You’re tired of living with crooked teeth, so you decide to talk to your dentist about Invisalign. You know you want a solution that doesn’t bring attention to your dental work, and you want to see faster results, but how long will it take to achieve the smile of your dreams? What is a normal Invisalign timeline? To help you get the answers you need, a local dentist weighs in on the topic to shed some light on the actual process and why treatment times can vary from patient to patient.
What is the Process to Receive Invisalign Aligners?
The first step is scheduling a consultation with a qualified professional. During this visit, they will review your oral structure and identify the problem area(s). Through the use of photographs, dental X-rays, and other advanced technologies, your dentist will examine your bite, teeth, and overall health to determine if you qualify for Invisalign. In most cases, patients with mild to moderate orthodontic problems (i.e., overcrowding, spaces between teeth, and bite misalignment) can move forward with clear aligners; however, if the case is too severe, your dentist will likely recommend you for traditional metal braces.
Once you are given the green light to proceed with Invisalign, your dentist will capture impressions of your smile and send them off to an Invisalign lab where your customized trays will be created. After several weeks, you will return to retrieve your aligners and begin treatment.
How Long Will It Take to See Results?
Various factors must be considered to determine how long your treatment with Invisalign will take. Part of the responsibility lies on your aligners while the other requires you to play an active role.
It’s important to remember that every patient is different, as is each case. A minor gap between two upper front teeth is much easier to close than shifting a person’s overbite to minimize the potential wear and tear to their tooth enamel. The timeline for each individual will differ, so make sure to never base your experience on another person’s time with Invisalign.
As you begin treatment with clear aligners, keep these important factors in mind:
- You must commit to wearing your trays at least 20-22 hours each day. The only time you should take out your aligners is when you are eating, drinking (anything but water), and cleaning them. Leaving them out for a prolonged period of time will only lead to delays in treatment.
- Your aligners must be swapped out every 1-2 weeks based on the recommendation by your dentist. This ensures that your teeth continue to move in the right direction and have enough gentle and continuous pressure applied.
- You must keep your Invisalign trays in a protective case when not wearing them. It’s too easy to accidentally throw them away or damage them. Lost or broken aligners will require your dentist to have new ones created, which will cause a delay and have you spending more time wearing Invisalign than originally expected.
- You must maintain regular follow-up appointments with your dentist every 6-8 weeks to ensure everything is moving along smoothly.
The average timeline for successful Invisalign treatment is 8-16 months; however, this can go longer depending on the severity of your case. No matter how long you will be required to wear Invisalign aligners, following your dentist’s guidelines will help you see a straighter, more aesthetically pleasing smile in less time.
About the Author
Dr. Gretchen Anjomi is a trusted dentist in Newton who works closely with her patients to achieve healthier, more perfectly aligned, and beautiful smiles. Completing her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, she is a certified provider of Invisalign. Providing patients with an alternative to metal braces, she and the team at Newton Corner Dental Care can personalize each treatment plan to give individuals the opportunity to achieve faster results without the bulky metal brackets and wires. If you are interested in straightening your smile with Invisalign, contact us at (617) 332-6232.
