For individuals who are faced with the prospect of needing to get orthodontics for the first time, many find themselves interested to hear about Invisalign. But where did Invisalign come from and why is it so popular? Let’s take a look at what the experts have to say.
In 1997, two students from Stanford University, together with a computer specialist, founded Invisalign Technology in Palo Alto, CA, USA. It was soon approved by the Food and Drug Administration (Galan-Lopez L et al., 2019).
Using braces, ligatures, archwires, and other common orthodontic treatments can make dental hygiene difficult and can often cause discomfort and interfere with aesthetics (Galan-Lopez L et al., 2019). That’s why Invisalign is so appealing. It is almost completely invisible and that way you can keep it your little secret.
Some have thought that the ideal orthodontic appliance should not interfere with oral hygiene, and should not damage the oral tissues. It should be light but able to withstand the normal forces in the mouth, and allow good control of the anchor points (Galan-Lopez L et al., 2019).
That’s why many are opting for the more comfortable Invisalign treatment.
How long does it take for Invisalign to work?
Despite the fact Invisalign is nearly 25 years old, the technology continues to be on the very cusp of cutting edge medical technology as improvements every year make Invisalign better and better. This of course leads individuals to ask the natural questions such as how long does it take to get Invisalign? How long does Invisalign last? How long does it take for Invisalign to work? What is the Invisalign treatment time? And how long to wear Invisalign before you can take it off?
How Long Does Invisalign Take to Straighten Teeth Image by Mark Mook from Pixabay
Invisalign treatment time
Let’s start with the first things first and talk about treatment time. Treatment time will vary from individual to individual. The fact of the matter is that most orthodontics will vary depending on your individual needs. If you have more severe orthodontic problems, it will obviously take longer than if you have less severe issues. However, in general you can start to see results from the Invisalign treatment in as little as just a few weeks. This can be a huge boost to individuals who are concerned about their orthodontic state and want to be able to see results quickly. Of course, since Invisalign utilizes clear plastic retainers to help move the teeth, you actually do get to see progress as it’s being made.
The treatment time for Invisalign can be longer often than it is for traditional metal braces and this is because traditional metal braces are braces that are fixed in place and are not removable and because of that it makes it so that they are operating day and night, 24/7. Invisalign on the other hand has both the benefit and the drawback that it is removable.
Because of this, Invisalign can sometimes be forgotten by individuals who are not as dutiful at following their orthodontic procedure. Taking them out for meals and brushing is fine but leaving them out or forgetting them completely is where major problems can begin to crop up. This is because treatment times may not only be slowed but in the worst cases for individuals who chronically forget to replace their orthodontics, their treatment can actually regress. This means that Invisalign is the type of orthodontic treatment you should engage with only if you are going to be active in pursuing and protecting your own oral health.
How long does it take to get Invisalign?
The simple answer is not long. High quality orthodontic offices like Ivanov Orthodontics can offer the Invisalign treatment fairly readily and with minimal time delays. You will need to come in for an appointment to get some scans of your teeth and molds taken so that way they can make sure that the Invisalign orthodontics fit you properly. Every Invisalign treatment is custom-made for the individual using it. You can never use the Invisalign retainers from another individual even if they receive similar treatment as every mouth and tooth is unique and requires customized orthodontic Invisalign gear to be effective. However, most Invisalign can be installed within just a couple of weeks or less from when you had your first orthodontic appointment.
How long to wear Invisalign
For individuals looking to get treatment quickly and with the least amount of invasiveness possible, Invisalign is a great option. Because it is removable, it allows you to be able to eat, brush, and floss just as you normally do, and because it is clear it will not impact or impede your beautiful smile in any way.
However, unlike more traditional methods it is absolutely essential that you make sure that you continue your Invisalign treatment with minimal oversight. Certainly your orthodontist can remind you, but is really falls to you to make sure that you utilize your Invisalign treatment for the requisite 22 hours per day. Failing to do so can result in your treatment stalling or even reversing which will cause more time delay and can even cost more money by increasing your treatment times.
How long does Invisalign last?
Each set of Invisalign aligners is made to be durable, as they are to be worn most hours a day. But they are not meant to last forever, and realistically you will only have them for a few weeks until your teeth move enough to be ready for the next set of aligners.
Something else to keep in mind is that while they are durable, they are not going to hold up if they are washed in boiling or very hot tap water. Hot water can warp them and they won’t keep their shape correctly. You should also not use a harsh powder or stiff toothbrush to clean them with. These products can scratch the aligners and lead to pockets where bacteria can get in and grow.
So take charge of your oral health and get the cutting edge Invisalign technology to protect your oral health and your beautiful smile.
Summary:
In general, depending on your circumstances, braces will take anywhere from about 12 months to about 2 years between the time they are first installed and when they are taken out and that phase of your treatment is complete. However, the time that is required for you to complete your orthodontic treatment will vary depending on the severity of your oral condition, your compliance with treatment protocol, and other factors which the orthodontist will discuss with you at your consultations.
The same is true for Invisalign in that the length of time depends on your specific needs. Although with newer Invisalign technology, there is a slightly shorter treatment time of between 12 and 18 months.
Furthermore, some orthodontists can offer you weekly Invisalign changes, rather than the more common 2-4 week period. With weekly changes, it means that the rate at which your teeth are shifting is faster than with the biweekly changes.
It is crucial to visit your orthodontist near me for a proper assessment. This is when the orthodontist will determine how complex your case is and will be able to give you an estimate of how long your treatment period will be. Also, you must continue to attend your regularly scheduled orthodontic appointments where your orthodontist will check the progress of your Invisalign treatment.
Fortunately, one advantage of Invisalign is that you can begin to see the positive effects of your treatment within a matter of weeks.
Reference:
Galan-Lopez, L., Barcia-Gonzalez, J., & Plasencia, E. (2019). A Systematic Review of the Accuracy and Efficiency of Dental Movements with Invisalign®. Korean Journal of Orthodontics, 49(3), 140–149. https://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2019.49.3.140
