With all that you have going on every day, is there really time to straighten your teeth?
There’s a lot on your plate. Is adding Invisalign going to make everything topple? While braces as an adult once felt like an impossibility, it’s no longer just a matter of metal brackets and wires. Alternate systems straighten teeth without the same inconveniences or visibility – but there are still some extra steps involved.
Learning just how long adult orthodontics take will help you decide whether treatment will be right for you. Remember not to just consider the negatives of treatment, but also consider the results you’ll be working toward. You need to determine whether the time spent on orthodontics is worth the straighter smile, heightened confidence, and improved oral health. Most patients? They’d do it all over again if they had to. Keep reading to consider whether you’d fall into that camp.
Invisalign is especially unique because there aren’t brackets or wires involved. You wear clear aligners over your teeth, changing them out to keep your straightening moving forward. The aligners are completely removable, so it’s easy to eat or drink or clean your teeth. This is all to say that the time you spend in Invisalign is probably going to feel a lot shorter than the same time spent in metal braces would, simply because there’s fewer demands on you as a patient.
On average, Invisalign takes around 12 months for adults. You’ll need to switch to new aligners every two weeks, and wear them for 20-22 hours per day (taking them out only to eat or brush).
Six Month Smiles uses clear brackets and wires to efficiently move front teeth. It’s only appropriate for patients with minor malocclusion and good bites overall. If your front teeth look crooked, but your teeth generally fit together properly, then you’re probably a candidate. (Remember that if your crookedness is mild, an option like veneers might actually be best).
The treatment length is in the name – most cases take around six months to complete.
If you’ve ever considered straightening your teeth, it’s worth learning more about the process. Schedule a consultation and Dr. Barton will tell you more about what might be best for your teeth, and the first steps toward straightening. We’re here to help!
