Invisalign continues to grow in its success as an effective orthodontic treatment. They are clear and discreet - and also removable. You don’t even have to make any lifestyle changes or give up any foods due to your braces. Consider Invisalign the easy road to a beautiful smile.
If you are in need of mild to moderate orthodontic treatment and are curious about Invisalign, then you likely have a few questions. We have the answers you are looking for.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Unlike traditional braces with their metal brackets and wires, Invisalign uses aligners made of soft, clear plastic to straighten teeth and correct other orthodontic issues.
A 3D image is created of your smile and, using special software, a plan for your new smile is created. From that, a series of aligners are custom-made just for you. You will wear each aligner for about two weeks before it is replaced with the next one. With this type of treatment, switching aligners is equivalent to going to the orthodontist to have traditional braces tightened.
Over time, teeth move into their new position. And your Invisalign treatment is complete.
How Long Will Invisalign Take?
So, how long will it take you to successfully get through your Invisalign treatment? It will depend on how many aligners you have and how extensive your treatment is. For instance, someone who needs very mild orthodontic treatment may only have 15 aligners whereas someone who needs more extensive treatment may require 50 aligners.
For most people, Invisalign treatment will take between six and 18 months.
What Factors Impact Invisalign’s Treatment Timeline?
There are a few factors that can have an impact on Invisalign’s treatment timeline, explaining why each patient will wear aligners for different periods of time.
- Overcrowded teeth. Depending on how severely your teeth are crowded will impact the timeline. Minor overcrowding can be fixed quite easily in several months. Serious overcrowding may take a lot longer - or may even require more extensive orthodontic treatment.
- Gaps. Fixing a gap in your teeth is something that can be taken care of quickly - sometimes even less than 6 months. Of course, it depends on the size of the gap.
- Age. Simply put, younger teeth move faster. And that means teens tend to have a shorter treatment time than older adults - even with the same level of treatment.
Get the Most of Your Invisalign Treatment
Invisalign treatment relies more heavily on the patient than other braces. This means that you play a significant role in how long your treatment will take.
The aligners are removable, but that doesn’t mean you can leave them for long periods. This will significantly delay your treatment. You should be wearing your Invisalign aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours every day.
What’s more, you have to change your aligner trays on schedule. Since these trays encourage your teeth to move, it is imperative that you follow the plan.
Following your dentist’s instructions will help you get the most out of your treatment.
Learn More About Invisalign
Are you interested in learning more about Invisalign, including whether or not they are an option for you? Then the dental professionals at Scarsdale Dental Group can help. We have watched many patients transform their smiles - and we want to help you too.
Contact us today at 914-723-4707 Or, request an appointment online.