How long does Invisalign treatment take?

Invisalign is an inconspicuous option for straightening teeth for those who are wary of the aesthetics of metal braces. Here, our Village Orthodontics - Niagara Falls team explains approximately how long the Invisalign process will take.

Invisalign is a series of clear plastic aligners that are worn over months to gradually straighten teeth. In this way, they're similar to metal braces, but they have the added benefit of being less noticeable to others when they're worn.

The average Invisalign treatment course for adults is about a year, and the average treatment course for teens is a little longer. However, each patient is unique, and several factors could influence how long your Invisalign treatment takes.

The Severity of Your Misalignment

Invisalign will take longer to straighten your teeth if they are severely misaligned. This is also true with braces, but with Invisalign, the severity of your misalignment determines the number of aligners you'll need.

The Number of Aligners in Your Series

Invisalign treatment consists of a series of aligners that must be swapped out every other week or so, as directed by your dentist. If you already know how many aligners are in your series, you can figure out how long your treatment will take with some simple math.

Let’s assume you have 16 sets of aligners.

You have to switch them out every two weeks, so that’s two sets of aligners each month.

16 divided by 2 is 8, so that means your treatment will take 8 months.

Your Compliance with Treatment

Your choices throughout the treatment process will have a significant impact on how long it takes. Your dentist will estimate how long treatment will take at the start of the procedure. Wear your aligners as directed by your dentist to ensure that your treatment goes as planned (and doesn't take any longer).

You must wear your aligners full-time every day during your Invisalign treatment. This means you'll have to wear your aligners for about 22 hours every day.

This will ensure that your treatment does not go on for too long. Your teeth may shift back out of position if you leave your aligners out for too long or remove them too frequently, causing delays and setbacks. As a result, only take out your aligners to eat, brush, and floss... Don't forget to replace them when you're finished.

How long before I start noticing results?

Around the 4 to 6-week mark, most patients start to see results from their Invisalign treatment. Take a picture of your smile once a week to get a better idea of how much your teeth are moving.

Interested in trying orthodontic treatment with Invisalign? Contact our Village Orthodontics - Niagara Falls team to book a consultation! Or find a Village Orthodontics location near you.