Do you have crooked teeth? You can talk to your dentist to improve the look and health of your smile with teeth-straightening cosmetic solutions from your local dental practice. Your dentist can provide efficient and effective treatments like Invisalign to get you a straighter and more beautiful smile.
You wear the custom-made clear plastic aligners to gradually shift the teeth into a better alignment. But you likely have many questions about the timeline of this cosmetic dentistry option. Read on to learn more about the Invisalign treatment as well as its long-lasting benefits.
How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?
The length of Invisalign teeth-straightening treatment will vary depending on each patient and their unique dental needs. The average patient will wear Invisalign for 12 to 18 months to align their smiles.
This timeline and the treatment’s success require compliance on behalf of the patient, who must wear their aligners every day for at least 22 hours per day. They should take the aligners out of their mouths when eating and completing their oral hygiene routines though.
The severity of the patient’s bite problems and their medical history can factor into how long the treatment will take. They will receive a new set of custom-made aligners to wear each week to advance their treatment’s progress. Learn more by scheduling a cosmetic consultation with your dentist today.
How Long Will Teeth Straightening Effects Last?
The straight smile you achieve with Invisalign can last permanently if you follow aftercare guidelines from your dentist. Invisalign pushes the teeth into your desired straighter alignment, but you will need to take care of your smile to ensure the teeth do not shift out of place.
Right after your teeth-straightening treatment will be the time when your smile is most susceptible to shifting into misalignment. To better preserve your newly straight smile, you should practice good oral hygiene and other healthy dental habits.
This will mean brushing your teeth at least twice per day and flossing daily. Visit your dentist for routine teeth cleanings and dental exams as well to maximize this preventative care.
Certain dental problems could encourage your teeth to shift their position so that you lose the cosmetic benefits from your Invisalign treatment.
Do I Need to Wear a Retainer After Invisalign?
After you finish Invisalign treatment, you will need to wear the retainer provided by your dentist every day as you did your Invisalign aligners. Otherwise, the teeth may start to shift out of their new, enhanced position.
Gradually, the teeth will stabilize and become more secure in their spots in the mouth. After nine to 12 months of frequent retainer usage, you may begin to wear retainers less often, such as only at bedtime. And eventually, you may only need to wear it a few times a week.
Consult with your dentist to learn the best aftercare to maintain your smile following cosmetic dental treatment. They can give you tips to care for both your Invisalign aligners and retainers too.