These days, most people are familiar with clear aligners thanks to their popularity and advertising in magazines and on television. When patients come in for an Invisalign consultation, they usually already know how Invisalign works, but what they want to know is, "How long does Invisalign take to straighten your teeth?" You may think the answer is straightforward, but it's a little more complicated than you might imagine!
Average Invisalign Treatment Time
According to Invisalign, the average treatment time for most patients is 12 to 18 months. Of course, this is an average, so you could be one of the lucky people who finishes their aligner therapy in less than a year, or you may require more than 18 months. The average is a decent ballpark figure and most patients do finish treatment within this time range, but it’s important to realize that not everyone does.
Predictability is one of the main advantages of Invisalign. When you come in for your consultation, we will plan the movements of your teeth, allowing us to determine how many aligners you'll need for your treatment. Because each set of aligners is worn for approximately two weeks, knowing how many aligners you require gives us a rough estimate of how long your treatment will take.
Understanding Your Orthodontic Needs
When it comes to how long you'll have to wear Invisalign aligners, the amount of orthodontic correction you need is the most important determining factor. Longer treatment timeframes are required for patients with more difficult orthodontic cases, which is true of all orthodontic treatment options, not just Invisalign.
Adult patients are often interested in Invisalign if they did not wear their retainers and their teeth shifted back after orthodontic treatment when they were younger. These patients may only need Invisalign for a few months to achieve results. A patient who has never undergone orthodontic treatment and has more complex problems with their teeth and bite may need to wear aligners for more than 18 months.
Compliance With Invisalign Treatment
We can give you an estimate of how long your treatment will take based on the number of aligners you'll need, but we’re working on the assumption that you'll wear them as instructed. Invisalign aligners only work when you wear them; if you take your aligners out frequently or for long periods of time, your treatment will take longer.
Although Invisalign recommends wearing aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, we suggest wearing them at all times, unless you're eating, brushing your teeth, flossing, or drinking anything other than water. This is the easiest way to ensure that you're wearing your aligners for long enough to achieve the results you want within the timeframe we estimate at your initial consultation appointment.
Learn More About Invisalign
Are you wondering how long it will take to straighten your teeth with Invisalign? We can provide you with an estimated timeline when you come in for a consultation. Contact us today at +1-613-544-2224 to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists.