Closeup of woman putting in her Invisalign aligners while wearing red lipstick in Weatherford, TX

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

January 5, 2020 9:41 pm

In the past, when someone’s teeth weren’t as straight as they would like, metal braces were the only option. Now, there are clear aligners like Invisalign^®. These can address mild to moderate alignment issues. Unlike regular braces, you remove the aligners while you eat and clean your teeth. Read on to learn about the process to get your aligner trays and the average treatment time for Invisalign.

Invisalign at Meason Orthodontics

Invisalign isn’t the right orthodontic option for everyone. If your alignment issues are severe, traditional braces may be the best treatment option. At your orthodontic consultation, we’ll evaluate your smile and discuss your goals.

If we determine that Invisalign is a good treatment for you, we’ll use a 3D digital scanner to create images of your teeth and bite. The iTero scanner is great because we don’t need to mess with traditional teeth impressions. The scanner also doesn’t expose you to radiation. This technology even lets you see how your teeth will look after Invisalign!

How Long Does Invisalign Take?

The Invisalign aligners are clear trays that you wear for 20-22 hours a day for about two weeks at a time. The aligners gradually move your teeth into the position we want. After about two weeks, you’ll start wearing the next set. Although the average treatment time for Invisalign is 12-18 months, you will start noticing results in just a few weeks.

Why Get Invisalign?

The aligners are made of smooth clear plastic so are much less noticeable than traditional braces. Additionally, many patients find that being able to remove the trays for eating, drinking, and cleaning normalizes these daily activities. In contrast, braces stay on the entirety of treatment and require certain adjustments to your food choices and oral hygiene. However, you must commit to keeping your aligners clean and wearing them 20-22 hours a day.