We understand that you may be feeling a little impatient during Invisalign® treatment. However, it’s important that you remain diligent and wear your clear aligners 20 to 22 hours per day. Our Invisalign dentists in Cascade, Coopersville, and Wayland, MI, keep careful track of your progress to ensure your teeth move little by little into their final positions. That being said, there are certain factors that will affect the length of orthodontic treatment.
Here’s what you need to know.
Wearing Your Aligners Consistently
Invisalign treatment is a great alternative to traditional metal braces. Not only are these clear aligners discreet, but they can help you feel more confident while receiving orthodontic care. However, since Invisalign aligners are removable, you’ll be responsible for wearing them and following our instructions.
If you choose Invisalign treatment, you’ll need to commit to wearing your 20 to 22 hours per day. Otherwise, your teeth won’t move according to schedule and you’ll fall behind on your treatment plan. You’ll also need to practice good oral hygiene to avoid staining your clear orthodontic aligners and developing oral health issues, such as tooth decay.
Your Age When Starting Invisalign
In general, it’s easier to move your teeth and jaws into optimal alignment while you’re still growing. Once you become an adult, you’ll also gain bone density which makes teeth more difficult to move. While you can receive orthodontic treatment at any age, it may take more time to move teeth as an adult.
For complex cases, we often recommend that our pediatric patients receive Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatment. During Phase 1 treatment, we’re able to correct orthodontic issues early while the patient is between the ages of 6 and 9. This makes it easier for the patient to achieve a healthier, more attractive smile once they’re ready for Phase 2.
By moving the baby teeth into their proper positions during Phase 1, we’re able to create space for the permanent teeth to emerge without crowding. Phase 2 treatment begins once the patient has all their permanent adult teeth.
In general, we don’t recommend Invisalign aligners for children. This is because they lack the willpower to consistently wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. However, we may recommend regardless of whether they received two-phase orthodontic treatment or not.
What Orthodontic Issues You Have
During your consultation, one of our Invisalign dentists will evaluate the current health and condition of your smile. They’ll also determine the extent of your orthodontic issues. With this information, they’ll be able to estimate how long you’ll need to wear Invisalign clear aligners.
The more complex the issue, the longer it’ll take to treat it. If you have a couple of crooked teeth that only affect the aesthetic of your smile, you may not need to wear Invisalign aligners for long. In comparison, someone with severely crowded teeth and an overbite will most likely spend more time wearing Invisalign aligners.
Request an Invisalign Consultation
Our Invisalign dentists in Cascade, Coopersville, and Wayland, MI, are accepting new patients. To schedule an Invisalign consultation and learn more about your treatment options, please call Robinson Dental at 1-888-WE-C-U-NOW. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
