Smile Time: How Long for Invisalign® to Work Its Magic

At Hello Ortho, we love helping our patients achieve confident grins, and one of our favorite smile solutions is Invisalign®. Their invisible transformation style is comfortable, convenient, and confidence-boosting. But when we welcome someone to their new Invisalign treatment, there’s one question we always hear: “How long does it take to work?” The answer? It depends.

That’s probably different from what you wanted to hear, but don’t worry. Keep reading to learn more about the average treatment time for Invisalign and how to reach the finish line on time.

How Long is the Average Invisalign Journey?

Orthodontic care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Invisalign is specially designed with the patient’s needs and goals in mind. Using scans taken during your initial consultation, the Hello Ortho team identifies important bite problems and tooth troubles. When estimating length of treatment, this is the most important consideration.

Simple orthodontic issues like mild crowding can often be corrected in as little as six months. Fixing small cosmetic flaws (like minor gaps) can take just 8 to 10 weeks to correct! However, if you’re dealing with complex issues like significant crowding or bite misalignment, expect a longer ride—typically 12 to 18 months and sometimes up to two years.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Treatment Times

That’s about it for averages – but what keeps your smile on the move (or makes it stall out)? Commitment is number one! For instance, wearing your aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours daily is crucial. This golden rule ensures your tooth movement remains on schedule. Switching sets of aligners on time also maintains your mouth’s momentum. Your orthodontist will pace out your Invisalign trays (usually one set of aligners for one to two weeks), and swapping to your next Invisalign aligners prevents delays. (Don’t change them early, either!)

Good oral hygiene habits are another essential routine since aligners can make you susceptible to cavities and gum inflammation. When these need to be treated, your progress is temporarily held up. Regular brushing and flossing keep your teeth and gums healthy and your trays on track.

Complete Your Transformation ASAP

Eager to show off your new smile sooner rather than later? Here are a few tips to help you avoid cutting corners during your treatment plan.

• When you aren’t wearing them, put aligners in a bright case (and an eye-catching spot). A bold case avoids “out of sight, out of mind” incidents.
• Use smartphone alarms or an app to remind you when to swap to a new set of trays every week or two.
• Bring floss and toothbrushing gear with you when you go out so you’ll always be able to take care of your teeth – even on the go!
• Don’t skip checkups. Regular appointments ensure that you’ll know if something needs to be tweaked as soon as possible.

Be Patient – You’ll Say Hello to a New Smile Soon!

Treatment can last anywhere from a few months for minor fixes to nearly two years for more complex cases. Whether your smile needs fine-tuning or more extensive work, remember that day-to-day commitment is the key to a speedy and successful transformation. And when you’re done, you’ll say hello to a smile you love!