Many orthodontists will advise that Invisalign treatment can take between 6 – 12 months or more, depending on your case. There's no one-size-fits-all for determining how long your treatment will last. That's because every patient will have their own individual tooth alignment issues.
But in general, you can expect the treatment to take around 1 to 1.5 years. For many people, you'll start seeing a noticeable difference in just 2 to 3 months of wearing these aligners. If you're wondering about what can make your Invisalign treatment time shorter or longer, then read on.
Invisalign is a fantastic option to straighten your teeth without the discomfort of traditional braces. Treatment time can be as short as 6 months, but every individual is different.
Most adults finish Invisalign treatment and have straight smiles in as little as 12-18 months. In some cases, noticeable results begin appearing just a few weeks after starting the Invisalign process. You wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day and get a new set of aligners every week or two.
Now, thanks to Invisalign's fast treatment options, you can have straighter teeth in as little as 3 months, without the appearance or inconvenience of metal braces. If all you need is a minor correction to your front teeth, then an Invisalign Express option could be exactly what you've been hoping for.
The biggest risk of missing any period of Invisalign® use is that the teeth may shift back to an incorrect position. Invisalign® aligners are intended to be worn for 22 to 23 hours out of the day. Any less than this, and you risk hurting your progress.
Your doctor will tell you how long to wear your aligners each day, but typically people wear their Invisalign aligners 20 to 22 hours a day to get the best results.
Invisalign can straighten your teeth quicker than traditional braces. Most patients are finished with treatment in just one to two years while traditional braces can take up to three years to yield significant results.
Depending on the individual undergoing treatment, it takes 4-8 months to complete. The dentist will use Invisalign Go if your teeth are crowded or widely spaced. They may also use them on teeth requiring slight rotations. This package allows 20-26 Invisalign aligner changes during orthodontics.
Typical Invisalign treatment requires wearing each aligner for two weeks. So in your case, with 31 aligners, you are looking at 62 weeks or about fifteen months. Bear in mind, however, that if any mid-course corrections, refinements, or other tweaking is needed it may take an additional few months.
Your Teeth Will Shift
Without fail, if you leave your Invisalign trays out for too long, your teeth will start to move back into their old positions. Orthodontic treatment can move the teeth rather quickly by applying pressure. In a similar fashion, a reduction in that pressure will have the opposite effect.
Treatment will get prolonged: The completion time and result of Invisalign are based on how long you wear it throughout the day. So if you do not wear your aligner for a day, it is inevitable that your treatment will go on for a longer period.
Many orthodontists will advise that Invisalign treatment can take between 6 – 12 months or more, depending on your case. There's no one-size-fits-all for determining how long your treatment will last. That's because every patient will have their own individual tooth alignment issues.
Your teeth can move in even a few hours which is why not wearing Invisalign for a day can have such an impact on your overall results. Specifically, if they're left out for too long they may not fit again when you attempt to put them back in.
Answer: Removing Invisalign Trays Many Times a Day
As long as you're getting in the full 22/hrs/day, you should be OK. The only risk you're taking is that the trays might crack prematurely from the multiple removals and insertions.
People who opt for Invisalign Express can usually complete their experience in around six months. However, it's not for everyone. You'll still need to have a fairly healthy biting relationship in your back teeth before electing to get accelerated braces.
Why Does The 22-Hour Rule Matter? If there is a cardinal rule for Invisalign, it's this: your trays must be worn 20 – 22 hours a day for them to be effective. The trays slowly and gradually shift your teeth into place, so if you aren't wearing them, they obviously cannot do their job!
When you need a little more time to straighten out your smile because of how many teeth are involved or the overall extent of your crowding, your costs will go up slightly more. Invisalign Lite includes up to 14 aligners and costs between $3,000 and $4,500.
People who require less or minimal teeth straightening can be given around 15-25 Invisalign trays, whereas those who need more major teeth straightening treatment can be given around 40-50 Invisalign trays. But on average, a patient requires around 20-30 sets of Invisalign aligners.
Because the Invisalign® system makes life easier for their patients, orthodontists often prefer it over metal braces. However, for patients with severely misaligned teeth, braces are the better option. Sometimes, teeth need to be twisted as part of the straightening process.
Compare Invisalign and Braces
For adults, Invisalign® is often preferred because it's practically invisible, results in fewer emergency appointments, requires fewer visits, and adults often present with compromised teeth and/or gum tissues.
You can occasionally remove your Invisalign aligners to enjoy a special night out. There's no need to change a thing. Continue your day-to-day activities while still straightening your teeth.
In short, you'll have to wear your retainers for the rest of your life after finishing Invisalign treatment. It might sound inconvenient, but it's well worth the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful, straight, healthy smile for life!
Invisalign benefits you more when you wear it more than 20 hours a day, including while you're sleeping. Therefore, yes, you should wear your Invisalign while you sleep. In addition, you should only take out your Invisalign or aligners only to drink hot drinks, eat, and brush your teeth.