Crooked teeth can make you feel self-conscious about your smile’s appearance. But dental misalignment may also put your oral health at risk. Protect your dental health by improving oral hygiene and amending bite problems with teeth-straightening treatment from your dentist.
Your dentist can use Invisalign to give you the straighter smile of your dreams. These custom-made plastic trays will gradually push teeth into your desired straighter position in your smile when worn as directed.
Because you do not see instant results with Invisalign treatment, you might wonder about the timeline of this cosmetic dental solution. Read on to discover details about the longevity of Invisalign treatment, both during the therapy and regarding your results.
How Long Do I Need to Wear Invisalign?
The length of your Invisalign treatment will depend on your specific dental needs. Smaller alignment concerns in your smile might only need a few months of teeth-straightening treatment. But larger malocclusions might require more time.
You can anticipate wearing Invisalign for 6 to 18 months to complete your treatment. Your dentist can evaluate your existing dental structure and smile aesthetic goals during a consultation appointment to give you a good idea of how long your specific treatment will last.
During your treatment, wear your Invisalign as directed. This means placing the plastic trays over your teeth and keeping them there for at least 22 hours a day. You can remove them while eating to avoid staining the aligners and making a mess. But you should wear them during sleep and the rest of the day as much as you can.
Failure to wear Invisalign as directed can disrupt your treatment. You can then see delays in achieving your desired results, meaning you will need to wear Invisalign for a longer period than you might have anticipated. Comply with the treatment to see optimal results from Invisalign.
Will Invisalign Benefits Last Forever?
Once you finish Invisalign treatment, the cosmetic dental benefits can last a lifetime. However, you will need to take action to preserve the effects of Invisalign on your smile. Your dentist will provide you with retainers to wear over your teeth just as often as you wear Invisalign.
These appliances keep your teeth in place in their newly straightening position. The retainer allows your teeth to fuse into place properly. Otherwise, the teeth will shift back to their original position.
While your teeth can push back if you skip wearing your retainer for a day, long-term disuse of this appliance can mean significant misalignment of your smile. Do not force your retainer back into your mouth if you meet a great deal of resistance. Contact your dentist about any changes in your smile after Invisalign treatment.
You might need further dental intervention to make sure your smile is straight again. To avoid this extra dental work and resulting costs, follow aftercare guidelines from your dentist as directed. Then you can enjoy the straight smile of your dreams for as long as possible.