How long do you need to wear Invisalign aligners for? Well, how long your Invisalign treatment will take depends on a variety of factors. One of the most influential factors is how many hours you wear your aligners each day.
Many orthodontists will advise that Invisalign treatment can take between 6 – 12 months or more, depending on your case. There’s no one-size-fits-all for determining how long your treatment will last. That’s because every patient will have their own individual tooth alignment issues.
As a rule of thumb, adults tend to wear aligners for longer than teenagers. That’s because teenager’s teeth are easier to move and more responsive to treatment. On the other hand, adults tend to have more complex cases and less responsive jaws and teeth. That means treatment can take a little longer.
How Long Do You Wear Invisalign Aligners Each Day?
If you’re ready to invest your time and money into Invisalign orthodontic treatment, it’s important to wear your aligners for the recommended time of no less than 22 hours per day.
You cannot brush your teeth or eat with your aligners in, which means you cannot wear them every single minute of the day. However, we recommend that you limit the amount of time the aligners are not in your mouth to no more than 2 hours per day. In other words, you need to wear your aligners for around 22 hours every day.
Ignoring this advice could delay the date that you finish your Invisalign treatment.
22 Hours a Day is Key
Your unique aligners are designed to place a constant pressure on your teeth, slowly moving them into place. If you keep the aligners out for longer than you should each day, your teeth aren’t going to move as much. That could result in wearing the aligners for longer than your orthodontist first anticipated.
Reap the Benefits of Invisalign
When you wear your Invisalign aligners the way you’re supposed to, you’ll achieve a straighter smile. There are benefits of Invisalign over to traditional metal braces (which are stuck to your teeth and constantly working). Braces can’t be removed during treatment, while Invisalign can. This means that the patient has a responsibility to wear the aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day.
Your aligners can only benefit you when they are in your mouth. Your teeth need to be trained a certain way, and when you don’t keep up good Invisalign habits, there’s a chance it will take longer to achieve the desired results.
Short-Term Habits for Long-Term Effects
The biggest challenge when wearing Invisalign aligners is creating good oral habits. Getting used to taking them out only to eat and brush takes a little getting used to. However, these short-term habits can lead to long-term benefits.
It’s certainly tempting to remove your aligners when you’re going out to a party. But, not wearing your aligners for a few hours in a row can create long-term setbacks and delays.
Is Invisalign Quicker Than Braces?
When we look at “how long do you wear Invisalign,” we need to consider the difference between this treatment and traditional braces.
On the whole, Invisalign and metal braces take generally the same amount of time for the same orthodontic issues, with metal braces sometimes treating cases slightly faster. However, the deciding factor between metal braces and Invisalign is often lifestyle.
Invisalign can be more convenient than braces due to the fact that the aligners are removable & discrete. You won’t have to give up certain foods or be self-conscious while undergoing treatment.
As for visiting your orthodontist during treatment, the appointment lengths are about the same. Traditional metal braces must be tightened every 2 to 3 weeks, and during the Invisalign treatment, you’ll need to update the trays every 2 weeks or so.
Best of all, Invisalign aligner trays are highly durable. Yes, they can break if you’re not careful, and they can be lost. However, while wearing braces, you will need to take extra caution during contact sports and eating some foods. When metal braces break, it delays moving your teeth and can lengthen your treatment time.
Why Does Invisalign Treatment Time Differ?
Invisalign treatment can differ from one person to the next. More severe alignment complications take longer to fix. Below is a list of common alignment issues that Invisalign can treat:
1. How Long Do You Wear Invisalign To Close Gaps?
Small gaps can take just 6 weeks to fix. The issue with gaps, though, is that they often reform if you don’t make use of the right retention methods. So, keep in mind you will need a retainer after your Invisalign treatment to keep the gap closed.
2. How Long Do You Wear Invisalign for Crowded Teeth?
If you just have a mild case of crowded teeth, it can take just 6 months to sort out. Severe issues will take longer, and in some cases, your orthodontist might suggest using headgear or removing some teeth.
3. What About Straightening Adult Teeth?
Invisalign can be just as effective in straightening adult teeth as it is for teenagers. The time you’ll need to wear Invisalign to straighten your teeth will ultimately depend on the complexity of your orthodontic issues.
Even if your teeth only need minor corrections, treatment time can take longer if you fail to wear the aligner trays for the recommended 22 hours a day.
Is Invisalign for You?
Everybody is different when it comes to how their mouths are built. Where one person’s teeth could move effortlessly, another’s could be rather stubborn. There’s no way to tell for sure how easily your mouth will change until you start your Invisalign treatment. This is why the time needed for the treatment to work can vary from one person to another.
If you’re considering Invisalign treatment for your lifestyle, it might well be the perfect solution for you. You need to be sure, though, that you will remember to wear your aligners for 22 hours a day!
Discuss your treatment options today. Book a consultation at The Bachmayer Orthodontic Clinic.