I’d Love to Straighten My Smile; How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Invisalign can be a more comfortable and convenient way to realign a smile than traditional braces, and it can address many cases of mild to moderate crowding, spacing, underbite, overbite, crossbite, and open bite in a briefer timeframe as well. Here’s a quick look at how Invisalign works, how long the treatment can take, and how you can ensure that your realignment process stays on track.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign realigns a smile using a personalized sequence of customized clear aligners designed to gradually shift the teeth into healthier positions. The patient will have to wear each set of aligners for at least twenty hours each day for about two weeks before switching to the next set in their sequence, and each pair will push the teeth a little closer toward their ideal alignment. The patient can remove their aligners at any time, and these devices require no dietary restrictions. However, the process requires the patient to thoroughly brush and floss each time before putting their aligners back in.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

Invisalign treatments typically take between six and sixteen months, but there are cases that require more or less time than that. Generally, milder misalignments will take less time to treat than severe ones. For example, a patient who only wishes to close a few gaps in their smile may require a significantly briefer treatment than one who needs their teeth to make complicated maneuvers such as rotations.

How Can I Keep My Invisalign Treatment on Track?

The best way to keep your Invisalign treatment on track and complication-free is to strictly comply with your dentist’s treatment instructions. These will probably include:

• Wearing your aligners at all times except during oral hygiene sessions or when eating or drinking anything but water.
• Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth each time before putting your aligners in.
• Placing your aligners in a clean, rigid protective case when not wearing them to prevent them from being damaged or thrown away.
• Contacting your dentist immediately after an aligner is lost or damaged.

Don’t let your Invisalign treatment be prolonged by preventable oral infections or neglecting to wear your aligners enough each day. Adhering to your dentist’s treatment instructions will help you keep your realignment process as brief and comfortable as possible.

About the Practice

Care 32 Dental of Grand Prairie offers the finest oral healthcare in town. Led by Drs. Heliben and Krunal Desai and Vasim Momin, the staff treats each patient with respect and courtesy while maintaining a clean and friendly office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign services. To learn more about the Invisalign process, contact the office online or dial (469) 346-8828.