If you're considering Invisalign to straighten your teeth and improve your smile, it’s natural to wonder how long the process takes. The answer is a little more complicated than you might imagine because there are a few distinct factors at play when estimating the length of treatment. Here's what you need to know about how long it takes Invisalign to straighten your teeth and correct your bite.
Average Invisalign Treatment Time
At Cosmetic & Reconstructive Dentistry in Fairfield, CT, the average Invisalign treatment time is between 5 to 8 months, but there are always exceptions. Some patients may achieve results in even less time, particularly if they had braces as a teen and simply want to refine their smiles after an orthodontic relapse; other patients may have complex cases that take more than 8 months to treat.
Your Individual Orthodontic Case
Your orthodontic case—meaning the severity of your teeth crowding, spacing, and bite issues—determines how many aligners you need. In turn, the number of aligners you need determines how long your Invisalign treatment will take. As mentioned above, patients with only minor orthodontic issues may only need a few sets of aligners, while patients with severe bite issues will require more. In short, the more aligners you need, the longer your treatment will take.
Predictability is one of the key advantages of the Invisalign system over traditional braces. When you come in for your complimentary consultation with Dr. Donald Miller, he'll be able to determine how many aligners you'll need to straighten your teeth, and this number will give him the ability to predict the length of your treatment.
Compliance With Invisalign Treatment
While Dr. Miller can estimate the length of your Invisalign treatment based on the severity of your orthodontic case and the number of aligners you need, he cannot predict your compliance with the Invisalign system. This is the other major determining factor in how long it will take you to achieve your desired results with Invisalign.
Invisalign recommends wearing aligners between 20 to 22 hours per day, but we encourage wearing them all the time, except when you are drinking anything other than water, eating, brushing your teeth, or flossing. Invisalign aligners work only when you wear them, unlike traditional braces which are permanently attached to your teeth and work around the clock. By wearing your aligners as much as possible each day, you can ensure that your treatment is on the right track, and on the timeline Dr. Miller shared during your consultation appointment.
If you take your aligners out frequently, your treatment may take longer than Dr. Miller predicted during your consultation. Fortunately, because Invisalign aligners are clear, comfortable, and convenient, most of our patients have no trouble wearing them as directed. Since they're practically invisible, there's no reason to take them out for work, special events, or social gatherings!
Learn More About Invisalign in Fairfield, CT
Is Invisalign the right orthodontic treatment option for you? To learn more, contact us today at 203-255-6878 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Miller.
If you are considering Invisalign to improve your smile, please consider scheduling a complimentary consultation with Dr. Donald Miller of Cosmetic & Reconstructive Dentistry in Fairfield, CT today. Please call 203-255-6878 or click here to schedule an appointment.