How long does Invisalign take? and everything you need to know

Misalignment of teeth can be troublesome not only for your aesthetic but also for your quality of life, making your eating or speaking harder, sometimes it can make pain or discomfort in your mouth. As a result, there are many solutions dealing with misaligned teeth with the most common one being teeth alignment, one of the modern ones is alignment through Invisalign. This article will answer most of the concerns about using Invisalign as a solution for teeth alignment.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative method for teeth alignment, using sets of custom-made removable clear plastic aligners to gently move a patient’s teeth into a preferred position rather than traditional braces consisting of wires and brackets.

Invisalign uses advanced 3D imaging technologies of your teeth and mouth cavity to create custom-tailored aligners made from BPA-free clear plastics. These aligners will gradually apply gentle pressure to your teeth, guiding them to preferred conditions. The orthodontist will begin with the first set of aligners for two weeks, then your teeth will be scanned to refine a new set of aligners which need to be worn for another two weeks. These cycles will be done thoroughly until your teeth are completely moved to the designated position.

Currently, there are two types of Invisalign: Standard Invisalign for standard teeth alignment, and Invisalign GO for patients who require mild alignment or patients who had previously taken teeth alignment. There are also Vivera retainers that are made in the same way as Invisalign. 

What made Invisalign different from traditional braces?

Compared with traditional braces, Invisalign is better in terms of aesthetics because clear aligners, even if they are not totally invisible, are a lot less visible than wire and brackets. Invisalign is also removable, making it easier to brush and floss your teeth, or to completely remove if you need to. Invisalign also eliminated problems with traditional braces including falling brackets, broken wires, or misappropriate tension settings. Also, the cost of Invisalign is not much different from traditional braces.

Meanwhile, Invisalign comes with some limitations, including removing them during drinking and eating, making eating some food come with tooth soreness, and requiring extensive cleaning and care. Invisalign also recommends you wear the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day for maximum effectivity, and Invisalign may not fit for some complex orthodontics malfunctions that still require traditional braces for an alignment.

As a result, Invisalign is recommended for patients with crowding and spacing issues, as well as some mild and moderate bite issues including open bite, overbite, underbite, and crossbite. Also, patients with younger age are more beneficial from Invisalign as the teeth of younger patients are more adaptable to movement and re-alignment.

How long does Invisalign take?

The duration of Invisalign treatment varies depending on individual cases, such as the severity of the misalignment and the patient’s compliance with wearing the aligners as instructed. On average, the treatment typically lasts anywhere from 6 to 18 months, with most cases falling within the 12 to 18 months range. For milder misalignments, treatment times might be shorter, while more complex cases may require more extended treatment periods. 

Your orthodontist will provide a more accurate estimate of the treatment duration after the initial consultation and evaluation. Also, Consistency in wearing the aligners as directed is crucial not only for the success but also for the duration of the treatment. Patients who diligently follow the wear schedule and guidelines are likely to achieve their desired results more efficiently and result in lesser treatment time.

Invisalign at Phyathai 1 International

Dental Center of Phyathai 1 International is a certified Invisalign Center with iTero 3D imaging systems to help aid our highly experienced orthodontist in planning, applying, and adjusting aligners throughout the process, and we are ready to provide you with Invisalign, Invisalign GO, and Vivera retainers system. Dental Center of Phyathai 1 International is also capable of traditional braces alignment and orthodontics surgery for complex cases.  

If you are considering aligning your teeth, our specialist from Dental Center at Phyathai 1 Hospital is ready to deal with it, as we are open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM on weekends and 8 PM on weekdays. We recommend taking a reservation for a consultant by phone at number (+66)2-201-4600 ext.3415-21 or by E-mail at [email protected]