At Implant and Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL, one of the many treatments we offer is Invisalign for straightening teeth. When discussing with a new patient about the treatment, one of the most frequently asked questions we get is how quickly do teeth move with clear aligners? The actual length of treatment differs from person to person and is dependent on several factors.
How Quickly Do Teeth Move With Invisalign?
If you choose clear aligners like Invisalign for your orthodontic treatment, you’ll be eager to see the results right away. Most patients will notice visible improvements in their smiles within six weeks of starting the treatment.
Invisalign can make a difference in as little as two weeks for some patients. Others with complex cases, on the other hand, will take longer. Whatever it takes to see the changes, remember that your trays are working to shift your teeth in the desired position. The aligners are always working to give you the delightful, straight smile you’ve always wanted.
What Factors Affect the Treatment’s Timeline?
Certain factors can influence the length of time it takes to straighten your teeth. Let’s take a look at these factors and see how each affects the length of your treatment.
Severity of the Condition
More time is needed in complex cases. If your teeth have large gaps between them, a tooth extraction must be performed to prevent crowding. Although the average wear time for clear aligners is approximately a year, it is not uncommon for trays to be regularly changed for up to two or more years if required for Invisalign.
Commitment to the Process
If you forget to move to the next tray or don’t wear your aligner as often as you should, then it may take more time to complete the treatment. This reason is why it’s crucial to make sure you’re ready to commit to the process before you even start.
Schedule of Tray Changes
Your clear aligners will have a date assigned to them, indicating when you should start wearing each. Trays are typically changed every 10 to 14 days. However, in some cases, we may decide to have you wear the tray for up to 30 days to make sure the desired changes take effect, and your teeth won’t move back when you move to the next tray.
Financing
You may pay for all trays at once or in multiple deposits over a few months. If payment affects the speed at which you receive your trays, you should expect the entire process to take longer.
The Advantages of Invisalign
Feel More Comfortable
In comparison to traditional braces, removable aligners are more comfortable. Traditional braces have sharp, metallic edges, which may dig into your lips and cheeks. They can leave painful sores that take a long time to heal. You can try to apply wax to the outer surface of your brackets, but often they drop off fast.
Removable aligners are made to fit your teeth perfectly. They have smooth surfaces made of high-quality resin so that no jagged material will pierce your mouth. Invisible aligners also have more good control over straightening your teeth due to their custom fit. You’ll receive a series of clear aligners over your treatment course. Each one will gradually adjust your teeth until every tooth is set in its right position.
Clean Your Mouth More Easily
One of the most remarkable advantages of removable aligners over traditional braces is that it allows you to take better care of your teeth. Ideally, your teeth and mouth should remain healthy for the rest of your treatment. With conventional braces, pieces of food and plaque may get stuck around and inside brackets that are difficult to clean properly. This condition may contribute to gum disease and even tooth decay.
In contrast, you can take out the aligners and go about your regular dental routine with Invisalign. There’s no need for you to buy orthodontic or special brushes. You may floss and brush as you usually do, without special equipment. We also recommend that you brush and clean the inside of your aligner to ensure that no food or bacteria accumulates. In addition, you should keep the storage case for your aligners clean as well.
Reduce Dental Problems
Misaligned teeth can affect more than just self-consciousness about your smile. You’re more susceptible to a variety of dental issues if your teeth are crooked. Also, broadly spaced or crowded teeth can cause oral diseases because your gums don’t fit well around your teeth. Invisible aligners can be used to correct a dental overbite or underbite. An abnormal bite can result in various issues, ranging from unwanted tooth erosion to gum infections.
Expect Less Extensive Appointments
If you get traditional braces, you’ll have scheduled appointments that require a thorough assessment of your teeth. Most of the time, these appointments entail inserting plastic pieces into your mouth that spread your cheeks wide apart to allow for examination and diagnostic measures. They can irritate your cheeks and feel invasive after a long period of use.
With Invisalign, it’s easier to detail the teeth due to technological advancements. In most cases, we will not even have to make a traditional mold. We can take a full scan of your teeth using 3D scanning technology. These scans are then converted into 3D prints, which we will use to create your custom aligners.
Feel More Confident
The most common reason people straighten their teeth is for cosmetic reasons. When you wake up, one of the first things you notice is your teeth, and your smile is the first thing others see. You won’t feel secure in yourself if you don’t feel positive about how your smile looks. Many people can attest that straightening their teeth can enhance self-esteem and confidence, especially in their younger years.
Another advantage of invisible aligners is that they are made of transparent resin and are custom-made to fit your teeth. Unlike traditional braces, they are virtually invisible, so few people will notice you are receiving orthodontic treatment. Traditional braces are more likely to trigger bullying and harassment among adolescents. Using an invisible aligner to straighten your teeth can help you gain confidence and improve your dental health while also avoiding uncomfortable situations.
Shorter Dental Visits
Traditional braces involve frequent visits to an orthodontist. These appointments are scheduled to ensure that your braces are correctly adjusted. During these visits, a number of possible changes may be performed. Brackets may be tightened, and extra wire may be used to connect specific brackets. It’s possible that you’ll spend hours in the dental clinic for your appointment.
You won’t need to visit the dentist as often with invisible aligners, and your visits will be much shorter and less intrusive. You’ll need to come back every four to six weeks, but in the meantime, you’ll have a new set of aligners to change every two weeks. Since the aligner systems are already scheduled and created, no additional dental work is needed for your teeth to be corrected.
Eat More Types of Food and Drink
Traditional braces limit what you can eat and drink, but Invisalign allows you to consume pretty much whatever you want. You won’t need to avoid eating certain types of food that may cause metal brackets to snap off. If you love eating crunchy and sticky foods, wearing metal braces might make you feel deprived. With clear aligners, you don’t have to worry about your food possibly affecting or interfering with your dental treatment.
Nevertheless, you may only drink water while wearing your aligners. Food particles may otherwise get stuck in the aligners, causing the accumulation of bacteria and plaques. To keep your aligners safe and clean, you must put them away once they have been removed. After you’ve finished eating, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water before putting your aligners back in. This habit will prevent food particles from accumulating.
See Results Much Faster
The majority of traditional braces take between 16 and 18 months to complete. It can take up to two years or longer for some. Indeed, it’s a long time to wait for your teeth to look straight. Because traditional braces do not have precise movement plans, they can take longer to complete.
The benefit of using invisible aligners is that most treatments last approximately a year. Because of their discreet appearance, most people won’t even know you’re wearing them. A year of treatment can go by quickly, especially if no one notices you’re wearing anything at all. Still, you may take more time if you do not wear your aligners as much as possible or correctly.
Get the Treatment You Need for a Better Smile
Each mouth is unique, and your treatment should be tailored to your specific goals and objectives. It’s best to speak with a qualified dentist to address your concerns and answer your questions. To find out if Invisalign is an excellent alternative to braces to help you achieve the smile of your dreams, call Implant and Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL today.
