Invisalign is a highly popular option for those wanting to straighten their teeth effectively yet discreetly.
Suitable for mild to moderate misalignments, Invisalign works by wearing a series of clear aligners. Over time, these aligners will gradually shift the teeth into a straighter position.
At High Street Smiles, Invisalign is one of the many orthodontic treatments we specialise in at our Warrington dental practice here in Cheshire.
So that you can enter the treatment process feeling fully informed, our dentists have put together the following guide on how long does Invisalign take to work to explain everything you need to know.
The Invisalign procedure
Your Invisalign journey will begin with a consultation at our Warrington dental practice. This is an opportunity to discuss your treatment goals, and for our dentists to assess your suitability for Invisalign.
If you’re a good candidate, we will take scans and X-rays of your teeth which will allow us to create a highly personalised treatment plan based on the severity of your issue. 3D imaging technology also assists us with being able to produce your aligners.
Once your aligners have been made, you’ll return to us for a fitting appointment so we can show you how to wear your aligners properly. We’ll also give you advice on how to take care of your Invisalign aligners.
From there, we’ll typically see you every six to eight weeks throughout the course of your treatment. The purpose of these visits is to ensure everything is going as expected based on the movement of your teeth. This includes instructing you on when it’s time to change your aligner
so that your teeth will continue to shift into their correct position.
Producing results
Invisalign treatment times can vary from patient to patient. The average treatment duration is anywhere from 3 months to 18 months.
Following a consultation, your dentist will be able to give you a tailored timeframe based on their observations as well as any scans taken.
What contributes to longer treatment times?
One of the most common questions our Warrington patients ask about teeth straightening is: How long does it take for Invisalign to work?
As you might expect, the severity of your case is the biggest determining factor. This is similar to joining a gym, in that reaching your fitness goals will also depend on your starting point.
Invisalign is capable of addressing a range of issues such as crowding, gaps between teeth, crossbites, underbites and overbites. Ultimately, whether your issue is considered minor or complex will impact how many trays you will need, plus the length of time it will take to reach the ideal outcome.
Additional factors which can shorten or lengthen your Invisalign treatment time include:
- Aligner wear time
- Damaged aligners
- Mid-treatment correction requirements
- Not changing trays as instructed
- Poorly fitting aligners
- Skipping the recommended attachments
- Unforeseen dental issues
- Your age
Whether your case is considered minor or more complex, keeping up with all your dentist appointments during your treatment can help ensure your teeth are moving as expected.
Should there be any hiccups (i.e. you damage or misplace your aligners), seeing us promptly can also avoid complications or delays with your treatment.
How to make Invisalign work faster for you
It probably comes as no surprise that following all the advice your dentist gives you when undergoing Invisalign is the best way to avoid complications. This includes Invisalign taking longer than it should to work.
One of the most important things is wearing your aligners for the recommended 22 hours a day. By only removing your aligners when you eat or drink, brush your teeth or clean the aligners, you stand a much better chance of your treatment time remaining on track.
You should also keep to the schedule as to when you should change your aligners. If your dentist approves, it is sometimes possible to move to the next aligner ahead of schedule.
Another tip your dentist may suggest is using Invisalign chewies. These are small rubber cylinders that encourage a snug fit of the aligners and also facilitate better movement of the teeth.
Tips on good dental and aligner care
If you decide to go ahead with Invisalign, it makes sense to do everything you can to maximise your results both in the short and long term.
These are some of the top steps our dentists recommend to maintain your oral health, plus take care of your aligners while you undergo Invisalign treatment.
Wearing your aligner for the right amount of time
Invisalign aligners need to be worn for 22 hours a day unless your dentist instructs otherwise. If you don’t wear your aligner for this length of time, your treatment may take longer to work.
Apart from cleaning your teeth or the trays, the only time when you should remove your aligners is when you eat or drink. However, water is safe to drink while wearing your aligners.
You can set yourself a reminder to put your aligners back in if you are likely to forget.
Switch aligners when instructed
A major advantage of Invisalign is that unlike braces, the changes to your teeth are made possible by wearing a series of clear aligners.
However, you will need to commit to switching the aligners as directed so that your teeth can continue to shift position. You will typically need to change the aligner every two weeks.
Depending on the severity of your case, it’s possible to need anywhere from 12-50 aligners.
Missing steps or not switching the aligner at the correct time can impact the success of your treatment.
Clean your aligners regularly
Even though you should be removing your aligner before eating and drinking, the aligner is still likely to pick up bacteria from your mouth throughout the day. If debris is caught in the aligner and it’s worn against your teeth, this increases the chances of developing tooth decay or gum disease.
Therefore, you’ll need to get into the habit of cleaning your aligners very frequently. This includes rinsing the aligner with water, as well as using a soft toothbrush and toothpaste to clean it.
Specialist Invisalign cleaning systems also exist.
Maintain excellent oral hygiene
As we’ve just touched upon, you should be cleaning your teeth before replacing your aligners after you eat and drink.
However, it’s just as important to brush and floss daily and also keep up with your hygienist visits. By keeping your mouth healthy, you are less likely to develop problems as you undergo your teeth straightening treatment.
Wear your retainer
This final tip is actually for when you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment!
Your dentist will advise you to wear a retainer so that your results can be maintained. That’s because there is a chance that your teeth can shift back into their old position. By wearing a retainer, it helps to secure the new position of your teeth that you’ve worked hard to achieve.
It’s certainly not the case that you’ll need to wear a retainer forever. But, you should regularly check in with your dentist so that they can offer personalised advice.
High Street Smiles—Start your Invisalign treatment in Warrington
Now you know more about what to expect with Invisalign, including the average time it takes to work, are you ready to begin your teeth straightening journey?
Based in Warrington, High Street Smiles welcomes patients from across the wider Cheshire area. Book a consultation for Invisalign to find out more.
You may also be interested in seeing our Invisalign before and after images by following us on Instagram.
Or, do you have a question about our teeth straightening treatments in Warrington? Please give us a call on 01942 726983.
