Perhaps you’ve learned Invisalign’s advantages over metal braces. Namely, its aligners are clear, removable, and don’t get in the way of eating or dental care. Still, you might want to know how long you’d need it before committing to treatment. The Invisalign timeline, after all, will affect how you manage your schedule going forward. That being the case, your San Antonio dentist has some answers for you. Here’s a summary of how long you can expect the Invisalign process to take.
Invisalign’s Average Treatment Time
On average, an Invisalign treatment takes about a year or so to finish. However, this timing can vary based on your unique dental needs. Every person is different, and each patient’s teeth move at a different pace. As such, you may need more or less time for Invisalign to work well.
Given these facts, you’ll need to consult your dentist for an exact treatment estimate. Based on an oral exam and your initial Invisalign progress, they can tell you how long you’ll need.
What Impacts the Treatment Timeline?
Your time with Invisalign will depend on factors like the following:
Severe Alignment Problems
You may need more in-depth changes to get your straight smile. Should that be the case, you’ll need to wear Invisalign aligners for longer. Your dentist may use several approaches if the problems involve your teeth and jaw.
Gaps Between Teeth
Tooth gaps can stem from your gums’ structure, tooth loss, or teeth growing improperly. Whatever their cause, though, these gaps can extend your treatment timeline. Your aligners will need more time to move gapped teeth closer together.
Crowded Teeth
Treatment time also varies based on how crowded your teeth are. If you only have minor crowding, the correction may only take 6 months. In the case of severe crowding, the dentist will keep providing aligners until your teeth are straight.
How Can You Speed up the Process?
Despite your dental issues, there are ways to speed up the Invisalign process. Consider the tips below:
- Follow the Invisalign Wear-Time: Dentists recommend you wear your aligner trays for 20-22 hours per day. When you do so, your teeth move toward alignment in the shortest time.
- Give Your Aligners Proper Care: If an aligner gets cracked, tell your orthodontist so they can prepare a replacement tray for you.
- Change Your Trays on Schedule: Change your trays on time, or you’ll slow your teeth’ correction. The same applies to wearing your trays out of sequence.
As you can see, the Invisalign timeline ultimately depends on you. Therefore, use the tips above to ensure your smile is aligned quickly!
About the Practice
Jones & Knight DDS is based in San Antonio, TX. As led by Drs. Jones and Knight, our practice offers patients a wide variety of dental services. In particular, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as emergency procedures when needed. Furthermore, our office is a certified provider of Invisalign clear aligners! For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (210)-349-4408.