How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

If you’re considering Invisalign in Durham from Smile First Dentist, you may be wondering how long it will take to correct your smile. In this blog, we’ll discuss how long treatment takes, the most important thing you can do to speed up your Invisalign treatment, and how to care for your teeth and your aligners during your treatment.

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Every Patient Is Different, But Most Treatments Take About A Year

After you’ve been approved for Invisalign, Dr. Jenny Citineni can give you an estimate for how long your treatment will take. On average, most patients will need treatment for about 12 months.

However, if you have minor problems with your teeth alignment, your treatment could be as short as 6 months. If you have more complex orthodontic issues, your treatment could take 18 months or longer. It all depends on your unique situation.

How Much Do I Need To Wear My Invisalign Aligners?

As much as possible. Ideally, you should be wearing your Invisalign aligners for 22+ hours per day. That means you’ll only remove them to eat and drink, to brush and floss, and to soak them once at night before bed.

The more you wear your aligners, the faster your teeth will shift, and the more likely it is that your treatment will be completed on time. In contrast, if you’re not good about wearing your aligners consistently, your treatment will be delayed. Along with slowing down your results, delays and alterations to your treatment plan could lead to additional costs and fees.

How Do I Take Care Of Invisalign Aligners?

Are you wondering how to keep your aligners and your teeth healthy during Invisalign treatment? Luckily for you, it’s easy!

Brush your teeth, rinse aligners after meals – You need to brush your teeth to remove food particles, and you should rinse your aligners to get rid of bacteria buildup. This helps keep your aligners fresh, and also reduces your risk of tooth decay.
Keep your aligners in the case when not wearing them – Leaving your aligners in the open air could cause more bacteria buildup. You’ll also be more likely to accidentally damage or lose an aligner, which could delay your treatment. So whenever your aligners aren’t in your mouth, keep them in the case.
Soak your aligners in Invisalign crystals at night – Invisalign crystals kill bacteria and keep your aligners clear and fresh. Put some water in a glass, add your aligners, add the crystals, then stir. Leave them for 15-30 minutes, then rinse out your aligners and put them back in before bed. That’s it!

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Are You A Good Candidate For Invisalign In Durham? Find Out With An Appointment!

If you’re interested in Invisalign in Durham for yourself or for your child, Dr. Jenny can help. As an Invisalign expert, she can help you explore your options, and see if clear aligner treatment is right for your situation. We’re always accepting new patients, so contact us online or give us a call at (919) 493-2569 to learn more, and take the first steps toward a straighter, healthier smile.

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