How Long Do You Have to Wear Invisalign®?

Invisalign® braces have been a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that has changed millions of smiles. Traditional braces have been the go-to option for a long time, and most adults did not fancy getting their teeth straightened. Thankfully, we have Invisalign® at Huntington Beach, CA, for anyone who wishes to straighten their teeth discreetly.

Even though metal braces and Invisalign operate under the same principle, some people still believe that Invisalign is ineffective and the treatment takes much longer than metal braces.

Before we check out how long you need to wear Invisalign aligners, let’s understand the treatment.

How Do Invisalign Aligners Work?

Orthodontic issues such as misaligned, crooked, or spaced teeth can come with various issues. You will have to deal with poor oral hygiene, indigestion, jaw pain, headaches, etc. That’s why you need not ignore orthodontic problems but seek treatment to restore your bite.

Invisalign employs the same principle, so moving the teeth into their new positions is the main idea. The devices used are the main thing that sets Invisalign and metal braces apart.

Unlike traditional braces adorned with wires and brackets used to move the teeth, Invisalign uses a set of customized plastic trays. The customized trays resemble mouth guards and are made using a digital tooth impression, which our dentist in Huntington Beach takes during your initial consultation.

The digital image will be uploaded to a computer, where software creates a 3D image of your teeth. The 3D image will be used to fabricate the trays and develop a treatment plan. The beautiful thing about the Invisalign process is that you can see how your teeth will look after the treatment.

Once the trays are ready, our dentist near you will give you a few trays. You will wear each tray for about 10 days before you discard them and then start wearing the next one in the series. You will continue with this pattern until your treatment is complete. However, you must wear the aligners for not less than 20 hours every day.

Since aligners are designed to be snug, they will only apply gentle pressure on your teeth, enough to move them to the desired position.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Work?

We know that Invisalign is designed to be sleek, comfortable, and discreet, but no one enjoys wearing them daily. So, it is understandable when you feel as though you want to stop wearing them. Thankfully, most people only need to wear Invisalign aligners for under two years. Some people might even see results after six months.

But we cannot negate that every person’s smile goals and alignment needs vary. So the answer won’t be as straightforward as you’d expect. The treatment time might vary depending on the following:

• How much do your teeth require to be moved to their desired position? The farther your teeth are apart, the longer the time
• How fast your teeth move. The pace of teeth movement will vary from patient to patient. Some patient’s bone structure will cause their teeth to shift way slower than others
• How complex your orthodontic issue is. If you have a complex orthodontic problem, you will need more time and trays to complete your treatment
• How compliant are you with the treatment plan? If you don’t wear your aligners for a minimum of 20 hours daily, then your treatment will take much longer

How Can You Get the Best Results?

The ultimate thing you can do for your smile is to adhere to our dentist’s instructions. You will need a mental shift to ensure you get the best results. Remember that the bulk of the work is on your end. At this point, Invisalign and metal braces part ways; with metal braces, you cannot “cheat,” but with Invisalign, you can choose when to remove them.

So, take heed of the following tips if you want to get the best results:

• Mind the Hours

It would help to be mindful of the hours since your treatment depends on it. Even though you can remove the aligners at will, you should be aware of the hours.

• Practice Proper Oral Hygiene

Your aligners need to be clean. So it would be best to clean them daily using Invisalign-friendly equipment. Remember that you cannot wear the aligners without brushing your teeth.

• Improve Your Diet

It would help if you nourished your teeth by eating foods loaded with vitamin D and calcium. Plus, remove your aligners when you are eating or drinking beverages.
If you have any unanswered questions, contact us at Seascape Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry.