If you’re thinking about straightening your teeth, you probably want to know two things: what will my smile look like and how long will Invisalign take?
The simple answer is that Invisalign treatment time varies from person to person. Your teeth are unique, and so is the movement required to achieve your treatment goals.
Why does Invisalign treatment time vary?
Invisalign doesn’t use one standard treatment plan. Your dentist assesses the position of your teeth and bite before planning how your teeth need to move.
Factors affecting your treatment time can include how much your teeth need to move, crowding or spacing, your bite, the complexity of your case, the number and type of movements required, how consistently you wear your aligners and how your teeth respond during treatment.
When will I start seeing a difference?
One of the exciting parts of orthodontic treatment is noticing your smile begin to change. You may notice changes before treatment is complete.
Invisalign Australia states that, depending on case complexity, some patients could begin seeing changes in their smile within six months. Seeing a change doesn’t mean treatment is finished; your teeth need to continue progressing through the prescribed treatment plan.
How does Invisalign treatment begin?
- Step 1: Assessing your smileYour dentist needs to understand what you’d like to change and determine whether Invisalign is appropriate for you.
- Step 2: Planning your treatmentIf Invisalign is suitable, a personalised treatment plan is developed. Digital technology can be used to capture information about your teeth and plan the movements required throughout treatment.
- Step 3: Starting your alignersYou’ll receive your prescribed Invisalign aligners and instructions explaining how to wear and care for them.
- Step 4: Progress reviewsYour dentist will review your progress during treatment and check that treatment is progressing appropriately.
- Step 5: Completing treatmentRetention is an important consideration following orthodontic treatment because teeth can move after treatment. Your dentist will explain what retention is required in your individual circumstances.
Does wearing Invisalign more often make treatment faster?
You should wear your aligners according to your dentist’s instructions rather than attempting to change the prescribed schedule yourself. Invisalign advises that aligners are typically worn for approximately 20–22 hours each day.
What happens if I forget to wear my aligners?
Invisalign treatment depends partly on patient compliance. If you’re frequently not wearing your aligners for the prescribed amount of time, your teeth may not progress as planned. If an aligner no longer fits properly, contact your treating dentist for advice.
Can Invisalign straighten teeth quickly?
Some cases are simpler than others. The important question isn’t simply “What’s the fastest Invisalign treatment?” but “What treatment is appropriate for my teeth and the result I’m trying to achieve?”
How can I help keep my Invisalign treatment on track?
Follow the treatment plan provided by your dentist, including wearing your aligners for the prescribed amount of time, looking after them properly, maintaining good oral hygiene and attending recommended review appointments.
Start your Invisalign journey in Alderley
If you’re considering Invisalign in Brisbane and would like to know what’s possible for your smile, Alderley Dental can help.
Located approximately 6km north of Brisbane CBD, Alderley Dental also welcomes patients from surrounding areas including Enoggera, Newmarket, Gaythorne and Stafford.
Start online with a Virtual Smile Consultation
With Alderley Dental’s Virtual Smile Consultation, you can submit details about what you’d like to change along with photographs of your smile. Dr Robert Zhang will review your submission and provide some initial guidance on treatment options that may be worth exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does Invisalign take?Treatment time varies according to the complexity of your individual case and treatment plan. Your dentist can provide an estimated timeframe after assessing your teeth.
- How quickly will I see results from Invisalign?You may begin noticing changes during treatment, although when those changes become visible varies between patients and depends on the movements being planned.
- How many hours a day should I wear Invisalign?Invisalign advises that aligners are typically worn approximately 20–22 hours each day. Always follow your treating dentist’s individual instructions.
- What happens after Invisalign treatment finishes?Retention is generally an important part of maintaining the new position of your teeth after orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will advise what is appropriate for you.
- Can I speed up my Invisalign treatment?Follow the treatment plan and wear schedule prescribed by your dentist rather than attempting to accelerate treatment yourself.
Find out what your Invisalign timeline could look like
Book a complimentary initial Invisalign suitability consultation with Alderley Dental, or get started remotely through our Virtual Smile Consultation.
The complimentary consultation is an initial suitability discussion and is not a comprehensive dental examination. Any additional diagnostic records, scans or examinations required will be discussed separately.
All dental treatment carries risks and may not be suitable for everyone. Individual consultation with a dental practitioner is required to determine whether treatment is appropriate for you.
