Many people are increasingly turning to Invisalign to correct their crooked or gapped teeth. But they often wonder: how long does Invisalign take? Read on to learn about how Invisalign can help you achieve a winning smile.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign is a set of clear aligner trays that have been customised to fit your mouth. Rather than being attached directly to your teeth like traditional braces, Invisalign aligners sit on top of your teeth, similar to a mouthguard. Each individual cell that covers a tooth applies pressure in a specific direction to move them gradually into the correct position.
After your Invisalign aligners have arrived from the lab, your dentist or orthodontist will show you how to insert the trays properly, give you instructions for cleaning, and provide you with a detailed schedule of when you need to change the tray to the next in the series. This is usually every 1-2 weeks. You will be regularly reviewed by your dental professional during the course of treatment.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
The length of time patients need to wear their Invisalign aligners depends on the severity and complexity of the case. For simple cases of mild to moderate malocclusions, not complicated by bite issues, patients can complete treatment in as little as 12 months, but treatment can take up to 18 months.
For complex cases, such as excess space, severe crowding, overbites, underbites or crossbites, it is recommended that patients wear their Invisalign aligners for 18-24 months to ensure the best result possible.
Is Invisalign Faster Than Braces?
This can vary from case to case so it and some procedures are better treated by traditional braces. Your dentist or Orthodontist who uses Invisalign aligners should be able to provide you the best advice.
Does Invisalign Take Longer to Work in Adult Patients?
Orthodontists are seeing a significant increase in the demand for adult orthodontic work, and many adults are choosing to wear Invisalign aligners as they are more discreet than other options.
However, adult patients may find that their Invisalign treatment can take longer than it would for a younger patient as they do not experience bone growth in the same way that an adolescent does.
It is also important to note that your teeth need to be in very good condition, and have any other reparative work completed prior to commencing Invisalign.
How to Maximise Your Invisalign Treatment
There are a few things you can do to make sure your Invisalign aligners correct the alignment of your teeth in the quickest time possible.
Wear Your Invisalign Trays
It is important to wear your Invisalign aligners for as many hours as possible to allow the trays to apply the correct amount of pressure to your teeth and realign them more effectively. It is recommended that patients wear their Invisalign aligners for at least 22 hours per day, but no less than 20 hours per day, to achieve the desired results.
Don’t Forget Your Invisalign Trays
One of the benefits of Invisalign aligners is that they are removable, which makes it easier to perform proper oral hygiene and eat without food getting stuck in your teeth. The removable nature of the trays means they can be easily forgotten, and if you don’t wear your trays for prolonged periods, it can slow your progress.
Always clean or rinse your Invisalign aligners before placing them back in your mouth.
Clean and Maintain Your Invisalign Trays
Thorough cleaning and maintenance are vital to make sure your Invisalign aligners stay in good condition and perform correctly. Ideally, you should clean your Invisalign aligners every time you brush your teeth and give them a good rinse under lukewarm clean water each time you take them out of your mouth.
To clean Invisalign aligners, you can use specially formulated Invisalign cleaning crystals to remove bacteria and debris. Alternatively, there are many natural methods for cleaning Invisalign aligners that use products you may already have at home.
Wear a Retainer
The process of straightening your teeth doesn’t end after your Invisalign treatment finishes. As with all orthodontic treatments, you will need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in the correct position.
Wear your retainer daily for 9-12 months after your Invisalign treatment finishes, to allow your jaw to build up adequate bone structure to stabilise your teeth in position. After an assessment by your orthodontist, they may recommend only wearing your retainer a few times per week.
Final Thoughts
Straightening teeth takes time, but with Invisalign aligners, you can look forward to a straighter smile in less time than with traditional braces. To find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign aligners, call CP Dental at our Coopers Plains or Emerald Branches or also reach out to our friends at Brisbane Orthodontics for any further information or to make an appointment.
