Invisalign Treatment: How Long Will It Take?
At Moss Wall Orthodontics in Lacey, WA, we are dedicated to helping you understand the factors that determine how long your Invisalign treatment will last and making your experience as smooth as possible.
What Factors Affect the Length of Invisalign Treatment?
Severity of the Misalignment
One of the main factors that affect how long your Invisalign treatment will take is the severity of your misalignment. If your teeth are only slightly misaligned, you may only need treatment for a few months. However, if your teeth have more severe misalignment, the treatment can take a year or longer. Issues like crowded teeth, rotations, or gaps may also increase the time needed for your treatment.
Age of the Patient
Your age can also impact your Invisalign treatment time. Teenagers may experience faster results since their teeth are still developing, making them easier to shift into place. Adults, however, may experience a longer treatment time due to previous dental work or bone loss.
Consistency in Wearing Your Aligners
To get the best results with Invisalign, it’s essential to wear your aligners for 20-22 hours a day. The more consistently you wear them, the faster your teeth will shift. If you skip wear time or don’t follow the prescribed schedule, your treatment may take longer. Keeping up with your aligner wear schedule is key to seeing the best results in the shortest time.
Average Duration of Invisalign Treatment
Most people complete their Invisalign treatment in about 12-18 months. If your dental issues are minor, such as a slight gap or mild rotation, your treatment may only take a few months. More complex cases may take longer. During your consultation at Moss Wall Orthodontics, we can give you an estimate of how long your treatment will take based on your specific needs.
What Happens If You Don’t Follow Invisalign Instructions?
If you don’t wear your aligners as instructed, your treatment will be delayed. Missing wear time can prevent your teeth from moving as planned, which can lengthen the duration of treatment. If you’re not careful, your teeth could even shift back to their original positions, and you may need to start over with additional aligners.
After Invisalign: Keeping Your Smile in Place
Once your Invisalign treatment is complete, you’ll need to wear a retainer to maintain your new smile. Your retainer helps keep your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. Initially, you’ll wear it full-time, but as time goes on, you can transition to wearing it only at night.
Get Started on Your Smile Transformation Today
Are you ready to take the first step toward a straighter smile? Contact Moss Wall Orthodontics in Lacey, WA today to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted!