3 Factors That May Affect The Length Of Your Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign is quickly becoming a popular orthodontic option for straightening teeth. Specifically, many Invisalign patients enjoy the fact that the trays can be easily removed and aren't easily noticeable when worn. Furthermore, with the average treatment time lasting around 12 months, Invisalign is generally a faster means of achieving straighter teeth than traditional braces. Still, there are a few major factors that can either shorten or lengthen a person's required Invisalign treatment time.

How Often You Wear Your Aligners

Aside from the severity of your overall orthodontic case (the number of teeth you need to have shifted and how far they need to be moved), the biggest factor that will influence how long you wear your aligners is how often you wear them during treatment.

More than likely, your orthodontist will recommend that you wear your Invisalign trays at least 22 hours per day. The only times you should remove your aligners are when you're eating/drinking or brushing your teeth. Failure to wear your aligners as often as is recommended by your orthodontist will likely result in delayed results.

How Well You Care for Your Aligners

Another important factor that may influence how long your Invisalign treatment lasts is how well you take care of your plastic trays. You should take the time to brush your aligners and even soak them in a disinfecting solution daily. This will help to cut back on the risk of a bacterial infection that could prolong your treatment.

Furthermore, be on the lookout for damage to your trays and alert your orthodontist immediately if you notice any cracks in the aligners; if so, your trays will need to be replaced right away so as not to significantly prolong your treatment.

Whether or Not You Remember to Change Aligners

Finally, you'll need to remember when it's time to switch to a new set of aligners. If you forget, your treatment will be delayed. A good way to avoid this problem is to set alarms on your phone for the day you're supposed to switch to your next set of trays. On the same note, you should never switch to a new set unless without first being given the green light from your orthodontist. 

Straight teeth don't happen overnight, so you'll need to be patient with your new Invisalign trays. By wearing your aligners regularly, taking care of them, and switching to each new set on time, you'll be well on your way to the beautiful smile you've always wanted. For more help, contact a company like Southland Smiles, Ltd.


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