Based on a thorough examination, our Delta dentists will be able to determine the approximate duration of your Invisalign treatment. If you're wondering how long your treatment will take, read on.
When your Invisalign treatment begins, your dentist will supply you with the series of clear plastic aligners that will straighten your teeth over time. Each set of these aligners is responsible for making a specific adjustment to the position of your teeth, after which you will move on to the next set. This process will be carefully planned out by your dentist before treatment begins.
When the aligners are place on your teeth, they will gradually shift them into their new, predetermined positions.
How long will I wear each set of aligners?
Each set of aligners in the series will be worn for about two weeks.
How many sets of aligners will I need for my treatment?
The number of aligners you'll need will depend on the severity of your misalignment. The more complex it is, the more aligners you'll need to correct it.
Most patients can expect a minimum of 10 trays, but it varies significantly from person to person. Some patients may need 24 trays, and others may need more that 40; there are also cases where up to 100 trays have been necessary.
How long will my Invisalign treatment take altogether?
The total duration of your Invisalign treatment will depend, again, on the severity of your misalignment, and how many trays are necessary to correct it. Invisalign treatment takes an average 12 months, but this time frame can vary significantly depending on the complexity of your misalignment.
Invisalign treatment takes approximately the same amount of time as traditional braces would to correct a given misalignment.
If your dentist has already determined approximately how many aligners you will need, you can do the math to figure out how many months treatment will take. Since you'll wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, simply multiply your number of aligners by two, and then divide by four.
This will give you an rough idea of how long your treatment will take, but there is another very important factor to keep in mind:
Your Commitment to Treatment
You will be able to remove your aligners to eat, and to brush and floss your teeth. This is very convenient, but there is a potential downside. It can make it easy for patients to "take breaks" from treatment, or forget to put their aligners back in (this is obviously not a problem with metal braces).
Removing your aligners too frequently or for too long at a stretch can cause serious problems and delays in your orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign must be worn full time, for a minimum of 22 hours a day, everyday, to make sure treatment goes according to plan. If you don't do this, the result may be treatment setback and even damage to your teeth and oral structures.