Invisalign Timeline: How Long Does Treatment Take?

Clear aligners are an excellent way to correct issues with your pearly whites discreetly. They are also more comfortable and easier to clean than traditional metal braces. Though treatment usually takes 12 to 18 months to complete, several factors can impact how long you will need to wear your trays to achieve the desired results. Read on to what factors can affect your Invisalign timeline and what you can do to stay on track.

How Crooked Your Teeth Are

The severity of your orthodontic issues will have a big impact on how long you need to wear your clear aligners. If your teeth are only slightly crooked, treatment can be completed in as little as six months. If your teeth are very crooked, it may take several years.

Your Bite Misalignment

How misaligned your smile is will also affect your Invisalign timeline. Some alignment issues can lead to orthodontic issues, too. For example, a bite that is seriously misaligned can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. This may lead to jaw pain, headaches, issues biting and chewing your food, and trouble speaking. Another potential side effect is bruxism, which is characterized by clenching of the jaw and grinding of the teeth. Alignment issues that are too severe to correct with Invisalign may need to be treated with traditional orthodontic appliances like braces.

How You Affect Your Invisalign Timeline

In addition to how crooked and misaligned your teeth are, several other things will impact your Invisalign timeline. To stay on track, make sure to do the following:

• Wear your aligners – Invisalign needs to be worn for 20 to 22 hours each day to be as effective as possible.
• Practice good oral hygiene – Brush and floss after each meal to make sure you don’t transfer any food to your aligners.
• Switch to your new trays on time – Be sure to switch to your next set of aligners on the right date. Try doing so before you go to bed so you can sleep through the first few hours of discomfort.
• Prioritize dental visits – Visiting your dentist throughout treatment will allow them to make sure that everything is going as planned and make adjustments if needed.
• Be careful with your aligners – Don’t use hot water to rinse your aligners, as this can cause them to become misshapen. Use cool water instead and let them soak in a solution made for Invisalign, retainers, or dentures to eliminate bacteria.

As you can see, there are a few different factors that can affect your Invisalign timeline. By keeping up with your oral hygiene, taking good care of your aligners, and visiting your dentist, you will be able to stay on track and enjoy a new and improved smile in no time!

About the Author

Led by Dr. Glenn Shtarkman and Dr. Caroline Salib, the talented team of Parma Heights oral health professionals at Advanced Dental Center is here to help you achieve the gorgeous grin of your dreams. They offer high-quality, durable Invisalign clear aligners to apply gentle but constant pressure on your pearly whites and move them into a better position. Before you know it, you’ll have the beautiful smile you always wanted! To make an appointment with Advanced Dental Center or for more information on Invisalign, visit their website or call their office at (440) 885-5354.