If you are unhappy with the aesthetics of your smile, you aren’t alone. 70% of Americans say they feel self-conscious about their teeth and smiles. This can have a direct impact on a person’s confidence in both social, romantic, and career situations.
For those interested in orthodontic treatment, Invisalign clear aligners are highly recommended. This is because they are affordable, removable, comfortable to wear, and offer quick treatment times.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at that last point and ask “How long does Invisalign take?” We will also share information on the factors that affect treatment times and how you can speed up your treatment. Let’s get started.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
On average, Invisalign treatment takes between 6 months and 18 months. This is less than other types of braces, including traditional metal braces, though the exact treatment time will differ from patient to patient.
The good news is that Invisalign treatment requires fewer dental visits than other treatment types. This is because patients upgrade to new aligners every week or so. As there are no brackets or wires to deal with, Invisalign treatment is more straightforward for patients.
If you are interested in learning more about why so many people are choosing to undergo orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, check out these benefits of straight teeth.
Factors That Affect Treatment Times
Treatment times for patients with only small issues to fix may be less than 6 months, while patients with severe spacing, crowding, or bite issues will naturally face longer treatment times.
Other issues that determine the length of Invisalign treatment include the patient’s age (whether they are a child or adult) and how compliant they are with their treatment plan.
Best practices for wearing Invisalign clear aligners to speed up treatment times include:
- Keeping up with scheduled orthodontist appointments
- Wearing the clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day (only removing them for cleaning and eating)
- Switching to new trays on schedule
- Speaking to your orthodontist
- Cleaning your aligners as directed by your orthodontist
- Using Invisalign chewies to remove air bubbles between the aligners and your teeth
Ignoring the above advice can result in longer treatment times and risk not getting the smile that you want. Speak to an orthodontist if you have any queries about the above information.
How to Get Straight Teeth With Invisalign Clear Aligners
Compared to other types of braces, the Invisalign process is straightforward and quick. Invisalign has a number of benefits over other options, noticeably that the clear aligners are almost entirely invisible. They are also comfortable and removable, as well as resulting in an amazing smile.
For more information on the benefits of Invisalign, we recommend that you speak to an experienced orthodontist. Like this blog post on how long does Invisalign take? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.
