How Long Will It Take for Invisalign to Work for Me?

Rome wasn’t built in a day, right? That’s essentially what you’ve realized about your smile – it’s not going to look perfect overnight. You’ve heard some good things about Invisalign clear braces and think that might be the right choice for you, but how long is it going to take? This is an answer that needs some discussion with a dentist in Schenectady, so keep reading to find out what your Invisalign timeline might look like.

What’s the Process for Invisalign Treatment?

As you might already know, the Invisalign process involves wearing a series of plastic, removable aligners that you switch to at set increments. Your dentist will take photographs and a 3D scan of your teeth, plus a corresponding X-ray, to determine if you are an Invisalign candidate and write up a recommendation.

If approved, your dentist then creates a 3D computerized model to help them figure out where your teeth need to move so they can plan the aligners. Depending on your situation, you may need six to 50-plus aligners for your effective treatment.

Each aligner will move your teeth up to one-third of a millimeter before you pop in the next one every 1-2 weeks. In order not to delay your progress, plan on wearing your aligners for at least 22 hours daily – only taking them out to eat and brush your teeth.

What Is the Treatment Time for Invisalign?

If your case is not particularly complex, you are probably looking at as few as six months of treatment. If you have a lot of correction that needs to be done, it could take up to two years.

The average treatment time is about 12 months, and your dentist will provide a timeline estimate at your consultation, but the good news is you’ll begin to notice progress within just a few weeks. Each patient is different, so some people will see changes sooner than others.

How Can I Shorten My Invisalign Treatment Period?

Here are some tips that might speed up your process a bit:

• Make sure you wear the aligners 22-plus hours each day.
• Take good care of them. For example, don’t rinse them in hot water – it can warp the plastic.
•  Don’t wrap aligners in a napkin while you eat – you don’t want to risk forgetting and throwing them away.
• Brush out any food particles and plaque from your aligners and give them a deep clean 1-2 times per week.
• Be sure to change aligners on the right date and take them with you when traveling.

In short, it’s not guaranteed you can finish ahead of your planned Invisalign timeline, but there are things you can be diligent about doing to increase your chances. No matter how long treatment takes, your smile results will definitely be worth the wait!  

About the Author

Dr. Steven Oshins always asked a lot of questions as a child and developed a major interest in his dental visits. He liked helping people and doing finely detailed projects which drew him toward the dental profession. He earned his dental doctorate from the University at Buffalo and is a graduate of the renowned Kois Center, an advanced didactic and clinical program for practicing dentists. If you are interested in Invisalign, he offers Virtual Smile Design to preview your results before treatment starts. Schedule a consultation on his website or call (518) 356-5635.