How long is this going to take? It is probably the most common question patients ask us. And honestly, it’s a fair question, but the answer’s not always a simple one. At Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, we see people of all ages, each with their own unique smile and set of problems to sort out. And because we’re all pretty different, there just isn’t one answer that fits everyone. Invisalign offers a clear and removable orthodontic solution that allows patients to straighten their teeth comfortably while maintaining flexibility with eating, brushing, and daily activities.
Here in Lake Forest, how long Invisalign takes for most adults and kids varies wildly depending on how much work needs to be done. If your issue is pretty mild, like just a bit of crowding or some small gaps, it can take anywhere from as little as 6 months to sort it out. But if things are a bit more complicated, say, you have a pretty serious bite disorder or some really crowded teeth, then it can take up to 24 months or even longer to get everything sorted out. It all depends on what’s going on with your teeth and jaw. The Damon braces system uses self-ligating technology designed to reduce friction, improve comfort, and promote more natural tooth movement for efficient and effective orthodontic treatment.
We always like to let our patients know that Invisalign only works if you wear the aligners. And to be honest, that means you need to wear them for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. We know life gets in the way, but the truth is if you don’t wear them enough, you’re going to end up taking longer than you need to. If you really want to make sure you stay on track, the best thing is to wear your aligners every single day, and look after them properly too.
You’ll get a brand new set of aligners every few weeks, each one’s a bit different from the last, and they all work together to gently nudge your teeth into the right position. We tend to book check-in appointments every 6 to 8 weeks to make sure everything’s on track. These appointments aren’t a big deal, but they’re really important. We can catch any problems early on, and make any changes we need to if things aren’t going according to plan. There are a few other factors that can affect how long Invisalign takes to work for each individual patient. Like, if you’re a bit younger, your bones are still growing, so that can make things move a bit faster. And of course, how well you follow our care guidelines is also a big deal. If you miss checkups or lose an aligner or two, it’s going to slow things down.
At Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry we use digital imaging to come up with a super-precise treatment plan right from the get-go. That way we can give you a good idea of what to expect and how long the whole thing is going to take. Before we even start, we want to make sure you know what you’re getting into and feel comfortable with the whole process. It’s also worth pointing out that just because you’ve finished your aligner trays, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re done. A lot of patients need to wear a retainer after treatment to keep their teeth where they are. And don’t make the mistake a lot of people do, skip the retainer phase, and your teeth will just drift back over time and undo all the progress you’ve made.
If you’re thinking about getting Invisalign and want to know what’s in store for you, we’re always happy to sit down with you, take a look at your teeth and give you a better idea of what your treatment might look like.