Is it time for you or your child to get orthodontic work? There are so many options when it comes to straightening your teeth, and one of the most popular is an Invisalign treatment.
One of the top benefits of Invisalign is that it’s more subtle than other forms of braces. This makes it popular among adults and older teenagers. Many people are worried that the treatment time will be too long in comparison to braces, though, so they end up choosing a different option.
But how long does Invisalign take? Is it really that different? Let’s talk about it. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is It Fixing?
The primary factor when a dentist or orthodontist is developing your Invisalign treatment plan is your starting point. The problems that you’re trying to fix dictate how long you’ll need to go through the Invisalign process.
If you’ve had braces in the past, but stopped wearing a retainer, your teeth may be mostly straight. In this case, you may qualify for Invisalign Lite or Invisalign Express. These have shorter treatment times. This is also true for anyone who has minor gaps or misalignments, even if they haven’t had braces in the past.
These treatment times tend to be 14 trays or less, meaning that you’ll have Invisalign for anywhere between 14 and 28 weeks.
If you have large gaps, crowding, or problems with your jaw, your Invisalign timeline will likely be longer. Some plans take over a year or more.
These differences will also determine your Invisalign cost.
How Does It Compare to Braces?
While it was once true that Invisalign took longer than traditional metal braces, this is no longer the case for most people.
In most situations, the pressure from the aligners and attachments is enough to move the teeth at the same pace as braces. For advanced cases in which you need extreme rotation, you may have a shorter treatment time from braces.
Talk to your orthodontist to determine which one is right for you.
External Factors
With Invisalign, it’s possible for you to stop tracking. This means that your teeth aren’t moving as intended. This can be the result of the patient not wearing their aligners correctly, but sometimes it happens regardless of how well you follow your treatment plan.
When you’re using Invisalign, make sure that you wear your aligners for 20-24 hours per day. Some people need a minimum of 22 hours.
If you end up needing to rescan due to poor tracking, you will have to interrupt your treatment for several weeks so the new aligners can come in.
Also, keep in mind that many people need several weeks of refinements after their treatment. This can be several trays or it can be the full treatment time all over again.
How Long Does Invisalign Take? It Depends
Invisalign is efficient, effective, and easy on the eyes. But when it comes to “how long does Invisalign take?”, it depends on the person. When you go in for a consultation, keep an open mind and trust your dentist or orthodontist when they give you a time estimate.
This estimate may change when they send your scans into Invisalign, but don’t be surprised if you need more than a year. The time is worth it!
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