You are familiar with many of the great advantages that come with wearing Invisalign clear braces, and you’re eager to begin treatment. But do you know how long you can expect to wear your aligners? When compared to traditional braces, do these virtually transparent trays produce faster results? Although every patient is different, and the severity of each case may vary, a local dentist shares what the typical Invisalign timeline looks like so you can make a confident decision about your dental health.
What is the Average Timeline for Invisalign?
The quick and easy answer to how long you can expect to wear Invisalign clear braces is about 12 months. When you visit your dentist for an initial consultation, he will examine your smile in its entirety, determining the severity of your case. Using the iTero 3D® Scanner, he will take capture images of your teeth to produce a high-resolution, three-dimensional model on a nearby computer screen.
These impressions will serve as a blueprint to map out your treatment plan and allow lab technicians to create aligners that comfortably fit within your mouth.
As long as you commit to wearing your trays 20-22 hours each day and switch them out every 1-2 weeks for the next set in the series, you should experience no delays in treatment.
Reasons Treatment May Take Longer
While most individuals can expect to see a straighter, more perfectly aligned smile in about one year, some situations can cause you to spend more time wearing Invisalign. If you are dealing with a significant bite issue, it may require your dentist to consider alternative approaches or suggest an alternative orthodontic solution (i.e. traditional braces).
If overcrowding or large gaps between your teeth are the reason for your decision to pursue Invisalign, the severity of your oral problem will determine how quickly you achieve long-lasting results. Minor cases might actually take less than 12 months; however, it is possible that you will need to wear your clear aligners for longer if you want to see a new and improved smile.
Invisalign vs. Metal Braces Timeline: What’s the Difference?
If you’re wondering whether you’ll receive faster results with Invisalign or traditional braces, you’ll be happy to know that in most cases, Invisalign wins. The average timeline for someone with metal brackets and wires is anywhere from 18 months to three years. Of course, all of this depends on your age and the difficulty of your situation.
Not everyone is eligible for Invisalign treatment, but if your dentist believes you could benefit from the possibilities only clear aligners can provide, you can expect to enjoy a straighter, more beautiful smile sooner than you think.
About the Author
With more than 40 years of proven clinical experience, Dr. Jack Markusen is well-versed when it comes to straightening teeth and realigning bites. Offering Invisalign clear braces for individuals looking for a quicker, more flexible orthodontic solution, he uses advanced technology to not only ensure greater accuracy and precision but also allow you to view your new and improved smile long before you receive your first set of aligners. If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign or would like to find out if you’re a qualified candidate, visit our website or call (843) 916-0990.