount of time, set reminders or establish a routine.

Acknowledge that success might not be apparent right away and that treatment takes time. 

Accept the adjustments and advancements occurring in your mouth to control the situation that was going haywire.

4.Be Careful of Dental Hygiene

During Invisalign treatment, keeping up good oral hygiene is vital to avoiding cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. 

Before re-adjusting your aligners, make sure to wash your teeth right after eating.

Using an antimicrobial mouthwash and flossing is also integral for maintaining dental health. 

To keep the Invisalign clear and as good as new, clean them on a regular basis with a mild toothpaste or the suggested cleaning solution.

5.Don’t Keep the Invisalign Dirty

Regular cleaning is necessary to keep the aligners transparent and hygienic. 

After removing the aligners, rinse them with lukewarm water. 

To prevent the aligners from warping, gently brush them with a soft toothbrush and stay away from hot water.

Clear aligners may be effectively cleaned of stains and discolorations using a combination of Invisalign cleaning crystals. 

To use, combine a pack of crystals with a container big enough to submerge the aligner trays completely. The crystals will fully dissolve if you stir the water for a short while. 

After inserting the aligners into the liquid, leave them there for roughly fifteen minutes. 

Before wearing or storing the trays in the carrying case, give them a quick wash in warm water.

Eligibility for the Treatment 

To help you decide whether Invisalign is the right option for you, ask yourself the following questions if you're considering getting them:

What kind of teeth misalignment do you have?

Is wearing braces something I feel self-conscious about?

Will I wear the device for the recommended amount of time each day?

Does Invisalign treatment fit my budget?

Will I properly care for it?

If you have a person living with you who would prefer Invisalign to traditional braces, consider if they will wear them and take proper care of them.

With its removable and misplaceable nature, it may not be the greatest option if you are aware that your child has a tendency to misplace items.

How Many Trays Can the Orthodontist Use?

The extent of your treatment will determine how many Invisalign aligners you require. A set of 10–20 aligners, for instance, might be provided to someone who just needs minor teeth straightening. 

However, 40–50 sets of aligners would be more efficacious for someone with more complicated problems. 

Patients often need twenty to thirty sets of aligners.

Once more, this is dependent upon the treatment plan that you and your orthodontist have negotiated. 

What Happens When the Treatment Ends

The Invisalign treatment finishes when your teeth are perfectly aligned.

When all retention attachments have been removed from your teeth, your dentist will ask you to stop wearing your aligners gradually.

Certain patients could need follow-up care. However, one may ask, why? Your teeth may gradually revert to their improper alignment, which is the reason behind this.

Dentists always have a strategy for each patient who wants a treatment. Following a thorough examination, your dentist may advise using clear retainers. 

These transparent trays, which resemble aligners, contribute to maintaining straight teeth.

Sometimes, after taking out aligners, dentists recommend their patients continue to wear retainers at all times for a couple of weeks. Later on, patients will need to wear them only at night after the prescribed duration.

Throughout the process, don’t ignore what the dentist has to say. 

Some people have a fear of a dentist because of the scary-looking instruments or bad history with them.

But when it is about Invisalign treatment, don’t miss appointments because of your busy schedule or any other excuse.

Learn more: The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups for Oral Health

FAQs 

Is the Invisalign treatment painful?

No. If the doctors made the right ones following your teeth impression, you won’t feel any discomfort.

Does Invisalign have wires?

No. Their job is pretty much the same as braces, but they don’t have traditional wires or braces.

What is the age limit?

The person must have permanent teeth. Hence, people at the age of 15 and above can use it. 

Which teeth take the most time to move during the treatment?

Lateral incisors– the two teeth located on the right and left sides of the central incisors.

In Conclusion

Finally, this was our blog on everything you need to memorize before you book a consultation with a dentist. 

By going through the information written here, the audience can estimate how long does Invisalign take depending on specific cases.

If you are guilty of never giving enough importance to your teeth and want to change them now, there is no better place than KWC Dental.

From the beginning to the end, their detailed process helps you get a gorgeous smile.