How Long Do You Need to Wear Invisalign Aligners?

St. Paul, MN – You want straighter teeth, and you want them now.

That’s understandable. We live in a “microwave oven” society where people don’t like to wait for things.

But moving your teeth into straighter alignment takes time, especially if you want permanent results.

That’s where Invisalign comes into play. By choosing the clear braces technology, you’ll be able to move your teeth into place gradually, allowing you to enjoy straighter teeth for life.

While Invisalign does have a 96% patient satisfaction rate, wearing the aligner trays is a commitment, just like wearing traditional braces.

You will be happy to know that you can remove your aligner trays anytime you want to, such as when you’re eating or – ahem – kissing someone.

But how long do you have to wear them overall?

Here are the specifics about Invisalign aligners that will tell you:

• How long you’ll be required to wear them each day
• And how long you’ll have to wear them until you can see a straighter, more beautiful smile looking back at you in the mirror.

Removable and (Nearly) Invisible Trays

Before we get to how long you need to wear your aligners, you might be wondering what the aligners look and feel like.

If you’ve ever bought one of those at-home teeth whitening trays, Invisalign aligners look a lot like that. They’re comprised of a thermoplastic material that is BPA-free and completely safe for adjusting your smile.

The aligners are nearly invisible, which means that people won’t notice you’re wearing them unless they look very closely. This is good news if you want to hide the fact that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

When you start treatment, you will be given a series of 18-30 aligners that you’ll change out every two weeks or so. Each tray is designed to make a slight adjustment to your tooth position.

By placing the aligner trays in your mouth, your teeth will gradually shift into place from their current position.

How Long to Wear Invisalign Each Day

While you can remove your Invisalign aligners any time you want to, you will be required to wear them from between 20 to 22 hours each day. The longer you wear them, the faster they’ll do their job of straightening your teeth.

Generally speaking, you will only want to remove them when eating, brushing your teeth or flossing. The rest of the time, you’ll want to keep them in so that you don’t have to wear them as long.

How Long Does Invisalign Take to Work?

The good news is that most adults only have to wear Invisalign for an average of 9-15 months. Compare that to traditional braces, which typically take two years or more to straighten your teeth.

Of course, the length of time you will be required to wear your aligners will depend on the state of your teeth, gums and jawbones and the severity of your case.

If you are a teen considering Invisalign, your case may vary, and only a qualified Invisalign professional will be able to give you an accurate length of time for proper treatment.

How to Shorten Your Treatment Time

While you can’t speed up your treatment time, you can ensure that your teeth are straightened in the most efficient manner possible by listening to your Orthodontist while following all instructions.

When you are handed your Invisalign trays, you will be given a thorough treatment plan that will include how to wear them, when to wear them and how to change up your trays to ensure your teeth are gradually moved into proper placement.

But just think. By this time in a year or so, and with diligent effort, you’ll be able to stop wearing Invisalign to reveal a beautiful smile you’ll love to show off to the world.

For more information on Invisalign and for a treatment program that’s designed specifically for you, schedule a consultation with an ORTHODONTIST today.

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