Have you always wanted a straighter smile but didn’t want to wear traditional braces? Well, there’s good news! You no longer have to commit to wearing metal wires and brackets to get aligned teeth. Invisalign is now a very popular orthodontic treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to move your pearly whites into their desired position. However, you may be wondering what the exact timeline of the treatment is. Read on to learn more about Invisalign and how long it will take to align your grin.
The Basics of Invisalign
Invisalign has been a convenient and reliable way to straighten your smile since around the year 2000. It uses a series of thin, clear plastic aligners to gently move your teeth into the correct place. Generally, you will switch to a new set of trays every two weeks. One of the major benefits of Invisalign is that you can remove your aligners. You can still eat your favorite foods, as well as it is easy to maintain your oral health (compared to traditional braces). Additionally, the treatment is so discreet; barely anyone will even notice you are straightening your pearly whites!
So, How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Invisalign is obviously a more comfortable, convenient, and visually appealing orthodontic treatment than braces. It also is much more time efficient! While braces can take 24 to 36 months to fully straighten your teeth, the average timeline for Invisalign is just 12 months.
However, every person has different dental issues and goals. As a result, some people’s treatment will take more time—or less—than others. Your dentist will guide you through your specific timeline based on your individual oral health needs. Here are some factors that can affect the timeframe of your Invisalign treatment:
- Severe alignment issues: If your teeth are severely out of alignment, you will most likely need to wear your aligners for a longer period of time.
- Crowded or gapped teeth. While minor crowding can usually be fixed within six months, a more serious case may require an increased number of aligners, which will extend the treatment time. The same will hold true for the severity of gaps in your teeth.
- Age. Teenagers’ teeth usually move faster and easier than adults’ since they are still growing. However, Invisalign is for people of all ages! Some people’s teeth will move faster than others, regardless of how old they are.
- Compliance. It is important to wear your aligners at least 22 hours a day. If you are not consistent with this requirement, you can extend your treatment time significantly. To stay on track with your treatment plan and timeline, sticking with your dentist’s instructions will be essential.
Are you ready for a new smile? Invisalign can help you achieve one within a shorter amount of time compared to other orthodontics. By visiting your dentist, you can discover the best timeline to a straighter, more beautiful teeth!
About the Practice
Richardson Orthodontics is eager to help you achieve the smile of your dreams through the expertise of their two orthodontists. As board-certified orthodontists with hundreds of hours of additional training, they can assist you with any of your dental needs and goals. They provide a full range of comprehensive orthodontics, including Invisalign. To schedule a consultation, contact them through their website or call (972) 238-7101.