Invisalign is a cutting-edge orthodontic treatment that involves wearing a series of clear plastic aligners that can help straighten your teeth over time. Since this is a more discrete method of getting misalignment issues fixed, teenagers and adults prefer Invisalign to traditional metal brackets. So exactly how long does Invisalign treatment take? Let’s find out.
How Much Time Does An Invisalign Treatment Take?
- There are two types of Americans who need to get their teeth straightened:
- Those who have never had any orthodontic work done previously.
- Those who had orthodontic work done in their youth but have had some relapse since then.
For both these cases, Invisalign is an effective form of treatment. During your treatment, you will need to wear a set of aligners for a week or two, depending on our instructions. After that period, the set will be replaced by the next one in the series. You will need to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day. Most people will start to notice a difference in the first few months of the treatment, but typically it takes about 12 to 18 months before your teeth are aligned properly. Many people may also just need to wear these aligners for only 6 months. For people who had braces in their youth and have only a mild relapse, Invisalign can correct the issue in as little as 10 weeks.
Factors Affecting the Treatment Time for Invisalign?
There are a few instances when people may have to wear Invisalign for a longer period of time:
Extent of Misalignment and Teeth Crowding
People who have small jaws may experience overcrowding and overlapping. If the misalignment is moderate, it can take two or more years to correct it. In some cases, we may recommend other more effective orthodontic methods for straightening your teeth.
Gaps Between Teeth
People who have disproportionately small teeth and a large jawbone may have gaps in between their teeth. Minor gaps will take less time to fill. However, if the gaps are larger, it may take up to 18 months to fix the issue. In some cases, your jaw may be too large for Invisalign to correct the spacing effectively. In this case, we may recommend another orthodontic method.
Age Factor
It is easier to change a child’s or a teen’s teeth since the jaw is still growing at the time and the teeth can come into place faster. That is why a lot of middle-school and high-school children wear braces. Just make sure your child has lost all their baby teeth and have gotten all their permanent teeth, except the wisdom teeth. Invisalign can also be effective on adults. It may just take a little longer.
Following Guidelines
A single Invisalign tray is effective for about two weeks’ time. After that, it needs to be replaced with the next one in the series. If you forgot to replace your aligners, your progress will stop. In addition, you also need to wear the trays in the right order or you may risk worsening your misalignment. Also, make sure you are dedicated enough to wear the trays for at least 20 hours every day. Invisalign is an excellent option to fix mild misalignments in a discrete way. If you are interested in the treatment, schedule an appointment with Dr. Seth Senestraro and Dr. Seth at Senestraro Family Orthodontics.
