Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that is gaining popularity. Many people like it because the aligners are clear and nearly invisible. It improves your smile without you having to make a lot of compromises. It also corrects dental alignment problems with ease. They are a discreet and beautiful alternative to traditional braces.

How Does Invisalign Work?

Invisalign uses clear, plastic trays to position and align your teeth. The trays are custom-made to fit your teeth. The doctor takes 3D images or plaster molds of your mouth and creates Invisalign trays for your teeth. They apply pressure and slowly guide them into their positions.

How Long Does It Take To Work?

On average, Invisalign takes 12 to 18 months to work. However, you start seeing differences in a matter of weeks. Overall, the length of treatment depends on several factors. Your doctor will determine how long your treatment will take based on your specific needs. The complexity of your case will also determine how often you need to wear your aligners.

Factors Affecting Treatment

Some people may finish their treatment within six months, while it takes others up to 18 months. The reason is that different factors may increase the time of your treatment as various mouths are unique. Here are some factors contributing to the difference in duration of the Invisalign treatment.

Gaps In Your Teeth

Gaps in your teeth or diastema result from small teeth on big jaws. It can also be due to tissue overgrowth. Severe teeth gaps take more time to fix than minor gaps. It takes about 18 months to fix severe gaps, depending on how fast your teeth will take to adjust. If your teeth are too small for your jaw, your doctor will recommend bonding or veneers after Invisalign.

Age

The younger you are, the easier it is to realign your teeth. As you get older, it takes longer and more work to straighten your teeth. However, some people’s teeth move faster no matter their age. They see faster results than their children because they are responsible. They are also able to comply with the treatment plan.

Teeth Crowding

If you have a small jaw or your teeth are too large, there will be crowding. As in other cases, minor crowding takes about six months, while severe cases take more than a year. It may be difficult to move the teeth. Like with the gaps, your doctor may recommend other courses of treatment after Invisalign.

Compliance

Compliance is necessary even if you need minimal correction. Not wearing aligners according to the treatment plan can cause your treatment to take longer than the time your doctor recommends. For the best results, you will need to wear your Invisalign trays for at least 22 hours a day. However, unlike other aligners, you can take them out when eating or brushing your teeth. You will also need to clean them. Other times of the day, even when sleeping, you will need to wear them. It will stop your teeth from regressing, taking longer to fix than the treatment plan. For more information on Invisalign and how it works, visit Inspired Dental at our office in Windermere, Florida. You can also call (321) 603-3035 for more information.