How Long Will I Have to Wear Invisalign Aligners to Straighten My Teeth?

You want straighter teeth, and Invisalign clear aligners seem like a great solution because of their low-profile design and convenient removability. But as a busy adult, another important factor you have to consider is the treatment timeline. How long will you have to wear Invisalign until the process can be considered complete?

If you’re trying to crunch the numbers on how many weeks and months you’ll have to commit to, keep reading. There are some important Invisalign treatment details you should know!

Your Teeth Will Affect the Average Timeline

On average, Invisalign can straighten crooked teeth faster than traditional braces. Many patients are able to go aligner-free after just 12-to-18 months. However, the process could take longer if your misalignment is severe – or it could be shorter if your teeth are only slightly bent out of shape. Once your dentist takes a good look at your dental situation, they’ll be able to give you a more precise estimate.

Why Do the Treatment Times Vary?

You’ll want to know how Invisalign works for this one. Clear aligners like Invisalign nudge teeth into more favorable positions by applying increasing amounts of pressure. Naturally, when you push on something, it’ll move if it’s flexible enough to do so. Teeth are flexible enough to move, but they’re not free-floating in your gumline. Every tooth is attached to connective tissue and part of your jawbone.

As your pearly white shifts, those organic materials also shift. However, their job is a bit harder! Essentially, they have to break down to make room for the new dental position and rebuild themselves to provide solid support. Basically, if more movement needs to happen to achieve your dream smile, there’s a lot more adjustment going on beneath the surface that will affect the treatment timeline.

Is There Anything I Can Do to Avoid Treatment Delays?

You might not be able to control how your oral biology reacts to your Invisalign aligners, but there are still things you can do to help the process progress smoothly! Here are some tips:

• Carefully follow your dentist’s instructions
• Be diligent about wearing your aligners for 22 hours per day
• Take care of your aligners with proper maintenance and cleaning
• Take care of your teeth, too!
• Protect your aligners from damage by keeping them in their case when removed

Rest assured that your teeth, jaw, and oral tissue will be hard at work adjusting to their new positions while you’re undergoing Invisalign treatment. Depending on the severity of your case, you may have to wear the aligners for longer – or shorter! – than 12-to-18 months. However, if you listen to your dentist and follow all the guidelines, you can reasonably expect your Invisalign treatment to progress as planned.

About the Practice

Dr. Frank Marchese and his daughter, Dr. Jeanelle Marchese (“Dr. Nellie”), actively pursue advanced training opportunities to further hone their professional skills and knowledge. This helps them provide the best care possible for their patients, particularly when it comes to cosmetic treatments like Invisalign. If you have questions or concerns about how long it might take Invisalign aligners to straighten your teeth, give Dr. Marchese and Dr. Nellie’s office a call at 630-969-2310.