How Long Invisalign Takes: Complete Treatment Timeline Guide

Invisalign treatment on average takes 8 months to complete. We recommend that patients wear their aligners for 20-22 hours daily. Though every smile is unique, and your treatment length might vary based on what needs fixing.

At Dental & Wellness, the fastest we have completed a case is 7 weeks. This treatment was ideal for a patient who wanted straight teeth for his wedding that summer.

We have patients still under treatment at 2 years. They are undergoing complex orthodontic straightening with Invisalign aligners. One must remember that these are complex treatments requiring many aligners. To give readers some reassurance, my last 10 cases were completed within 8 months.

At Dental & Wellness, we've guided countless patients through their Invisalign journeys. Let's break down exactly what affects your treatment time and what you can expect. Remember, the length of your treatment depends on your dental needs. But, we'll give you the real scoop on timelines.

The longer your treatment takes, the higher the cost of treatment.

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Daily Wear Time for Invisalign

You need to wear your aligners 20-22 hours every day. That leaves just enough time to:

• Eat your meals
• Brush and floss
• Clean your aligners

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Tips for Maintaining Wear Time

Keep the aligners with you in the Invisalign case that will be provided at the start of your treatment. We normally advise patients to stick a label with their name and phone number on the back of the case. This way, if it is forgotten somewhere, they can be contacted, and the aligners retrieved.

Pregnant women, for example, may need to remove their aligners more frequently due to nausea or other discomforts. If this applies to you, try to keep track of your wear time and put the aligners back in as soon as possible to stay on track with your treatment.

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Your Invisalign Journey Timeline

Week 1-2

• Getting used to aligners
• Learning to insert and remove them
• Initial adjustment period
• First follow-up appointment

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Months 1-3

• First visible changes appear
• Building good wear habits
• Regular check-ups begin
• Progress tracking starts

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Months 4-6

• Major tooth movements begin
• Progress tracking continues
• Possible refinements discussion
• Bite changes become noticeable

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Months 7-12

• Continued progress monitoring
• Bite adjustments progress
• Planning for retention phase
• Final alignment achievement

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Insight: The journey from the dentist's and orthodontist's point of view is different. The dentist ensures that tags are placed appropriately. At Dental & Wellness, we like to place tags early if the condition of the teeth allows. We prefer to delay the IPR (interproximal reduction) to week 7 or 8. This allows for arch expansion and makes the IPR procedure somewhat easier.

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What Happens If You Wear Aligners Less Than 22 Hours?

If you don't wear your aligners, it will slow down your treatment. Even a few hours less each day can:

• Make your treatment take months longer
• Cause teeth to shift back
• Require more aligners than planned
• Create gaps in progress
• Require treatment adjustments

You can read more about what Invisalign does to your smile here.

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Factors That Change Your Treatment Length

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Teeth Crowding

More severe crowding needs more time to fix. Tight spaces between teeth need careful, slow movement to prevent damage. Treatment might take:

• Mild: 6-12 months
• Moderate: 12-18 months
• Severe: 18-24 months

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Gaps Between Teeth

Large gaps take 12-18 months to close. Your bone needs time to form as teeth move together. Factors include:

• Gap size
• Number of gaps
• Location of gaps
• Bone density

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Age

Younger patients often see faster results. Adult teeth move more slowly because:

• Denser bone structure
• Slower cell regeneration
• Completed jaw growth
• Existing dental work

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Bite Issues

Fixing bites adds 6-12 months to treatment time:

• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Open bites

Insight: We usually find that Children complete treatment faster compared to adults, Adults over 50 years of age take approximately 20% longer to complete their treatment and require good quality retention immediately at completion of treatment. We will discuss retainer option in another article as this article is specifically focused about treatment timeline.

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Real Patient Treatment Times

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Sarah's Journey – 9 months

• Mild to moderate crowding correction
• Perfect compliance record
• Achieved ideal results
• Weekly aligner changes

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James's Experience – 18 months

• Multiple gap closures
• Bite correction needed
• Worth the longer timeline
• Weekly aligner changes

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Emma's Story – 14 months

• Moderate crowding fixed
• Some missed time
• Beautiful final results
• Mixed change schedule

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Tracking Your Progress

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Weekly Progress Checks

• Take progress photos
• Record the number of hours you wear your aligners
• Note any discomfort
• Check aligner fit

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Monthly Assessments

Professional check-ups:

• Progress comparisons
• Treatment adjustments
• Timeline updates

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Digital Monitoring

• Scanning comparisons
• Treatment tracking
• Virtual check-ins
• Progress reports

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Tips for Staying on Schedule

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Morning Routine:

• Clean aligners thoroughly
• Check for proper fit
• Track daily wear time
• Plan meal times

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Evening Routine:

• Deep clean aligners
• Practice proper storage habits
• Log wear time
• Plan for the next day

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Insight:
You will be guided by your dentist or orthodontist to ensure appropriate wear times and visit intervals.

