You might have heard that, on average, Invisalign treatment is shorter than that of traditional metal braces. That is true! However, you might still have questions about the timeline for clear aligners. Just how long might it take for Invisalign or SureSmile treatment to straighten your teeth? This blog post contains some information that you may find interesting.
Average Treatment Time with Invisalign
The average treatment time with Invisalign is 10-14 months. Some of the simplest cases take just a few months to complete, while other cases might take up to 18 months or longer.
When you attend an Invisalign or SureSmile consultation with the team at Sunrise Dental Service in Bohemia, we can provide a rough estimate of how long your treatment may take.
Factors that Affect Invisalign Treatment Time
The total length of time it takes for Invisalign to straighten your teeth can depend on a few factors:
- The nature and severity of your dental misalignment. This has the biggest impact on how long your treatment will take. The more complex/severe your misalignment is, the longer it will take to correct it.
- Your age. Adult teeth tend to move a bit more slowly than those of teens. While your age should not have a huge impact on your total treatment time, it may still play into how long it takes to achieve your final results.
- Your compliance. It is important that you wear your aligners for 20 – 22 hours each day and diligently use any recommended accessories, such as elastics (rubber bands). Failure to do so could significantly slow down your treatment.
How to Avoid Unnecessary Delays
Here are a few tips for keeping your treatment on track:
- Wear your aligners for as close to 22 hours each day as possible. Only remove them when you clean your teeth and eat/drink anything other than plain water.
- Do not skip Invisalign/SureSmile check-in appointments. These may occur every 4 – 10 weeks or so.
- Take good care of your teeth via thorough oral hygiene and smart dietary choices. If you end up needing care for cavities or other oral health issues, it could cause a significant delay.
- Take good care of your aligners. Be sure to clean them regularly and avoid habits that could cause them to incur damage or get lost. For example, you should not place them in a napkin while you eat or store them where a curious pet could get ahold of them.
Invisalign or SureSmile can be a very efficient way to straighten your teeth! Talk to our team to learn more about what you can expect from this treatment.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Makadia is a skilled dentist with decades of experience in his field. He is proud to offer Invisalign as a convenient and discreet alternative to traditional braces. If you have question about this treatment or are ready to get started with it, contact Sunrise Dental Service on Long Island at 631-567-5566.