How Long Does Invisalign Take to Straighten Teeth?
Jersey City Dental Spa • Jan 13, 2020
Invisalign is growing in popularity because of its comfortability, but how long does Invisalign take to straighten teeth? Find out here.
You're thinking about treating your dental spacing problem and you're caught between Invisalign aligners and traditional braces.
We understand any apprehension you might have towards Invisalign aligners. There is always some confusion with newer products on the market, especially when they seem as magical as Invisalign.
Don't worry. We're breaking down what Invisalign is and answering one of the most popularly asked questions: how long does Invisalign take to straighten teeth?
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners
that were manufactured as a modern replacement to traditional braces. The clear aligners are customized for your teeth.
Invisalign is just one of the brands that make clear aligners like this.
This kind of dental aligner works as a series of invisible, removable trays that fit over your teeth. They are built for each patient individually using 3D computer imaging technology.
Invisalign - and other companies that create and sell clear aligners - has been proven effective when used over time.
Besides their invisibility and personalization, clear aligners are also revered for their comfort and ease. The aligners don't have any metal or wires, so you don't need to have adjustments or worry about cutting your mouth. They are also removable so that you can eat and drink as well as brush and floss without any problems.
How It Works
Since Invisalign is made specifically for your teeth and your teeth will be moving over time, you must get new trays throughout your treatment.
Patients who are prescribed Invisalign usually wear each set for about two weeks before getting the next aligner in the series. As you progress in treatment, you will visit your dentist about every six weeks to ensure that things are going well.
You should wear your Invisalign braces for about 22 hours a day to get the full effect of treatment.
One concern that many patients have is the total treatment time that a product like Invisalign will take.
How Long Does Invisalign Take to Straighten Teeth?
Invisalign works by slowly moving your teeth into the prescribed alignment. The full treatment normally lasts between nine and fifteen months.
Patients who go through treatment with Invisalign usually use between eighteen and thirty aligners as their teeth shift over time.
However, the total treatment time for each patient case is different depending on a number of factors.
Crowded Teeth
Sometimes a patient's jaw is too small to fit all of their teeth normally. In response to this, the teeth may overlap or bunch together. Teeth that twist and reposition like this have been termed 'crowded.'
Plaque and tartar form easier with crowded teeth, because patients have trouble brushing and flossing well with harshly unaligned teeth. These problems can buildup over time and lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Invisalign has been shown to help with crowded teeth. However, the treatment for crowding can take longer and require more molds if the overlapping is significant.
If only mild, crowded teeth can be fixed in six months. More severe cases will take longer and may even require additional intervention.
Gap Teeth
Gap teeth is a term that refers to extra space in between a patient's teeth. Food can get stuck in these gaps and cause tenderness, soreness, and even gum disease.
Clear aligners like Invisalign are able to close this gap. If the gap is small, your spacing issue may be fixed in eight weeks. If the gap is bigger, it may take longer.
Unfortunately, the gap can return over time even after completing a full course of Invisalign. This is why many orthodontists recommend that their patients start wearing a retainer after finishing their round of Invisalign.
Patient Age
The total time for an Invisalign treatment does not differ much with age.
Some orthodontists have found that teenage patients may take slightly longer to complete their treatment. However, the majority of dentists attribute this to compliance issues. Teenagers are less likely to wear the braces for the appropriate amount of time.
How Does Invisalign Compare to Traditional Braces?
Many patients are left choosing between Invisalign aligners and traditional braces. The two choices are commonly presented to patients who are looking to solve their dental malalignment, gap teeth, crowded teeth, and similar conditions.
However, Invisalign sets itself apart in many ways:
Invisalign Works Faster
Traditional braces that fix dental spacing issues with metal and wire require longer courses of treatment. These braces often require two years of commitment to complete dental treatment. Invisalign can work in half that time.
Invisalign is More Comfortable
Traditional braces are attached to your teeth and require regular tightening visits. This constant adjustment is often painful and inconvenient.
Invisalign aligners are removable so that you can eat, drink, brush, and floss comfortably. There is no tightening or painful metal either.
Invisalign Requires the Same Number of Visits
Traditional braces are tightened every two to three weeks on average. Similarly, your Invisalign tray should be replaced in the same amount of time.
Invisalign does not require any additional visits, but the visits are definitely less painful than getting metal braces tightened.
Invisalign Is More Durable
Any braces can break if they aren't handled carefully. However, the metal on traditional braces is more likely to break than an Invisalign tray.
Brackets commonly break off of metal braces as well. Any breakage could require an extra trip to your orthodontist which is not cheap.
The trip is also painful if a break in the metal requires more manipulation of your braces.
The Clear Choice
Invisalign is a great choice for patients looking for an easy, comfortable fix for their alignment issues.
How long does Invisalign take to straighten teeth? Honestly, it depends.
If you want to find out if Invisalign is right for you, feel free to contact us. Our team here at the Dental Spa in Jersey City
can guide you through your Invisalign decision and any treatments you decide to complete.
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