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Technology and Treatment Speed

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Modern Invisalign Technology

Modern Invisalign technology helps optimise treatment time through:

• 3D scanning precision
• Digital treatment planning
• Progress monitoring tools
• Smart material technology

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Lifestyle Considerations

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Work Schedule Management:

• Planning check-ups
• Plan to wear aligners during meetings
• Cleaning kit at work
• Professional situations

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Social Life Balance:

• Special occasion planning
• Dating with aligners
• Social dining tips
• Photography moments

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Sports and Activities:

• Protecting aligners
• Activity modifications
• Hydration habits
• Emergency care

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Maintaining Results

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Short-term Retention

• Full-time retainer wear
• Regular check-ups
• Hygiene routine
• Progress monitoring

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Long-term Maintenance

• Night-time wear
• Annual retention checks
• Replacement schedule
• Cleaning protocols

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Is it possible to wear the aligners in the gym?

Yes, it is possible to wear the aligners in the gym. To ensure that you wear the aligners for 22 hours a day, they must be worn during activities. They are robust and should be worn during activities.

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Can Invisalign aligners be worn instead of the sports guard?

We do not recommend Invisalign aligners to replace a professionally made sports guard. The sports guards are made from a different type of material. The softer material of sports guards is designed to absorb impact to the mouth. The Invisalign aligners, on the other hand, are designed to move your teeth.

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What’s the Average Invisalign Treatment Time?

The time it takes to complete the Invisalign process can vary depending on your specific case. At Dental & Wellness, the average treatment lasts 8 months. This is shorter than the worldwide range of 3 to 24 months, which varies from person to person.

Simple cases like minor spacing or slight crowding may take only 2-6 months, while more complex cases requiring major adjustments might take longer, even up to 24 months.

If you’re curious about your eligibility and how long your treatment might last, don’t hesitate to get in touch for a consultation.

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Can You Complete Invisalign in 6 Months?

Yes, but only for cases involving minor adjustments like closing small gaps or correcting slight crowding. For quick results, compliance is key. You’ll need to wear your aligners for the recommended 22 hours every day.

If you’re a teenager or adult considering a straighter smile, book a consultation with an experienced provider to find out if this timeline is possible for you.

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How Much Does 6-Month Invisalign Cost?

In London, short Invisalign treatments cost between £2,500 and £3,500. The price depends on factors like case complexity and how long Invisalign takes for your teeth.

Shorter treatments are typically less expensive than full-length ones, but it’s still important to understand the treatment plan fully before committing.

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Do I Need to Wear Invisalign Aligners Forever?

Not forever, but you’ll need a retainer after treatment to keep your teeth aligned. Once your teeth reach their ideal positions, the aligners will be replaced by retainers worn nightly. This ensures your new straight smile doesn’t fade or shift back.

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Can I Leave Aligners Out for 3 Hours?

No, it’s not recommended. Aligners must be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours daily to ensure progress. Every hour you skip wear time slows the movement of your teeth and could extend the treatment duration. Stick to the recommended 22 hours per day to keep your treatment on track.

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How Long Do 14 Trays Take?

With weekly tray changes, 14 aligner sets usually take 3.5 months. If you switch trays every two weeks, it’ll take closer to 7 months. Your dentist will personalise your treatment plan based on your unique case and goals.

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Can I Clean Invisalign in a Dishwasher?

Absolutely not. The aligners are made of thermoplastic and will distort with heat. For cleaning, use cold or room-temperature water instead.

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Can I Wash Invisalign with Boiling Water?

No, boiling water will damage the aligners. To keep them clean, wash with dishwashing soap or Invisalign cleaning crystals, which are specially designed for this purpose.

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How Do I Clean My Aligners Daily?

Clean your aligners before wearing them each time.

Here’s how:

• Use Invisalign cleaning crystals or denture cleaners.
• Alternatively, mild dishwashing soap works too.
• Always rinse with cold water—never hot.

Good cleaning habits maintain both the oral hygiene of your teeth and the integrity of the aligners.

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