How Long Do You Have to Wear Invisalign?
At Vaught Orthodontics in Savannah, GA and Richmond Hill, GA, we’re here to help you understand how long Invisalign treatment will take and guide you through every step of the process.
Factors That Affect Invisalign Treatment Duration
Severity of Your Case
One of the most important factors that affect how long you’ll need to wear Invisalign is the severity of your case. If your teeth are slightly misaligned, treatment may only take a few months. But if your teeth are more severely misaligned, the process might take longer—possibly a year or more. Complex dental issues, like gaps, rotations, or crowded teeth, may require more time to fix.
Age of the Patient
Age can also influence the length of Invisalign treatment. For teens, treatment may progress faster because their teeth are still developing and can shift more easily. If you’re a teen, you might see results more quickly than an adult. Adults, however, may have more complex dental issues, such as prior dental work or bone loss, which can extend the duration of treatment.
Wearing Your Aligners as Directed
To get the best results, it’s crucial to wear your Invisalign aligners for 20-22 hours a day. This might seem like a lot, but it’s necessary to achieve the results you want. The more consistently you wear your aligners, the faster your teeth will shift into place.
Typical Invisalign Treatment Timelines
The average length of Invisalign treatment is around 12-18 months. Some people with minor dental issues, like slight spacing or a small tooth rotation, may only need a few months. Others with more complex issues may need longer treatment. It’s important to remember that every person’s treatment is different, and your treatment time will depend on the specific dental problems you’re trying to correct.
What Happens If You Don’t Wear Invisalign as Recommended?
If you don’t wear your aligners as directed, it can impact your treatment timeline. Your teeth won’t shift as expected, and this can result in a longer treatment period. In some cases, skipping wear time could even cause your teeth to shift back to their original positions, which would require starting over or adding extra aligners.
Maintain Your Smile After Treatment
Once your Invisalign treatment is finished, you’ll need to wear retainers to keep your teeth in place. Retainers help prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. You’ll likely need to wear your retainer full-time at first and then switch to wearing it only at night.
Get Started with Invisalign Today
Are you ready to get started on your journey to a beautiful smile? Contact Vaught Orthodontics in Savannah, GA and Richmond Hill, GA
to schedule your consultation. Our team is here to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted!
