Gone are the days when the only options for fixing a crooked smile were wearing braces or headgear. Today, both adults and teenagers use clear plastic aligners to perfect their smile without anyone knowing, & Invisalign is the most popular, well-known type of clear aligner treatment available. For older kids and adults who would rather not rock a metal mouth, Invisalign promises to straighten your teeth using a method so subtle it is practically invisible! You won’t lose your smile’s appeal or appearance while wearing Invisalign plastic aligners, which many people seeking out orthodontic treatment are attracted to. If you’re one of those people, you’re probably wondering how long it takes for Invisalign treatment to work. The answer to this question depends on several of variables indicated below.
How Long Does It Take to Straighten Teeth Using Invisalign?
The first thing you should know about how long it takes for Invisalign to work is that treatment time varies from person to person. Depending on the unique needs of you and your smile, you could be done with treatment in as little as six months, or need to wear the aligners for somewhere between 1-2 years if your smile’s needs are more complex. However, you will start to see visible improvements to your smile in just as little as a few weeks once you begin treatment, no matter what your total length of treatment is, and being able to see those steady improvements taking place tends to keep patients motivated with their eyes on the prize throughout the duration of the time they’re wearing their aligners. Below, we’ll review two significant factors that may impact how long you will need to wear your Invisalign aligners.
Reasons Your Timeline May Differ
Invisalign treatment is highly personalized, so it may take around a year for some patients, while others may require two. Below are a few key examples of why timelines differ for different patients.
1. Crowded Teeth
A minor case of crowded teeth can be treated with Invisalign in as little as six months. However, treatment tends to take longer for more severe cases of crowding. If your case is very severe, your orthodontist might advise getting headgear or having some teeth extracted to leave enough room for the remaining teeth. This is why it’s crucial to consult with your orthodontist thoroughly before starting treatment, because they’ll tell you if you’re a suitable candidate for Invisalign or not.
2. Teeth Gapping
If you have a little gap between your teeth and that’s the only thing that needs to be corrected, your treatment might only last for as little as 8 weeks! However, this teeth-straightening technique will take considerably longer if your gaps are larger. It’s important to note that gaps can reappear if you don’t follow the orthodontic treatment plan your doctor prescribes. You must continue to wear the retainer long after the gaps have been fixed.
How long it will take for Invisalign to straighten your teeth will largely depend on circumstances like the above that are specific to you. For minor cases, treatment length will be shorter. However, expect Invisalign to take a little longer if your teeth have more significant issues to resolve. Are you ready to transform your smile the invisible way? Give Mint Hill Orthodontics a call at 980.243.8030 today to get your FREE Smile Consult on the books!
