As of this month, our own Dr. Angera Ma is now Invisalign® certified! We’re very proud of her achievement and excited to take on more patients looking to straighten their smile at our Evanston dental clinic. Invisalign® continues to be a preferred orthodontic choice for people of all ages, largely because it’s virtually invisible and easy to use. Today, we’ll be answering one of the questions we hear most often from curious patients: how long does Invisalign take?

The Length of Treatment Can Vary

Most patients who undergo treatment with Invisalign® will complete their treatment within 12-18 months. Upon examining your smile in person, Dr. Angera Ma will be able to give you a timeline more specific to your own potential treatment. Some of the factors that can influence your treatment may include:

• Dental Crowding. Patients with smaller jaws may owe their misalignment to overcrowding. On the low end, minor crowding may be reversible in as little as 6 months. Those with very extreme crowding may even need additional orthodontic treatment before starting Invisalign®.
• Gaps in Teeth. Also known as diastema, dental gaps may be caused by tissue overgrowth. Gaps may also appear when the teeth are small compared to the patient’s jawbone. Those with moderate to severe gaps in their teeth can expect to spend at least 12 months wearing Invisalign®, with treatment extending further depending on their body’s responsiveness to the aligners.
• Your Age. Teens and adults alike can wear Invisalign®. In fact, it’s becoming more and more common for adults to straighten their teeth, whether they once had braces or never underwent orthodontic treatment. Teens will usually experience shorter treatment periods as adult teeth tend to be more solidified in place.
• Compliance with instructions. Most patients find it relatively easy to adjust to life wearing aligners, but for others it can be a challenge. An individual’s ability to follow instructions and keep track of their aligners can be major factors in terms of the timeline. Some patients who fail to wear their aligners the designated amount of time may even see their teeth begin to shift back into their original place—not ideal!

Book a Consultation at Our Evanston Dental Clinic

Are you ready to improve your smile with Invisalign® clear aligners? We’re now booking appointments with the newly certified Dr. Angera Ma. Contact us today to get started with a consultation. We hope to hear from you soon!