How Does Invisalign Move Teeth? How Long Does it Take? (7 EASY FACTS)

In this post, we’ll quickly take you through the question – How long does Invisalign take to move teeth? 

In short A straight smile can be achieved with Invisalign in as little as 12-18 months for most adults. The Invisalign process often begins to show results within a few weeks. A new set of aligners is provided every week or two, and the aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours per day.

Let’s get cracking with more details.

In the past decade, Invisalign has become an increasingly popular orthodontic treatment. Patients enjoy that it is slightly more discreet than clunky metal braces, so the aligners are a great choice for patients who want to avoid noticeable orthodontic devices while they are straightening your teeth. Though aligners are a great way to fix misaligned teeth, a lot of people still do not know much about them. One of the most commonly asked questions is from people wondering if the aligners take a long time to become effective.

How Quickly Do Aligners Move Teeth?

Aligners can move teeth up to .25 mm with each new tray. This means that it is possible for teeth to move .25 mm every time a tray is changed which is normally every two weeks. Orthodontists may recommend slightly slower treatment times in order to reduce any discomfort. However, it is ultimately possible to shift teeth the maximum amount with each new tray change. Though .25 mm may not seem like a lot, it is enough to result in a visible change within just a month.

Is There Any Way to Speed Up the Process?

You will get the fastest results by following any instructions given to you by your orthodontist. Patients are normally told to wear their trays for 20 to 22 hours each day and switch the trays roughly every two weeks. You should not switch your tray early, because your teeth might not be ready for that yet, but you can wear your trays for the maximum amount of time each day. This will help the process to progress at the fastest possible rate.

If you want to hurry up the process, you may be able to talk to your doctor and see if it is alright to change your aligner trays at a slightly faster rate. AcceleDent Aura combines the latest innovations in orthodontic technology with compact convenience to bring patients an expedited experience with dental corrections, such as braces and Invisalign aligners.

The finely tuned micro-pulses generated by this device accelerate movements of bone structure within the teeth, curtailing the time necessary to reach a perfect smile. Prior to this invention, orthodontics alone were only capable of restructuring misaligned teeth within a matter of years. Now, twenty minutes of this product daily in conjunction with professional installments can reduce that time-span to half its length.

 

Invisalign FAQ:

How Does Invisalign Work?

In order to find an estimated treatment time for aligners, it is necessary to understand how they function. The aligner system involves a set of clear trays molded from medical grade resin. Your orthodontist will create a 3D image of your teeth and create a custom treatment plan.

Aligners are then cast based on your individual mouth shape, and they are designed in a shape that applies gentle pressure to the teeth. Every two weeks or so, you switch to a new set of aligners that further brings your teeth into the correct position. Over time, your teeth will gradually move into their correct positions.

 

How Long Does Invisalign Take to Straighten Teeth?

The time taken to straighten your teeth with aligner treatment varies greatly depending on a patient’s needs. Some of you may just need to wear your aligners for about six months, while others may end up using the product for a few years. If your teeth are very far away from their proper position, the process will take longer, but if your teeth are almost entirely straight already, it is a much quicker procedure.

Generally, the amount of time as an orthodontic patient will wear your aligners is about nine to 15 months. However, some patients only need to wear them for six months, while you can end up using for up to 36 months. Time taken to straighten your teeth is dependent completely on you.

 

How Painful is Invisalign?

Anyone who has straightened their teeth with traditional metal aligners knows how painful it can be to get these aligners routinely tightened at the orthodontics office. Plus, the excess of metal on the teeth can scrape and irritate sensitive tissue inside the mouth, leading to painful canker sores and cuts.

Luckily, plastic aligners are made of a flexible material which is carefully crafted to fit the shape of your teeth perfectly. This means that they won’t scrape your gums or the inside of your mouth. Plus, they can be removed and put back in with little to no discomfort.

Some patients report minor discomfort within a few hours of putting in a new pair of aligner trays. This discomfort is very temporary and can be relieved with over-the-counter painkillers.

 

Are Aligners Faster than Braces?

Most patients are interested in knowing how aligners compare to more traditional metal braces, and many assume that clear trays must not be as effective as heavy arches of metal. However, this is normally not the case. Aligners change the position of each tooth individually, while metal options work by pulling all of the teeth together into one general direction.

This means that movements are spread out over the entire mouth with metal orthodontic devices, instead of focusing on the teeth that actually need to move. Therefore, traditional metal options can lead to slightly longer treatment time. Generally, the treatment time is about the same, but aligners can sometimes be slightly faster.

 

 

Are There Any Reasons That Would Slow Down Treatment?

The one downside to aligners is that the custom molding and imaging process is a little lengthy. This is normally not an issue if an orthodontist can create a treatment plan that works without any corrections from start to finish. However, it is very common for patients to need a mid-course correction.

When this happens, they will have to wait for a new set of trays to be printed. Depending on shipping and how busy the molding company is, this can add a few weeks or so to a patient’s treatment time frame.