More than 5 million people have been Invisalign patients, with almost a million more people getting an aligner every year.

Many people wonder, how long do you have to wear Invisalign? The answer to that question comes down to your specific needs.

Everyone has different dental needs, so the time you will be wearing Invisalign can be longer or shorter than average. That being said, most people don’t have to wear them much longer than average. If you are wondering what could change that, keep reading.

To start with, you can expect that your treatment will take between 6 and 12 months. Some treatments can take up to 18 months and rarely 2 years. These are rare cases, and speaking to your orthodontist will get you an accurate estimate of the time based on your needs.

1. Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth, or overcrowded teeth, is when there isn’t enough space for your teeth. This causes teeth to be pushed together, but not aligned. Some teeth can be pushed back or sit forward of the others, making your smile uneven.

If you suffer from this problem, Invisalign can help you. Most people who have this problem will complete their treatment in the standard 6 to 12 months. If you have teeth that are too close together and are causing other health problems, the time it takes may increase. Some crowded teeth cases take up to 24 months.

Speak to your orthodontist about the possible timetable for your treatment. If you follow their directions, the amount of time you will be undergoing the Invisalign process will be easy to estimate. Only a trained dental professional can assess whether or not your teeth are too crowded.

2. A Gap Between Teeth

A gap is when there is a space between your teeth. This is most noticeable when it is between the front teeth, but a gap can be anywhere in your mouth. Using a clear aligner can close the gap and bring your teeth together for a better smile.

The amount of time it takes to treat a gap depends entirely upon the size of the gap. If a gap is 6mm it isn’t uncommon for treatment to take 2 years. If the gap is less so too will be the treatment time. Gaps can return if you don’t continue treatment and follow your orthodontist’s instructions.

You will have to continue some form of dental treatment to make sure your gap doesn’t come back. Most of the time this will mean that you will have to wear a retainer. If you have any questions about this speak with your orthodontist.

3. Adults and Children

It does not take any longer for a teen or an adult to see results, in most cases. There are exceptions to this, but for the most part, the time will not change whether or not you are an adult or a child. This is assuming that everyone involved follows their treatment plan.

Children will have to wait to begin treatment until their adult teeth have grown in. For most children, this occurs by the age of 13 but can come earlier. Speak to your orthodontist or dentist about whether or not your child is old enough to begin Invisalign treatment.

Adults can begin using a clear aligner anytime but should begin with a consultation. Make sure you work with the right dental office for your needs. Those with experience using clear aligners are going to be able to make a more accurate estimate of the time it will take for your treatment to be complete.

You can check out the comparison chart to see what Invisalign offers versus metal braces. Clear aligners don't work for every problem, but it does cover most of the issues that this method has been used for in the past. But that doesn’t cover how long they can take to work.

With traditional metal braces, you can expect to wear them for 1 to 3 years. You will also have to adjust your eating habits and cleaning routine. This method can be the only answer if your teeth are significantly crowded beyond what Invisalign aligners can fix.

One of the best ways to make sure that your treatment time isn’t greater than expected is to wear your Invisalign all the time. If you aren’t eating or brushing your teeth make sure that you are wearing your aligners at least 22 hours per day.

Failing to wear the aligners as directed will increase the length of time your treatment takes. Also, remember to brush and floss, use the chewies, they can help to get the aligners in better. In the end, you can’t rush the work of an aligner, but you can make sure that you stay on schedule.

How long do you have to wear Invisalign? As you can see the answer to this question depends more on your mouth than it does the clear aligner. Millions of people all around the world are currently using an aligner to get the smile they want.

Clear aligners aren't appropriate for every condition. Remember that consulting with a professional is the best way to begin your journey to a straight, beautiful smile. The Invisalign company has made great strides in expanding what their product treats.

If you thought about Invisalign years ago and decided it wouldn’t work for you, you might want to give it another chance. Whether or not you decide to undergo Invisalign treatment is up to you and your orthodontist.

If you live in or around Georgetown, MA, Georgetown Family Dentistry can help you. Our staff of professionals are highly trained and experienced. Having a smile that you aren’t proud of can affect your life in a lot of ways. Don’t be embarrassed about your smile, get it fixed.

Make an appointment and speak to one of our doctors. They will be able to answer the question of how long do you have to wear Invisalign. It’s time to get your smile out of the dark and into the open so that everyone can see. Transform your smile, and transform your life with Invisalign.