How Long Does Invisalign Take to Work?

How Long Does Invisalign Take to Work?

Considering any orthodontic treatment is exciting, and you are likely keen to figure out how long you will have to undergo treatment before seeing any results.

Our guide on how long Invisalign takes to work should help clear up any questions you may have about the timeframes involved with treatment.

The Invisalign Procedure

Invisalign always starts with an initial consultation at the surgery with your dentist or orthodontist. In this first appointment, your dentist will assess your teeth, gums and overall oral health to make sure Invisalign is suitable for you. Any existing problems like tooth decay or gum disease will usually need to be treated first. This helps us make sure your teeth stay healthy throughout the treatment. It also reduces the risks of complications.

Digital scanning

Once your dentist has confirmed that Invisalign is appropriate, they’ll take digital scan and photographs of your teeth. These create an accurate 3D model of your mouth – it’s part of what makes the treatment as effective as it is.

The use of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) in dentistry is fairly new but it’s how Invisalign results can be so reliable.

Treatment planning

A bespoke treatment plan is created using the scans of your mouth. These map out how your teeth are expected to move over the course of the treatment. It will give you an indication of how long the process is likely to take. Your dentist will discuss all of this with you so you have an opportunity to ask any questions before the aligners are made.

Fitting your aligners

Once the aligners are ready, you’ll return to see your dentist for a fitting appointment. The fit will be checked and you’ll be given information on how to wear and care for them. Most people will need to wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day. You can remove them for eating, drinking (unless it’s water) and cleaning your teeth.

You will usually have to return to the dentist every couple of weeks to switch out your aligners for a pair more closely resembling where you want your teeth to shift to. Your dentist should tell you when your next appointment will be, considering that everything goes to plan and shifts on track.

When will I see results?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions we get. Patients want to know how quickly they’ll notice a difference. While every case is unique, many people do start to see small changes within six to eight weeks of starting treatment. These changes are often subtle but encouraging. The overall time it takes depends on the complexity of the case:

Your dentist will provide you with a more personalised estimate after assessing your teeth and creating your plan.

Producing Results

Your Invisalign progress will be checked and reviewed in each appointment with your specialist. The general timeline for achieving results with very minor cases is around 3 to 6 months. During this time, the aligners can shift less complex issues into their desired places into the mouth – like smaller gaps or cases of minor overcrowding.

In more complex situations, Invisalign can take much longer. It is not unusual for those with more noticeable concerns to have treatment take up to 18 months or even longer. The nature of Invisalign is that it does work gradually, so before you opt for this type of treatment there are a couple of questions you may want to consider:

• Will I stay committed to wearing Invisalign for 22 hours a day?
• Can I keep up the commitment of having Invisalign trays updated every couple of weeks?
• Am I willing to be patient and stick with the entire Invisalign process?

As the aligners work by gradually and ever so slightly pushing teeth into place, they will not move a noticeable amount every time you have a set replaced. Instead, the shifts are gradual – but with patience they can transform your smile!

What Contributes to Longer Treatment Times?

Longer treatment times could be expected for a number of reasons. Your dentist will usually explain this to you in your initial Invisalign appointment, though there may also be other reasons that cannot be predicted that do pop up.

• Age – older patients’ teeth are more difficult and may take longer to move. This is because the bones are set more rigidly in the jaw as we age.
• Larger gaps between teeth – these can make it difficult to shift teeth quickly, especially if underlying issues form part of the problem.
• Oral health concerns such as gum disease or gum recession can also play a role in extending treatment using Invisalign.
• Overly crowded teeth that overlap significantly can take a lot longer to reach their desired places. Invisalign will not be an instant fix for these issues, though your dentist will likely clarify this with you before you begin treatment.
• Non-compliance with aligner wear. Invisalign works on the premise that the aligners are worn consistently. If you remove them too often or you don’t meet the recommended daily wear time, your progress will slow down significantly.
• Severe bite issues like overbites, underbites or crossbites tend to require more complex movements compared to simple crowding or spacing issues, which means they need more time to move.
• Previous orthodontic treatment might mean you need additional refinements or planning.
• Refinements might be needed towards the end of treatment to achieve the desired look, in which case, your overall treatment time might be longer.

Is Invisalign faster than braces?

There isn’t a simple answer to this question. For mild to moderate alignment issues, Invisalign can achieve results in a similar timeline to traditional braces. Sometimes, you might even get faster results.

The speed largely depends on how complex the movement needs to be. At the more severe end of the scale, traditional braces might still be the most efficient treatment option.

It’s important not to focus hugely on speed here. It’s much better to consider which treatment is most suitable for your needs. Your dentist will be able to explain your expected timeframe for both options during your consultation.

Can treatment be accelerated?

Invisalign may work faster if you are highly compliant with the routines and recommended wearing times involved. There are also a couple of things you can do to help speed up treatment, though this is not always guaranteed.

• Chewies for Invisalign (if recommended by your dentist).
• Keep up with your oral hygiene routine
• Do not miss any appointments!
• Changing aligners when instructed.
• Wear the aligners exactly as you are told – this is usually for up to 22 hours a day.

While there is no guaranteed way to dramatically speed up treatment, you can achieve the desired results as efficiently as possible by following all of the professional advice given to you.

What happens if I don’t wear aligners enough?

Invisalign aligners are designed to work for most of the day. If you don’t wear them for the recommended daily hours, your teeth might not move as planned. This means your aligners could feel tight or don’t fit properly when it’s time to move to the next stage. Sometimes, you might have to pause treatment to get replacement aligners or refinements added.

Occasionally missing an hour or two is unlikely to cause major problems but repeatedly failing to wear them as instructed can affect your results.

If you are struggling to wear them consistently, it’s worth speaking to your dentist as early as possible.

Invest in a Straighter Smile with Invisalign

If you are considering Invisalign in Manchester, we can help. Call our team on 0161 437 2029 now for more information, or to book an appointment! Our welcoming Cheadle dental surgery is conveniently located and our team are always looking forward to meeting new patients. Our fees for Invisalign treatment begin at £2,800.00 – though we offer 0% interest free plans if you are eligible.

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