How Long Do Invisalign Treatments Take to Work?

The world of orthodontics is buzzing thanks to the introduction of Invisalign. It's an alternative to traditional braces which can work just as well as braces for mild-to-moderate misalignment while being a much more patient-friendly process. There's no unsightly metal, and there's minimal change in lifestyle. There has truly never been an easier way to straighten a patient's teeth, whether they're young or old.

So, understandably, we get a lot of questions about our Invisalign treatments - mostly involving how long the process takes. There isn't a single answer since treatment length depends on the patients, but our Guelph Village Dental team can still discuss the topic.

"How Long Will My Invisalign Process Take?"

First, just a quick refresher on how Invisalign at Guelph Village Dental works: It involves a series of custom-fit trays, each of which is only worn for around one week. Each tray is specially-crafted to slightly move the teet. Once they've shifted, the patient moves on to the next tray that moves the teeth a little more. Over time, they do the same job as braces - but with almost none of the annoyance, discomfort, or social stigma.

In terms of how long the process takes, it could be as little as 3 months - for particularly mild cases - to around two years, which is roughly as long as braces need. The average is generally about 12-18 months.

However, the time that Invisalign requires to work will depend greatly on the patient and their commitment to wearing their Invisalign trays. The trays are removable, which is great since it means you can eat normally, brush your teeth normally, and engage in any other activities where it might get in the way. It just pops in and out.

The problem is, some patients don't want to keep their Invisalign retainer in. For Invisalign to be most effective, it should be worn at least 22 hours out of the day - yes, even when you sleep. The longer it stays out of a patient's mouth, the longer the treatment will take. This can particularly be an issue with younger teenagers, who don't understand the importance of wearing it almost all the time.

Invisalign Is A Genuine Alternative to Braces

If you need braces but fear the pain and stigma, Invisalign might be the right fit to re-align your teeth without interfering with your lifestyle. Contact us at Guelph Village Dental today!!