Crowded or crooked teeth can be uncomfortable and make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. When you’re looking for an alternative to braces in order to straighten your teeth, Invisalign in Shelburne is a good option to consider. These aligners gradually shift or move your teeth into the proper position, which can take time. How long can you expect to wear these aligners for? Keep the following in mind if you’re thinking about choosing Invisalign to straighten your teeth.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Knowing how Invisalign works can help you understand why treatment times can vary. Invisalign consists of sets of aligners that you wear on your teeth. These aligners are custom-made, which provides a comfortable fit. In order for them to work effectively, you’ll need to wear them 22 hours per day. As your teeth shift, you’ll come in for a new set of aligners to wear until your teeth are straight.
Invisalign Timeline Overview
Invisalign can take several months to complete, but the exact timeline varies based on different factors. In general, Invisalign for crooked teeth might take between a year and 18 months to complete, while crowded teeth might require 2 years or more of Invisalign treatment. Several factors determine how long you might need to wear these aligners. These include how severe crooked or crowded teeth are and how long it takes your teeth to shift position. Tooth movement varies for each person, so your teeth might take a longer or shorter time to shift compared to other people. If your teeth need to move a longer distance to get into the correct position, you should expect treatment to take longer. If you have crowded teeth or a similar complex case, you might need to wear Invisalign for a longer period of time overall.
You should find out how long you can expect to wear these aligners for when you go to your consultation. Keep in mind that you can end up needing Invisalign treatment for a longer time if you don’t wear your aligners for fewer than 22 hours a day. Your treatment might not produce the results you want either if you aren’t wearing your Invisalign aligners long enough.
Invisalign for Crowded Teeth and Gaps
Invisalign treatment can take longer when you have larger gaps between teeth. You might need to wear your aligners for around 2 years in this case. For smaller gaps, Invisalign treatment typically takes a shorter amount of time, since your teeth do not have to move as far. Crowded teeth can take up to a year of Invisalign as long as crowding is not severe. If you have a severe case of crowded teeth, you might need to wear Invisalign for 2 years or more. In some cases, these aligners might not be effective at correcting severe crowding.
Invisalign Timeline for Adults and Children
If you’re an adult, will you need to wear aligners for a longer period of time compared to children? Invisalign treatment times can vary for adults and children, but there are no major differences overall between these age groups in terms of how long they need to wear these aligners.
Contact Us About Invisalign in Shelburne
If you’re looking for more information on Invisalign, please contact Shelburne Village Dental to make an appointment. We can help you learn more about these aligners, including how long you might need to wear them overall.