Invisalign® is one of the types of nearly invisible aligners we can use to straighten your teeth. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed of your smile, request an appointment with our Grand Rapids Invisalign dentists.
But how long will you have to wear clear aligners to get the smile you deserve? The length of your treatment will depend on many factors, including how consistently you wear the corrective trays and the severity of your case. On average, this often takes 12 to 18 months, but you’ll need to have enough self-discipline to wear your between 20-22 hours a day.
Here’s what else you should know before we determine if you’re a good candidate for clear aligners.
Main Factors That Impact Treatment Duration
Several variables influence how long clear aligner treatment will take for each patient. While dental aligners are designed to be effective for a broad range of alignment and bite issues, individual factors like personal habits can impact the timeline. Our Invisalign dentists can speak with you about your specific situation so you’re aware of what to expect moving forward.
Severity of Present Issues
Patients with very little crowding or small gaps between teeth may complete in under a year, while those with significant misalignment or bite issues might need closer to 18 to 24 months. Our dentists will of course help you explore Invisalign and will evaluate you fully, but if your dental problems prove to be too severe, we may need to refer you to a local orthodontist for more advanced treatment.
Patient Age
Teens and young adults generally experience faster results with Invisalign clear aligners because their teeth are often easier to move. For older adults, the treatment is still very much effective but it may take slightly longer, as their teeth and jaw can be more resistant to shifting.
Aligner Wear Time
As mentioned above, Invisalign aligners must be worn consistently to achieve timely results. Our dentists recommend wearing the aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only for eating, drinking (beverages other than water), and oral hygiene. Patients who wear teeth aligners as instructed are likely to see faster results than those who frequently take them out or forget to wear them altogether.
Treatment Compliance
Following the Invisalign treatment plan as prescribed is essential. Aligners are typically switched out every 1-2 weeks to keep the treatment progressing. Patients who stay on schedule with aligner changes and attend regular check-ups every 6-8 weeks inside our Grand Rapids, MI, dental office will often see more predictable and faster results.
What Happens If You Only Wear Invisalign at Night?
Some dental devices, like night guards, are made to only be worn at night. Clear aligners are not night guards, however. They are meant to be worn all day similar to how traditional braces operate. No matter if your case is minor or severe, you still need to wear your Invisalign at least 20 to 22 hours a day.
Only wearing your aligners at night means that your teeth won’t move according to schedule. While you may feel some slight discomfort when you first wear Invisalign, it’s important to persevere and continue wearing your aligners as directed by our dentists.
Can I Eat or Drink While Wearing Invisalign?
Unless it’s water, you can’t eat or drink anything while .
Don’t worry, though, because it’s not actually as restrictive as you think. Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign aligners are removable. You can simply remove them from your mouth before indulging in all of your favorite foods and drinks. You can even eat foods that are hard to chew, like caramel, that you’d have to stay away from with traditional braces.
Just remember to brush your teeth after eating so you don’t stain your aligners. And don’t forget to put them back on after you’ve finished eating.
Will I Need to Wear a Retainer Forever?
Once you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment, we can understand the reluctance you may feel to wear yet another oral appliance. However, it’s important that you wear your custom retainer to maintain the progress you’ve made. Otherwise, your teeth will gradually shift back to their original positions.
While you may not see your teeth moving at first, the changes become more noticeable over time. For example, your retainer may feel tight and uncomfortable if you haven’t worn it for a few days. Your retainers will fit for as long as you consistently wear them.
It’s normal for your teeth to shift slightly once you stop wearing Invisalign. This is the result of everyday wear and tear on your teeth as you bite down, chew, swallow, and speak. The retainer is designed to prevent noticeable changes so you can maintain your new smile.
Get Started with Invisalign
The sooner you get started with Invisalign, the sooner you’ll have the beautiful new smile you deserve. Our , can help you achieve a straighter smile with clear aligners. To request an appointment, call Precision Family Dental at (616) 207-1280, or contact us online.
This blog post has been updated.