When you agree to undergo treatment, it’s natural to want to know how long the entire process will take. Our Tampa Invisalign dentist is used to answering some variation of the length question and wants anyone interested to know that, much like traditional metal braces, the amount of time a patient is receiving care varies. What may be 3 quick months for one person could translate to a year for another. Ultimately, a thorough examination is needed to determine the real answer.
Before you come in, however, here are a few general factors that can shorten or lengthen your Invisalign treatment.
What Is the Average Invisalign Timeline?
For most patients, the time spent is typically 12 to 18 months. This is the average timeframe for correcting issues like mild to moderate misalignment, crowding, and bite problems. However, depending on the complexity of the dental issues, straightening teeth with clear aligners could turn out to be shorter or longer. For instance, minor spacing issues or mild crowding may be corrected in as little as 6 months, while more severe misalignment may require up to 24 months of treatment.
Factors That Impact Length of Invisalign Treatment
As mentioned above, there are several variables that influence how involved clear aligner treatment will be for each patient. While the are designed to be effective for a broad range of alignment and bite issues, individual factors like personal habits can still impact the timeline. Our local Invisalign dentist can speak with you about your specific situation so you’re aware of what to expect moving forward.
Intensity & Severity of Current Issues
Patients with very little crowding or small gaps between teeth may complete treatment in under a year, while those with significant misalignment or bite issues might need closer to 18 to 24 months. Our dentist will of course help you explore Invisalign and will evaluate you fully, but if your dental problems prove to be too severe for clear dental aligners, we may need to refer you to a local orthodontist for more advanced treatment.
Your Age
Teens and young adults generally experience faster results with Invisalign because their teeth are often easier to move. For older adults, the treatment is still very much effective but it may take slightly longer, as their teeth and jaw can be more resistant to shifting.
Amount of Time Wearing Aligners
Invisalign aligners must be worn consistently to achieve timely results. Our dentist recommends wearing the aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only for eating, drinking (beverages other than water), and oral hygiene. Patients who wear their custom clear aligners as instructed are likely to see faster results than those who frequently take them out or forget to wear them altogether.
Dedication to Treatment
Following the treatment plan as prescribed is essential. Clear aligners for adults and teens are typically switched out every 1-2 weeks to keep the treatment progressing. Patients who stay on schedule with aligner changes and attend regular check-ups every 6-8 weeks inside our Tampa, FL, dental office will often see more predictable and faster results.
What Do I Do After Invisalign Treatment?
To maintain the ideal alignment of your teeth and prevent any unwanted shifting, our dentist will give you a custom retainer to use once you’ve finished your active treatment plan. This is the retention phase of your treatment and while it may seem annoying to have to wear something else, it’s a necessary part of keeping the smile you and our dentist have worked hard to create.
Schedule an Invisalign Consultation
The only way to really learn more about Invisalign and how it will impact your life specifically, is to meet one-on-one with our . There, you’ll have your smile closely examined and scans taken to confirm whether Invisalign is a good fit and how extensive treatment will be. Call Imagine Dental today at (813) 866-7080 to request an appointment.