How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Over the past few decades, orthodontic treatment has gotten more convenient for patients and one of the best treatment options available is the Invisalign Clear Aligner System. Many patients love this option due to its low visibility and comfort. So, how long does Invisalign take to complete?

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

Every patient has different needs for orthodontic correction, and the duration of a patient’s treatment largely depends on how many teeth need to move and how far they need to go. Because of this, there’s no set timeline for how long Invisalign takes. It can take up to two years or longer for some patients with more severe crowding. But on average, the complete Invisalign treatment takes about 12 to 18 months to finish.

Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign can get done a bit quicker, even for comparable cases of crowding and other types of crookedness. This is because Invisalign is a custom treatment created from an exact mold of your teeth. The precise fit of your Invisalign aligners move teeth more efficiently than conventional braces.

Finishing Treatment On Time

While you can expect a somewhat quicker treatment time when you choose Invisalign, whether or not you finish on time is largely up to you and how you manage your treatment. One of the most important ways to stay on track is to go to all of your appointments. If you miss an appointment due to an emergency, which certainly happens, don’t hesitate to reschedule so you can avoid further delays. It also helps to schedule your next appointment before you leave the office, that way you get the time slot that works best for you.

Another important part of finishing treatment on time when you have Invisalign is taking care of your aligners. While it’s nice to be able to remove them for meals, it also means they’re a bit easier to lose. After all, you can’t really lose braces, but it’s quite easy to misplace invisible plastic trays! The best practice with Invisalign trays is to place them directly into their case when you need to take them out and to store your case in a secure spot.

Shorter Invisalign Options

For patients with less severe crowding or crookedness, there are shortened versions of Invisalign that come with fewer trays, which makes for shorter treatment duration. Invisalign Lite is perfect for patients who only have moderate or minor crookedness and is over within six to eight months.

An even quicker option is Invisalign Express. This treatment option is ideal for patients who may have nearly perfectly straight teeth with only one or two small issues. It’s also a common option for patients who had orthodontic treatment in the past but experienced relapse due to not wearing their retainer. Most patients who do Invisalign Express are finished in well under six months.

When you visit Milnor Orthodontics for your free initial consultation, we can give you an estimate of how long your treatment will take to complete. Contact our office today to schedule your exam!