Traditional metal braces aren’t for everyone. If metal braces are not for you because of their chunky and visible design, then Invisalign is an alternative solution worth looking into. These clear and virtually invisible clear aligners are becoming increasingly popular for a reason – they are discreet, effective and a lifestyle-friendly way of addressing your orthodontic problems.
But, let’s get to the real question you’re here for (and trust us when we say we get this question a lot)
How long does it take for Invisalign treatment to work? The short and simple answer? It depends. The long answer? Once again, it depends. Why? Because it’s based on the fact that no two people have the exact treatment requirements.
What is the Duration of Invisalign Treatment?
Let’s break it down.
As we said, treatment time for Invisalign varies. On average, Invisalign takes around 12 months. Treatment time for simple cases like mild crowding and spacing can be as short as six months while more complex cases like major misalignments and problems with your bite can take anywhere between 12 to 18 months (and sometimes a little longer).
So what are these factors that affect your treatment time?
Factors Affecting Treatment Time
- The Type of Orthodontic Problem You Have: Invisalign is an effective solution for orthodontic problems like overbites, underbites, dental crowding and gaps between your teeth. The type of problem you have, whether it’s spacing or crowding – will have an impact on the treatment time.
- Your Age: While orthodontic treatment is effective for both adults and children, children may be at a slight advantage when it comes to treatment time. This is because when you are younger, your teeth tend to be easier to realign, as the jaws and teeth are still developing. Now, don’t worry because this doesn’t mean that adults can’t straighten their teeth. It just means the process may take a little longer.
- Your Compliance: This one’s important. Why? Because Invisalign treatment only works if you stick to your treatment plan and wear your aligners for at least 22 hours daily. If you take them out for prolonged periods of time consistently, it can affect your progress and slow you down. Typically, we recommend our patients to take them out only when eating and brushing your teeth.
- Severity of Your Case: Minor orthodontic problems like minor crowding or spacing can be treated faster while significant bite problems will require extended treatment timelines.
- Overall Oral Health: For your Invisalign treatment to be successful, it is important for your oral health to be in top shape. If you do have dental problems like gum disease, we recommend addressing it before you start Invisalign treatment in order to avoid delays and problems.
- How You Care for Your Aligners: Damaged or lost aligners can cause treatment delays. Because in such instances, we have to prepare a replacement tray for you, which can take more time. So it’s important to be careful with your aligners, clean them properly and store them safely when not in use. That being said, don’t continue using damaged aligners in order to avoid extending treatment time because they can compromise the effectiveness of treatment, cause discomfort and lead to other consequences.
How Does Invisalign Work?
So there you have it – all you need to know about how long Invisalign treatment takes. If you want an effective and low-key solution to straighten your smile without compromising with your daily routine, oral hygiene and overall comfort, Invisalign is for you. And the best part? Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign offers faster results (especially for mild to moderate cases). And you can typically complete treatment in 6 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of the case, your compliance and the other factors mentioned above.
Not sure if Invisalign is right for you?
Schedule a consultation with our friendly dentist. We’ll assess your smile, map out a personalised treatment plan and help you choose the best solution for your smile.
