Want to achieve that perfect or straighter smile without the “metal mouth” look?
And maybe you want to know how long Invisalign takes? That’s why you are here. Okay, so first of all, it’s not only you. In fact, there are another 14 million people worldwide with you in this race who chose Invisalign in 2024. Most of them saw noticeable transformations within just a few weeks. But the full journey? That can vary.
So, here you will find information regarding the average treatment time and the key factors that influence how quickly you can align with the new smile!
What is the Average Invisalign Treatment Time?
In a short way, we can say it varies. Just like every smile is unique, so is the Invisalign treatment timeline.
For most adults, the average Invisalign treatment lasts somewhere between 12 and 18 months. That’s a pretty standard timeframe for achieving significant teeth straightening. You might even start noticing some changes in your smile within the first few months.
But keep in mind that this is just an average. There are individuals who might get what they want done in 6 months, and then there are individuals with extreme cases who might have to wear their aligners for 24 months or a little longer.
What Makes the Time Different for Everyone? The Key Factors!
Several things influence how long your Invisalign journey will take. Here are the main players:
The Complexity of Your Case
This is the biggest factor behind the time difference. Minor dental cases have a shorter treatment time, such as slight front teeth alignment or slight spacing between teeth. Teeth alignment takes longer when fixing severe crowding, as well as wide gaps or bite alignment problems like overbite or underbite, and crossbite.
How Much Movement is Needed
When you require extensive tooth movement for a desirable smile outcome, the duration of your Invisalign treatment will lengthen. The process resembles moving furniture, in which short-distance moves happen fast, but big room organization requires additional time and work.
Your Age
Although Invisalign works well for both teens and adults, younger teeth move a bit faster because their jawbones are in the developing stage. Well, we are not demotivating you, as great results are achievable, but it might take a little longer in some cases.
Your Commitment (Compliance is Key!)
You play an important role here. You need to wear aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day if you want to see Invisalign work effectively. It means you have to only take them out when you eat, drink (other than water), brush, and floss. Not wearing aligners for the recommended time means your treatment journey will take longer.
Following Your Orthodontist’s Instructions
Your preferred orthodontist will prepare a customized treatment plan for you that includes how often to change your aligners. Usually it’s after every 1-2 weeks. It also includes when to come in for checkup appointments. It’s typically every 4-6 weeks. To stay on track, follow these instructions, and you will see the visible results.
The Type of Invisalign Treatment
The levels of correction decide the type of treatment, as there are different types of Invisalign treatments. Treatments like Invisalign Express focus on minimal tooth fixations and require timeframes between 3 and 6 months. The more complex teeth need correction through Invisalign Full, requiring 12 to 18 months until treatment completion.
Seeing Results Along the Way:
While the overall treatment might take several months, many Invisalign patients start noticing visible improvements in their smile within the first few weeks or months. This can be a great motivator to stick with the process and keep those aligners in!
Final Takeaway
In summary, diverse reasons determine how long does Invisalign take, because there is no fixed duration. Adults can have their Invisalign treatment take 12 to 18 months. Your duration of Invisalign treatment depends upon your case complexity level and also upon your cooperation with wearing the aligners and following the orthodontist’s directions.
Your investment in Invisalign will pay off with straight teeth, which you can confidently reveal after twelve to eighteen months if you are not impatient throughout treatment.
To determine your treatment time for Invisalign, you must visit a skilled orthodontist to receive a true assessment of your requirements.
