A perfect smile is a gift in itself. While it’s a gift to many of us, some suffer from a lack of confidence when they think that their smile isn’t good enough. Usually, misaligned gums, jaws, and teeth are the major reason behind such a lack of confidence.
If you’re dealing with gummy and invisible teeth, there’s a chance that you want to use metal braces to fix your teeth and your smile. But did you know there’s a better solution than using metal braces? Of course you did. Invisalign is all over the internet nowadays, and most dentists and orthodontists recommend them. However, are they really helpful? How long do Invisalign take to straighten your teeth?
If you’re wondering whether or not you should use Invisalign, here’s an article to answer your questions.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a modern alignment system created to align patients’ teeth precisely and by using a series of plastic trays that are custom-made. It uses a series of plastic aligners that align against clear plastic over the teeth and maintains a snug fit.
They gently shift your teeth into the desired position over time. However, unlike the traditional braces, these aligners are transparent and removable, giving users enough flexibility to use them more comfortably. You do not need to wear metal brackets or wires on top of your teeth to straighten and align them.
You can simply wear each set of aligners for more than two weeks. Next, you can go ahead and switch to the next set of aligners until the process is complete. It’s clear that these aligners provide users with enough level of flexibility and ease of use.
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
One common question among people who are considering the use of Invisalign is “how long does invisalign take?” The answer isn’t straightforward. However, a simple answer lies in the level of alignment your teeth need and how well you can manage the alignment.
Here are some simplified suggestions depending on the level of adjustment you must make to your teeth.
Mild Adjustment: Mild Adjustment, such as slight gaps or minor crowding, takes as little as three to six months.
Moderate corrections: If your teeth and gums require a moderate level of correction, you’ll have to wear them for six to twelve months.
More complex cases: When you’re going through more complex cases, such as severe levels of crowding and bite issues, it will take more than twelve months, often stretching up to twenty-four months. Large tooth gaps typically cause these issues.
The time for orthodontic treatment with the use of invisible dental aligners depends on different things. The age of the patient, the severity of the problem, and compliance with the treatment are some common factors.
What Affects the Treatment Length?
If you’re considering dental treatment using aligners, the following aspects are going to matter:
Severity of the Problem
If dental alignment is your issue, then the first thing that matters is the severity of the problem. Patients with more crooked and misaligned teeth must spend a longer time with the invisalign. Such treatment can take up to twelve to twenty-four months.
Your Age
When it comes to speedy treatment, younger individuals have an advantage. They show a quicker result compared to adults. The jawbones and teeth of adults are more mature compared to the adaptable nature of younger patients.
Compliance
Additionally, it’s also important to learn how compliant the patients are to this type of treatment. While being flexible, Invisalign must stay on your teeth, jaws, and gums for more than 20 to 22 hours a day. It’s fine to remove them while eating, drinking, and other oral activities. But, you must keep them on for prescribed hours to ensure fast alignment.
Oral Health
When the patient’s teeth and gums are healthy and have no cavities or infections, the alignment process moves faster and smoother. You’ll need to pre-treat your dental problems before taking dental alignment solutions to get faster and better results with Invisalign.
Started Invisalign Journey: What does the Process Look Like?
Here’s a typical step-by-step journey of what to expect during your Invisalign treatment:
Initial Consultation
When you consider taking an Invisalign solution to align your teeth, the process starts with an initial phase of consultation. You move with a digital scan of your teeth that helps the orthodontist understand the solution you need.
Custom Treatment Plan
Next, your dentist or orthodontist creates treatment solutions tailored to your alignment needs. They use advanced computer technologies to map out a plan for your teeth and create an alignment solution for each stage of treatment.
Wearing Aligners
When you start to wear aligners, each set of teeth starts to align for two weeks before you’re ready to switch to the next.
Doctors keep a regular checkup routine, and you’ll have to visit them after 4 to 6 weeks to monitor the level of progress you have with the aligners.
Finally, your orthodontist might recommend a retainer for keeping your smile in place. This process comes after your teeth reach a desired level of alignment.
When Do You Start Seeing Results?
While the total treatment can take many months, you often start noticing small changes in as little as 2 to 6 weeks. Teeth gradually shift, and as you progress through the aligner sets, these improvements become more obvious. By the halfway point (usually around 6 months for many patients), your smile often looks significantly straighter.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
It’s common to wonder whether Invisalign is good for you. You’ll get the answer once you start considering your options and evaluating your orthodontic needs. Some severe cases can still require traditional braces over Invisalign. But, if you have a mild or moderate level of dental alignment issues, Invisalign is more than enough to solve your problem.
Also, since it’s a mild and slower treatment process, you’ll have to wait at least six to twenty-four months before you see any results. So, should you consider Invisalign? Well, a quick consultation should help clarify your doubts.
Disclaimer: The content on Wellness Derive is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical concerns.
