How Quick Will Invisalign Straighten Your Teeth?

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that is designed to straighten the teeth and align the bite. It also has cosmetic benefits as it can improve your smile. Aligner-based orthodontics is a different method than braces, providing a more discreet and comfortable way to straighten your teeth. In most cases Invisalign treatment takes less time than braces.

How quickly will Invisalign straighten your teeth? It varies from one patient to another, but here’s an idea of what you can expect in terms of treatment duration. 

What is Invisalign and How Does it Work?

Invisalign uses clear plastic trays called aligners that fit over your teeth. You’ll wear a series of aligners that are designed to shift the teeth into the proper position so that they are straight and your upper and lower teeth meet together properly. The aligners are virtually invisible, allowing you to get the orthodontic treatment you need in a discreet way. 

Aligners are also removable, which means there are no food restrictions during treatment and no special brushing or flossing techniques required. The aligners are made of smooth plastic that won’t irritate the soft tissues of your mouth. 

Average Treatment Time For Invisalign

Invisalign treatment typically ranges anywhere from 6 to 18 months. Once impressions are made of your teeth and your treatment plan is created, you’ll have a more accurate estimate of how long the process will take for you. A series of aligners is created for you that will gradually shift your teeth into the desired position. You’ll wear each aligner for about 2 weeks, then switch to the next. The total number of aligners multiplied by 2 weeks gives you the total number of weeks for your treatment. 

Factors That Affect Treatment Time 

There are a number of factors that determine how long it will take for Invisalign to straighten your teeth: 

• Severity of your case. The biggest factor in the length of your treatment time is the extent of your orthodontic needs. The greater number of movements your teeth need to make and the further your teeth need to be shifted, the longer your treatment will take. Each aligner is capable of making subtle movements of your teeth. As you switch from one aligner to the next, your teeth will eventually reach the final desired position. 
• Wearing your aligners. In order for the aligners to do their job, you need to wear them at least 22 hours a day. If you don’t, you’ll need to wear each aligner for longer than 2 weeks to achieve the desired results. This will extend your total treatment time. 
• Going to appointments. Throughout Invisalign treatment you’ll have periodic appointments to monitor your progress and make sure your teeth are making the necessary movements. These appointments also allow your dentist to make any needed adjustments to your treatment plan to help keep your progress on track, otherwise there could be delays that will lengthen your overall treatment time. 
• Your age. Invisalign treatment may take longer for adults than for children and teens. This is because children and teens are still growing, especially during adolescence where significant growth spurts are common. Invisalign can take advantage of growth spurts and the growth hormones that are present to shift the teeth more easily. Adult teeth are settled in place, making them more difficult to move and resulting in longer treatment. 

Is Invisalign Quicker Than Braces?

In many cases Invisalign treatment is shorter than braces treatment. The main reason for this is the fact that Invisalign can only treat mild to moderate orthodontic conditions. Patients with extensive orthodontic needs may not be candidates for Invisalign and will need braces. Some patients will finish braces treatment in a shorter time than some Invisalign patients. 

Where Can I Get Invisalign?

If you’re interested in Invisalign treatment, you can often get this treatment from your dentist without a referral to an orthodontist. Queens Crown Dental provides Invisalign treatment for patients of all ages who are ideal candidates. After a brief evaluation we can determine whether or not Invisalign would be right for you. 

Call 808-526-2800 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.