How Long Does It Take to Straighten My Teeth with Invisalign?

Many people want to straighten their teeth but are reluctant to commit to the conspicuous metal parts and dietary restrictions that come with traditional braces. Thankfully, Invisalign has allowed many patients to straighten out their smiles in a virtually invisible manner and in less time than would be necessary with braces. Here’s a quick overview of how long you can expect an Invisalign treatment to last and how your oral health can make it longer or shorter.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign is an orthodontic method that uses clear aligners to realign a smile without the wires, metal parts, and dietary restrictions required by traditional braces. The process begins with taking a digital map of the patient’s mouth. This provides the data necessary to manufacture a sequence of clear dental trays customized to fit the patient’s smile. Each set of trays must be worn for at least twenty hours every day and will move the patient’s teeth into slightly better alignment. Eventually, the smile will be corrected.

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The first thing to remember about how long Invisalign can take is that each patient is unique and their teeth will move at their own pace. An individual’s oral health, genetics, and diet can impact the length of their orthodontic treatment. On average, Invisalign needs about twelve months to correct a patient’s smile, but it can be as short as six months or as long as eighteen. Your orthodontist will discuss how much progress you are making during your appointments.

What Can Affect the Length of My Invisalign Treatment?

Certain factors can delay a patient’s Invisalign treatment. A few of these include:

• Alignment complications: If a patient has severe crowding, excessive gaps, or other orthodontic complications, Invisalign may take significantly longer.
• Compliance issues: If a patient is not wearing their aligners for at least twenty hours every day, their treatment may fall behind schedule or their teeth may shift out of place.
• Tooth decay or other oral health issues: Needing restorative dental work can delay a patient’s Invisalign treatment.

With proper care, you can keep your Invisalign treatment on track to be concluded as soon as possible. Consulting with your dentist can determine if Invisalign is appropriate for you.

About the Author

Dr. Chris Johnson earned his dental doctorate at Texas A&M College of Dentistry and regularly participates in continuing education classes to expand his skillset. He loves dentistry because it allows him to help people from all walks of life be healthier and happier. His office in Houston, TX offers preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to Invisalign treatments. To learn more about Invisalign, contact his office online or dial (713) 229-8100.