Invisalign treatment delivers results in anywhere from six months to two years.

Invisalign clear plastic aligners are a popular choice for those looking to take control of the appearance of their smile. But, how long can you expect your Invisalign treatment to take? And how does Invisalign treatment compare to traditional orthodontic bracing? Read more to learn about the Invisalign treatment process, including the factors that could influence your Invisalign treatment time.

Who is Invisalign treatment for?

Invisalign is a type of dental aligner that uses clear plastic trays to enhance smile appearance. They can be effective in straightening crooked teeth, closing gaps in the smile, and correcting underbites and overbites. The trays are worn for 20 to 22 hours per day, only being removed while eating and brushing teeth.

With their practically invisible appearance, Invisalign aligners are perfect for those looking to enhance the appearance of their smile in a discreet manner. This makes them ideal both for teenagers who wish to avoid the ‘obvious’ appearance of dental braces, and adults who either never had braces as a child, or did have braces, but whose teeth have subsequently shifted over time.

How does Invisalign treatment work?

At your first Invisalign appointment, your Orthodontist will need to take a moulding of your mouth. This is usually a plaster moulding, though it could be a computerised 3D imaging scan. Either way, this moulding is then sent off to a specialised laboratory where your individualised aligners are created.

When your aligners are ready, you will return to your Orthodontist to make sure everything is a good fit – and, as soon as the aligners are comfortably in place, the gradual process of realigning your teeth will begin. 

Every two weeks, you will receive new aligners to replace the old ones, with each set of new aligners minutely adjusted to continue your steady progress towards teeth alignment.

What factors can affect Invisalign treatment time?

Most patients will begin to see Invisalign results after the first few weeks and, on average, a full Invisalign treatment tends to last about 12 months. However, there are certain factors that could see this treatment time shorten to six months, or lengthen to a maximum of about two years.

Firstly, your age will be an important factor in determining your Invisalign treatment time. All forms of orthodontic alignment are more effective on younger patients, as teeth are easier to realign when they are still in development. This does not mean that Invisalign will be ineffective on adults — only that the treatment tends to take a little longer.

Secondly, the extent of the realignment that is required will also play a role. If you have significant crowding issues, or large gaps in your teeth, these will take longer to correct than minor alignment concerns. To put it simply: the greater the smile enhancement, the longer the treatment will take.

Finally, compliance is a key factor for the length of Invisalign treatment time. One of the treatment’s major advantages is that, unlike traditional braces, plastic aligners are removable. While, on the plus side, the lack of a permanent bracing solution in your mouth means you won’t have to avoid certain foods, and you won’t have to compromise your oral hygiene routine — on the downside, it does open the door to non-compliance. It is vitally important that Invisalign aligners are worn for the recommended 20-22 hours per day to keep the overall treatment time as short as possible.

How can we help?

Our priority at Straight Orthodontics is to make sure every patient is happy and achieves their dream smile. If you are looking to get your teeth professionally aligned, we can achieve fast, effective results with virtually invisible orthodontics. For more information about our Invisalign Dental treatment options, please read more here.

At Straight Orthodontics, we know that every person is unique and special. This is why we make sure your treatment plan is tailored using our in-depth assessments of your dental and facial structures. To book an appointment to meet our expert team of experienced professionals, please contact us here. Straight Orthodontics uses the latest technology to provide patients with their best smile. We are proud to offer a comprehensive range of orthodontic treatments to resolve any issues, always ensuring that there is solution for every patient. To read more about the range of dental treatments we have on offer, please visit our website.