How long does Invisalign treatment take?
Mild cases, 6 to 9 months. Complete cases, 12 to 18. That is the short answer; the long one is that you write the calendar with your hours of wear.
What sets the duration
The diagnosis: how far each tooth has to move and in which direction. The ClinCheck® plan turns that into a number of aligners; at a change every 7–14 days, that number is the initial calendar.
What makes it longer
Wearing the aligners less than 22 hours a day. Teeth move while there is pressure; if the aligner is in its case, there is no pressure. Skipping check-ups also lengthens it: if a tooth falls behind, the next aligner won't fit and the plan has to be adjusted.
Refinements
At the end of the plan a short extra series to fine-tune details is common. It does not mean something went wrong: it is part of the method, and Comprehensive plans allow for it.
How to know where you are
Each aligner is numbered. If you are on 14 of 28, you are halfway. At each check-up the mouth is compared against the plan and the pace is confirmed.
- — Align Technology — estimated duration by plan type and aligner change frequency.
