How long does Invisalign take to straighten teeth?
Just like traditional metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners help to straighten your teeth and address orthodontic issues.
The amount of time that Invisalign treatment takes will vary from person to person. While you may begin to see a change in your smile in the first few months, it may take a couple of years to reach your goal.
Factors Affecting the Invisalign Timeline
The Invisalign treatment process will be tailored to your specific needs and oral health goals. Some of the factors that may affect the length of time that your treatment takes include:
Crowded Teeth
If you have crowded teeth, your treatment with Invisalign may take more or less time, depending on the severity of the crowding.
In some cases, your orthodontist may also recommend having some of your teeth removed to make more space. This will give your teeth the room they need to shift into a straighter position.
Gapped Teeth
If you have a small space between two of your teeth, Invisalign may be able to move your teeth into their preferred position in a fairly short amount of time, while larger gaps may require a more robust treatment plan.
You will need to wear a retainer once your Invisalign treatment has concluded to help maintain the spacing of your new smile.
Teen vs. Adult Invisalign
While treatment for adults and teens is essentially the same, the main difference is that teenagers may require reminders to help keep their treatment on track.
Luckily, Invisalign offers a line of aligners that's geared toward teenagers. These have special blue dots that disappear after about two weeks (or 336 hours) of wear, indicating it's time for the next set.