How long can you expect to wear Invisalign? While Invisalign can be a much more convenient option compared to traditional metal braces, it’s not a quick fix. You’ll still need to have patience when it comes to getting results that will leave you with a lifetime of straight, sparkling smiles. Your results can also vary based on your orthodontist’s skills and your willingness to cooperate with wearing your aligner trays. How long does Invisalign take? Let’s talk about some general estimates.
Invisalign Treatment Timeline
Invisalign treatment can last anywhere from six months to 24 months. However, most patient treatment timelines will fall somewhere between 12 and 18 months. Here’s a look at the factors that will influence how long your Invisalign treatment lasts:
- Complexity of the Issue: Every smile is different! That’s why no orthodontist can tell you how long you’ll need to wear Invisalign without first examining your mouth. If you only require very minimal alignment, it’s possible that you’ll be in Invisalign trays full time for just six to 12 months. If we’re looking at a situation where we need to coordinate your arches, correct your bite, and move things around quite a bit, it’s more likely that you’re looking at a minimum of 18 months.
- Your Compliance: How you treat your Invisalign is one of the biggest factors for both the timeline required and the likelihood of a successful long-term outcome. During treatment, Invisalign trays need to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day. You should technically only be removing them when eating and brushing. If you take shortcuts with wearing your aligners, you will prolong the amount of time each tray needs to be worn. This means that you are pushing back your treatment completion every time you skip a day of wearing your aligners as directed.
- Your Orthodontist’s Skill Level: Where you go for Invisalign matters! When patients come to us here at Johnson Family Orthodontics for Invisalign in Salem, Oregon, we carefully create custom plans based on their desired goals for improving their smiles. We have the skills and tools needed to provide detail-oriented, 100% personalized orthodontic care. This enables us to avoid hiccups that could extend treatment time with Invisalign.
During your initial consultation, we’ll provide you with an idea of how long we expect treatment to take. These estimates are generally accurate. However, we may discover that your teeth will require more time in aligner trays in order to create the results we’re aiming for with treatment. If we need to extend treatment, we’ll be sure to reset expectations with you to ensure that you know when to expect to be done wearing aligners.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Understanding how Invisalign treatment works can help you put treatment duration into perspective. Invisalign is very different compared to traditional metal braces. We won’t be attaching any permanent brackets to your teeth. You will instead receive 100% removable aligner trays that you’ll take out when you need to eat or brush and floss. When treatment begins, we’ll use a 3D scan to design a custom plan to straighten your teeth. This scan will also play a role in creating your first set of aligner trays. When your aligners are ready, you’ll come in for a fitting to ensure that they provide a comfortable fit. As your treatment progresses, you’ll come in for checkup appointments where we’ll check your progress and provide you with your next set of aligners. Your aligners will always be 100% uniquely created for your mouth.
Once treatment is done at the end of six months to 24 months, you’ll be given retainers that will help to keep your teeth straight. Wearing your retainers will be important for ensuring that your results stay the same. If you’re relaxed about wearing your retainers, it is possible for your teeth to begin to shift.
The need to wear retainers following treatment has nothing to do with the quality of the treatment or skill level of the orthodontist. The reality is that our teeth constantly shift throughout our lives. Even some older adults who never needed braces when they were young because they had perfectly straight teeth will sometimes notice shifting or crowding later in life. You will greatly increase your chance for having straight teeth for life if you follow the directions given to you with your retainers. One added bonus of Invisalign post-treatment retainers worn during sleep is that they can help to reduce the effects of teeth grinding.
Are You Wondering How to Get Invisalign in Salem, Oregon?
The Invisalign process starts with a consultation! The first step is simply confirming that Invisalign is the right choice for correcting your smile. In cases of severe crowding or bite issues, traditional metal braces may be more appropriate for creating a straight, beautiful smile. Some patients may also decide that they prefer metal braces due to cost reasons or fears that a younger patient won’t be consistent with wearing removable aligners.
How much does Invisalign cost in Salem, Oregon? Like treatment lengths, Invisalign costs can vary based on the complexity of the correction being done. If patients aren’t compliant with treatment, this can extend both the timeline and cost of their Invisalign treatments. If you have insurance, you’ll be happy to hear that most insurance plans cover a large portion of Invisalign treatment for children and teens.
Come learn how Invisalign can transform your smile without the need for bulky metal wires and bands. Invisalign is a comfortable, discreet, and effective option for both kids and adults. Dr. Cole Johnson is excited to show you before-and-after Invisalign photos, explain the Invisalign process, and give you an idea of how long Invisalign might take for you. Contact our office today to learn more!