Invisalign treatment requires a significant commitment of time and money for a perfect smile, so it’s only natural to wonder about the duration of the process.
Unfortunately, there isn’t really a definitive answer to the question, as the length of treatment changes from person to person with their smile.
The treatment time for some patients may be only a few months, but for others, it can be several years.
In Gurgaon, at DentaAesthetica Dental Clinic, some patients are surprised to find that the duration of the Invisalign treatment is dependent on a number of factors, like the complexity of the case, the existing positioning of the teeth, or the presence of bite issues, as well as the commitment to wearing the aligners.
Why Treatment Time is Different for Each Invisalign Patient
To understand why treatment time is so different for each Invisalign patient, picture two candidates who are taking a trip. Candidate number one is leaving for a long trip, and their path is extremely winding with a lot of obstructions. Candidate number two is driving a fairly short distance on a straight path. We can all expect that the long, winding trip will arrive after the short, straight trip.
The same idea can be applied to the Invisalign process. The longer the journey, the larger the number of adjustments that are required to get to the final destination, and vice versa.
Invisalign has become a game-changer for both the patients and the orthodontists. With the help of digital imaging and software, orthodontists can create an innovative treatment plan that can even help forecast the duration of the treatment.
Case 1: Minor Alignment Issues
Of all the cases, this kind of case takes the least amount of time on average. This can include:
- Small gaps
- Some overlapping
- Small rotations
- General alignment
These cases can take about 4 to 6 months to fully treat. Because the movements are small, fewer trays are needed. These patients are typically adults who want to make some minor changes before big life events, like a wedding, professional events, or other important milestones. Positive changes can be seen in the first few weeks, which is a big motivator for patients.
Case 2: Moderate Spacing or Crowding
Moderate concerns are the most often seen cases. This can include:
- Crowding
- Spacing
- Many teeth out of alignment
- Some bite issues
Treatment for this group of patients is about 6 to 12 months, depending on the movements and the aligners. Most cases that fall into this group are working adults. The professionals want to avoid traditional braces. Most moderate cases have amazing results within the expected duration.
Case 3: Complex Orthodontic Cases
Invisalign has gotten better with time and now has the ability to solve many complicated orthodontic issues.
Some are:
- Severe crowding
- Major spacing issues
- Complex bite issues
- Many rotated teeth
- Combined alignment and bite issues
Most of these cases take 12 to 24 months. Because of how involved these cases are, patients have to use more aligners and come in for more appointments.
In all honesty, the treatment time might take a little bit longer, but many patients actually like the comfort, convenience, and, of course, the discretion of the aligners.
How Do Bite Issues Affect the Length of Treatment?
Bite issues do add complexity and contribute to aligning the treatment with Invisalign.
Overbites, underbites, and crossbites are all issues that do take a little more time to solve because they require a more exact and careful movement of the teeth compared to just aligning the teeth.
In cases where bite issues do occur, treatment can take anywhere from 12 months to over 18 months.
A thorough evaluation during the consultation will determine exactly how long you should expect to be in treatment.
Wearing the Aligners
One of the most important aspects that determines how long you are in treatment actually hinges on the client’s responsibility.
Invisalign is great because it is all removable as compared to traditional braces, but that does mean that they need a little more responsibility to actually wear the aligners.
The office will typically suggest wearing the aligners for 20-22 hours a day and only removing them for eating and drinking anything that is not water, brushing and flossing.
Patients who consistently use their aligners typically don’t have issues with their scheduled appointments. Patients who don’t wear their aligners consistently will likely see a delay in treatment.
In many situations, the timeframe of 10 to 14 months for completing treatment can be more about getting the patient to wear the aligners.
What to Expect During the Treatment Timeline First Appointment
The first step happens in our office at DentaAesthetica Dental Clinic in Gurgaon. The
doctor will do a general health assessment and a digital scan of the teeth. An initial treatment plan will be drafted.
Aligners are Made
Once the plan is finalized, the aligners are made. This step typically takes a couple of weeks.
The Treatment Phase
A new series of aligners is given every 1 to 2 weeks.
The aligners are designed to be progressively shifted to move the teeth closer to their new desired positions.
Progress Check-Ups
The treatment plan is assessed and adjusted at regularly scheduled appointments.
Refinement Stage
At the end of the series of aligners, some patients are given additional aligners as a step to make final tweaks to their results.
Retention Stage
Once all aligners have been completed, the position of the teeth is retained to help prevent shifting.
Can Invisalign Work Faster?
There are many patients who like to know if treatment can be completed in a shorter period of time.
Using innovative orthodontic methods may increase efficacy, but too much demand on the biological process of moving teeth is unsafe. Teeth need time to travel through bone. Even then, they move through tissue at great risk to themselves and the surrounding structures.
Time efficiency is in your hands. The best approach is to follow your doctor’s orders and wear your aligners as instructed.
How Do You Know Your Treatment is Going Well
There are many ways to tell that your Invisalign treatment is going well. They include:
- Front teeth alignments are
- Gaps are
- Bit adjustments are
- You are smiling
- Your aligners are fitting properly at each stage of the treatment
- Your aligners are on, so your teeth are
The Bottom Line
How long your treatment takes is dependent on your teeth, goals, and the complexity of the issues at hand. The minor issues may take as short as 4 to 6 months.
Moderate issues are 6 to 12 months. Complex issues are 12 to 24 months or longer.
The benefit to patients is that Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment which allows patients to reduce the time, discomfort, and aesthetics of a traditional orthodontic option. It is all in the planning and the follow-through (literally) to stay within the estimated time.
The team at DentaAesthetica Dental Clinic in Gurgaon have customized planning and treatments for every patient. The best step towards your orthodontic goals, getting the customized treatment you need, is to book your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will I finish my Invisalign treatment?
The lengths of treatments tend to last anywhere from 6 to 18 months, but it does depend on how difficult your specific case is.
2. Can Invisalign treatment finish faster than braces?
Sometimes, yes! If you have mild to moderate alignment issues, your treatment could finish in a similar timeframe to braces, or even faster.
3. What is going to happen if I do not follow your orders and wear the aligners?
If you decide not to wear your aligners, it delays your treatment even longer and makes the results inaccurate. You will also have to wear even more aligners, which makes the treatment overall longer.
