How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Considering getting Invisalign treatment but concerned about how long it takes? We break down the key factors determining how long Invisalign Bournemouth takes and give you an overview of the process.
Everyone is different and individual cases vary, but you will be pleasantly surprised by the length of time Invisalign takes to create the beautifully straight teeth you have been dreaming of.
The good news is that most clients here in Bournemouth start to see an improvement within a few weeks of wearing Invisalign, and the average treatment time is just 6-9 months.
Our Smile Stories Invisalign Experts can determine the length of time Invisalign will take to get your smile dazzling based on your specific goals. If your goal is to move large back teeth around, it could take longer than if moving smaller teeth at the front of your mouth.
After a thorough consultation, we’ll know the end goal. Our Invisalign dentists will move your teeth around on the Invisalign software, known as a Clincheck. This is a bespoke personalised digital plan, specifying how many aligners are needed and therefore how long treatment could take. It’s your Roadmap to your end goal.
There are outside factors which play a part in how long treatment takes, but Invisalign has gained enormous data after supplying aligners to an amazing 11 million clients worldwide. We know in our hands what is possible with this incredible aligner system and our clients have had some stunning results. We love Invisalign because of its accuracy, reliability, and predictability.
Whilst we can’t give you a 100% accurate length of time it will take to achieve your dream smile without discussing your requirements in person, we can look at some of the factors that will affect how long Invisalign takes.
The Invisalign Process
Here’s a brief overview of the process of having your teeth realigned with Invisalign clear aligners. It’s worth noting that everyone’s timeline will be different, and the Invisalign process can take anywhere from several months to a year or more depending on the complexity of the case and individual patient’s needs.
Month 1: Initial Consultation & Custom Treatment Plan
During the initial consultation, your Invisalign dentists will evaluate your teeth and determine if Invisalign is the best treatment for you. If it is, our expert Invisalign-trained dentists will take precise 3D digital scans of your teeth using the iTero™ element scanner.
The images of your teeth will be imported into the Invisalign software, known as a Clincheck. We use this software to move your teeth around and work with you to map out a custom treatment plan you are happy with.
This is a bespoke personalised digital plan, specifying how many aligners are needed and therefore how long treatment could take. It’s your Roadmap to your end goal.
Month 2: Aligner Fabrication
Invisalign aligners will be fabricated based on your custom treatment plan. You will receive a set of aligners that will be worn for 20-22 hours a day, removing them only when needed.
You will begin wearing your first set of aligners, which will slowly start moving your teeth into their desired position. You should wear your aligners for approximately 2 weeks and switch to the next set of aligners.
You will return to the clinic or have an online consult with your Smile Stories Invisalign experts every 4-6 weeks to ensure your Invisalign treatment is working.
Month 5-6:
By this stage, you will have moved through several sets of aligners and will begin to notice considerable changes to your teeth.
Month 7-8:
You will continue wearing your aligners and have regular checks with the Smile Stories Invisalign Experts to monitor your progress.
Month 9-12:
By this stage, your teeth will be nearing their desired position. Your Smile Stories Invisalign Experts may order additional refinement aligners to make any final adjustments to your teeth.
Month 13+:
Once the final alignment is achieved, you will wear a retainer to maintain the position of your teeth. Your Smile Stories Invisalign Experts will advise you how often to wear your retainer, which may be worn for several months up to the rest of your life, depending on your individual situation.
Factors That Affect How Long Invisalign Takes
Multiple factors such as compliance, age, dental picture (your teeth now) and desired results dictate the precise length of time Invisalign will take.
The Starting Position of Your Teeth
Invisalign can treat a range of orthodontic issues such as underbites, overbites, crossbites, open bites, overcrowded teeth, spaced teeth or pretty much any other bite that you have.
The severity of your existing condition dictates how long your Invisalign treatment will take.
For example, if you have minor crowding, the distance your teeth need to move will be minimal and treatment time will be less when compared to someone with more severe crowding.
Likewise, the size of gaps between teeth will define the length of time Invisalign takes. The bigger the gaps, the further the teeth have to move and treatment may take longer than for someone with smaller gaps.
Compliance
Your Invisalign treatment plan will show you how to wear your clear aligners. However, if you don’t wear them as recommended it stands to reason that they won’t work as quickly as expected. As silly as it may sound, your teeth only move if your aligners are in your mouth!
For best results, Invisalign should be worn at all times and only removed for cleaning and eating. They must be worn for 22 hours every day.
You will be provided with a series of Aligners. The Invisalign aligners are switched each week. If you wear one tray for longer than a week, because you forget to change them, the treatment will again take longer than expected.
Some top tips for getting the best results is to wear your aligners according to your Invisalign treatment plan and set reminders for wearing and changing your aligners on your phone or using the My Invisalign App.
At Smile Stories, we do things differently. All of our Invisalign clients can be monitored virtually from anywhere in the world, meaning you don’t have to live near our clinic if you want us to straighten your teeth. Virtual monitoring has the added benefit that we spot stray teeth immediately, which has resulted in quicker treatment times.
Patient Age
Both teenagers and adults can use Invisalign.
Whilst some people’s teeth move quicker than others, it is usual for the teeth of an adult to move more slowly than those of a teenager because teenagers are still growing and therefore move with ease.
Whatever your age, Invisalign clear aligners will work for you providing you follow the treatment plan as advised. You’re never too old to straighten your teeth.
Genetics
Your teeth are located in your jaws, held in place by bone. In order to move your teeth, the bone around them will temporarily soften to allow them through, before hardening up again.
The speed at which biology works is fixed and can’t be rushed. If you graze your arm and expect it to heal in a day, it won’t happen. It’ll take 1-2 weeks and you simply have to wait. It’s exactly the same when we move teeth. Although we know roughly how long Invisalign will take, genetics and your body plays a part. Some people’s teeth move quicker than others, and we have to accept it. Just enjoy the ride.
Comparison to Metal Braces
Invisalign aligners when worn as prescribed can work faster than metal braces. As mentioned earlier, the average Invisalign treatment time is currently 6-9 months. Compare that to traditional metal braces which can take a few years to achieve desired results, and you can see why Invisalign is such a popular choice.
To Recap How Long Invisalign Takes
The average length of time Invisalign takes is just 6-9 months.
Most Invisalign clients notice a difference in the alignment of their teeth after just two to three months.
The precise time that your individual treatment will take can vary depending on a number of factors. Compliance, age, genetics and the type of overcrowding or spacing you have can affect the time Invisalign takes.
The only way to get an accurate picture of how long Invisalign will take for you is to speak to an expert.
Book a free video consultation with one of the Smile Stories Invisalign experts today. Discuss what your dream smile will look like and get a tailored, detailed plan that outlines the length of time Invisalign will take to achieve your beautiful smile.
