For most people, Invisalign treatment lasts for around 9 to 18 months. For the lucky few, it can last as little as 6 months, but for others, it may take up to 24 months. It all depends on several factors, such as the state of your teeth before treatment. Most people will go through around 15 to 30 sets of Invisalign braces during treatment.
How long does Invisalign take to close a gap?
Generally, each Invisalign retainer can close around 0.2mm of space between your teeth. Of course, you’ll need multiple aligners to adjust for the teeth’s movement and ensure that when one gap closes, another doesn’t appear.
Dentists will usually estimate around 3-6 months for gaps to close, but this can be a lot longer if your teeth are particularly gappy. A 2mm gap would likely close within 4 months, but a larger one can take as long as a year to disappear.
How long does Invisalign take for crowded teeth?
Invisalign is a leading treatment for crowded teeth, closing gaps and straightening crooked ones with relative ease. To completely resolve any crowding issues with your teeth, the treatment can last anywhere between 6 and 18 months. Some people may experience perfectly straight teeth within the first year, while others will have to wait a little longer.
Does Invisalign take longer to straighten teeth for adults?
There’s not much difference in the Invisalign treatment time for kids and adults. It still all depends on the individual as to the length of their treatment. Some children may find quicker results than adults due to their teeth being more malleable, but in general, the average treatment time is the same.
Recommended daily time for wearing Invisalign
To ensure your Invisalign treatment works well, you must wear the retainers for around 22 hours daily. This may seem like one of the disadvantages of wearing Invisalign, but as the weeks pass, you’ll become accustomed to your aligners and form a routine that works for you. Plus, a lot of this time, you’ll be sleeping anyway.
You can take your Invisalign out only when eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. If you’re wondering, “can I drink water with Invisalign?” the answer is yes, but with any other liquid, you’ll have to remove your retainers to avoid discolouration. This means you’ll have around 2 hours without your Invisalign daily, which accommodates meals and teeth cleaning. Always remember to brush your teeth after each meal.
What could happen if I don’t follow the recommended Invisalign rule?
If you don’t follow the rules around Invisalign, your treatment will not work. It’s as simple as that. Dentists don’t make this stuff up for fun, after all, there’s scientific reasoning behind every guideline.
A relaxation of the rules can lead to negative consequences for your teeth. For instance, if you skip wearing Invisalign, your teeth will remain crooked, and your gaps won’t close. So, always follow the rules your dentist sets out to ensure you give the treatment the best chance of working.
What’s the shortest time for Invisalign?
The duration of your Invisalign treatment will depend on several factors, including age, how well you care for your retainers, and your teeth condition before the treatment. The shortest time you can hope to have Invisalign is around 6 months, provided you care for the aligners and your teeth well.
Invisalign, as with most teeth alignment treatments, works over several months. It usually takes this long, so your teeth have enough time to straighten out and close any gaps. Ending your Invisalign treatment early or within a few months isn’t recommended, so it’s important that you understand the need for a somewhat lengthy treatment process.