These days, it’s rare that we have a patient that hasn’t heard of Invisalign. With commercials and magazine ads everywhere you look, most people know exactly what clear aligners are and even how they work. Still, it’s common for people to have some questions regarding Invisalign when they come in for a consultation and one of the most common is, “How long does Invisalign take to straighten your teeth?” You may think this would have a simple answer, but it’s a bit more complicated than you might expect.
Average Invisalign Treatment Time
The Invisalign website lists 12 to 18 months as the average treatment time for most patients. Of course, this is an average, which means you might be one of the lucky patients who completes their treatment in less than a year, while others may require a longer treatment time than 18 months. That said, the majority of patients complete their treatment within this timeframe.
One of the key benefits of Invisalign is its predictability. Dr. Roisman plans the movements of your teeth, which means he can easily determine how many aligners you’ll need for your treatment when you come in for your consultation. Knowing how many aligners you need also means we have a rough idea of how long your treatment will take since each set of aligners is worn for about two weeks.
Understanding Your Orthodontic Needs
The amount of orthodontic correction you need is the most significant determining factor when it comes to how long you’ll have to wear Invisalign aligners. Patients with more complex orthodontic issues require longer treatment times, which is true of all orthodontic treatment options, not just Invisalign.
Often, we have adult patients come to our office interested in Invisalign because they didn’t wear their retainers when they were younger and their teeth shifted back after having braces. These patients may only need a few months of Invisalign to achieve results. In contrast, a patient who has never had orthodontic treatment and has issues with misaligned teeth and their bite could need to wear aligners for up to 18 months.
Compliance With Invisalign Treatment
We can come up with a good ballpark estimate of your treatment time based on the number of aligners you need, but this assumes that you use your aligners as directed. Invisalign only works when you use it; if you take your aligners out often and leave them out for extended periods of time, you’ll lengthen your treatment.
Although Invisalign suggests wearing aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, we recommend simply leaving them in all the time unless you’re eating, brushing, flossing, or drinking something other than water. This is the best way to make sure you’re wearing your aligners for a sufficient amount of time to achieve the results you want on the timeline we predict during your consultation.
Learn More About Invisalign
Are you wondering how long it will take to straighten your teeth with Invisalign? During your consultation, we can provide you with an estimated timeline. Contact us today at 203-227-6338 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Roisman.