How Long Does Invisalign Take? A Guide to Straightening Your Smile

Everyone wants a beautiful smile with straight, pearly white teeth. Unfortunately, not everyone has naturally straight teeth. If you had malocclusion (crooked teeth) in the past, your only options would have been metal braces with uncomfortable wires and brackets. Besides being bulky and unsightly, metal braces make it hard to practice optimal oral care and eat your favorite foods. Today, there’s a better solution: Invisalign clear aligners.

About Invisalign Clear Aligners

Invisalign was the pioneer of clear aligner therapy. Introduced in the late 1990s, Invisalign clear aligners revolutionized the field of orthodontics, giving patients more options than ever for straightening their teeth. Clear aligners are transparent and ultra-thin, giving patients a comfortable, discreet solution for achieving a straighter smile. They are made with a flexible thermoplastic material that is BPA-free. 

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign aligners don’t rely on rubber bands, wires, and brackets to straighten your teeth. Rather, these aligners fit neatly over your teeth, similar to the thin mouthguard some athletes use. Like braces, clear aligners slowly and gently move your teeth to a straighter position. Each set of aligners is worn for approximately two weeks before advancing to the next set. 

Invisalign: More Than Just Crooked Teeth

While Invisalign was created to address malocclusion (crooked teeth), these aligners are also helpful in addressing bite issues, including:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Openbite

Invisalign can also help correct teeth with gaps between them and overcrowded teeth. 

A Customized Solution

Before you even begin your Invisalign journey, you will see what your finished smile will look like. Your aligners are made custom just for you, ensuring a smile you can be proud of. 

Not an Overnight Process (But Faster Than Braces)

You can’t expect an overnight success story with Invisalign clear aligners. However, most people finish the Invisalign process within 6 to 18 months. This is about half the time it takes for people to straighten their teeth with metal braces. 

Say Goodbye to Food Restrictions

One of the main complaints about metal braces is that people have to change their diet to accommodate the appliances. For example, eating corn on the cob is a mess because the corn gets stuck in the braces. Hard foods like chips are a challenge because they can damage the brackets and wires. With Invisalign, you can remove your aligners to eat. Therefore, enjoying your favorite foods is easier than ever. 

A Removable Teeth Straightening Solution

One of the most appreciated benefits of transparent teeth braces is that they are removable. This is a huge consideration if you ever wore or knew someone who wore metal braces. Because they are removable, it makes it easier to eat and thoroughly clean your teeth. 

Invisalign Requires a Commitment

Although Invisalign aligners are removable, you still have to wear them for at least 22 hours a day. You should only remove them to eat, brush and floss, and clean them. 

Invisalign Treatment in Cincinnati, OH 

Cincinnati, OH, residents can contact Patel and Dornhecker Dental Wellness Center for quality Invisalign services. Call [phone2] to schedule an appointment.